A company's workforce should focus on what's really important, while IT systems and software increasingly take care of routine tasks. This saves resources and makes daily work easier.
Particularly data handling offers great potential for optimization and automation.
Appropriate software is mandatory to achieve this goal. It should import and organize data, create reports and analyses, and distribute the results in a specific way. Ideally, this all should happen fully automated, without time-consuming manual intervention. Distribution can include the deployment at a fixed location as well as the delivery via email or other ways.
The ultimate goal: saving time, increasing efficiency, reducing potential errors. The latter occurs primarily in manual creation and distribution of reports. What requirements does software have to meet in order to achieve these goals? And how do such solutions look like? Let's take a look.
Requirements: What a helpful system must do
Data access and use
In order to determine the requirements, you need to know where the data are located and what format is used. A helpful software has to be able to address, process and analyze a wide variety of data formats. The following are just some of the possible data sources:
- Simple files (.xlsx, .csv, ...) as data export of another system
- Entire databases such as Microsoft SQL Server, etc.
- Web based data, accessible e.g. via REST APIs
In addition, it has to be possible to combine data from different sources, using them in a single report. In other words, a cumulative approach. Ideally, without time-consuming intermediate conversion.
Individual design of report layouts
Looking at CSV files or results from SQL queries is draining and requires a lot of imagination. And, let's face it, no one pays attention to incomprehensible or simply unattractive reports. It's mandatory to present data in an appealing way - only then the information will be perceived intuitively and immediately.
Decision makers handle and process data on a daily basis. In order to do so efficiently, a tool needs a convenient, easy to use designer. The designer enables preparation and visualization, tailored to the users' requirements and wishes. This tool also needs to support a corresponding variety of visualizations (graphics, diagrams, tables).
Simple administration and management interface
Administration of individual reports, as well as configuration of different data sources should be possible by using a simple, modern and intuitive interface. A mechanism for controlling different user rights is required, as well as the ability to distribute reports in a scheduled and automated manner.
Performance/scaling and integration options
The larger a company is, the more software suites as well as data formats will have to be handled on a daily basis. Getting all results successfully under one roof is a challenging task for IT. Well-established routines of staff and departments come into play, using targeted applications and requiring additional reports on the go - ideally without having to step outside their familiar environment. The system of choice must not only be able to efficiently handle system resources, but also has to support the integration of reports into existing applications.
Reporting system as solution
How can we approach these different requirements? Ideally, with one central tool. combit Report Server is a well-established, out-of-the-box enterprise reporting solution. It completely fulfills the above-mentioned requirements and adapts to growing demands through continuous further development.
Modern interface
Deployment of the Report Server is fast, it only requires installation on a Windows operating system, like a local server or a machine in the cloud. Docker containers are supported as well. Configuration is done via a modern, web-based interface, accessible through browsers such as Google Chrome, MS Edge, Firefox or Safari on different systems like Windows, Linux, Android or iOS. Cross-platform use becomes a breeze.
Data sources
For the Report Server, it doesn't matter where data come from or what format is present. It connects to SQL-based data sources such as Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, MySQL and Oracle. Also supported are web data sources like OData or REST, and database drivers like ODBC or OLE DB. File-based formats like CSV/Excel, JSON, XML complete the range of options.
Choose data source for reports and analyses
A wizard guides the user through the configuration of the data source. When connecting to a Microsoft SQL Server, the connection data such as address and associated access information is actually all that's needed. After that, many further details can be set. For example, whether you want to query the entire database or only a part of it - limited to table, free SQL queries or even stored procedures.
Wizard for configuration of data sources
Designer: Report templates
Report layout templates are defined in the Designer. There are two variants to choose from:
- Simple report designs can be created and modified ad-hoc directly in the browser.
- More elaborate and complex layouts will be implemented using the Report Server Designer. This option allows the user to generate combinations of table views, charts, graphs, barcodes, whole PDF documents, control data filters with report parameters and many more.
Two variants of report layout templates
In the report template, you define the data sources to be used. This allows you to specify multiple data sources for a report, even if they originate from different systems.
Add data source in a report template
Distribute export formats and reports automatically
The Report Server offers numerous export options - including document-based formats like PDF, Word and Excel. Other formats are graphics such as PNG and SVG to embed reports into existing dashboards. Individual settings can be made for each export profile:
Configure export profile in Report Server
Requesting a report via the Report Server's browser-based user interface is always possible. Scheduling automatically generated reports is easy:
- Time triggers are supported. Determine a unique point in time or an interval at which a report needs to be generated.
- Decide on the follow-up action: What needs to be made available where, or sent to whom and how? Choose between sending e-mails via SMTP, or copying to any accessible directory – even network shares. Also possible are various upload variants like FTP, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox.
Load balancing with Worker Services
The Report Server delivers reports on demand at any time without delay - thanks to a sophisticated system of load balancing, especially when query volumes are unusually high, or while the server is exposed to additional workloads. It automatically loads off report generation processing power to so-called worker services, if needed. Those take over the generation of reports, possible delays are bypassed.
Integration and control with REST API
As shown above, a large part of day-to-day requirements are easily implemented through the Report Server's interface. To leave the already existing system and familiar workflows untouched, a highly integrative solution takes over additional reporting. To save resources, integration must be seamless.
All this is possible with the Report Server – just take advantage of the REST API, which is commonly used in programming languages such as C++, Java, .NET, etc. The REST API is used to retrieve reports, for example. Especially for .NET, source code examples are provided, showing how to retrieve reports as well as how to edit data sources, report templates and scheduled reports.
Get to know more
The Report Server offers a lot more, in regards to efficient and flexible data handling and easy, individual reporting:
Leading the development at combit as Managing Director. Microsoft .NET enthusiast driving innovation & agile project management. Used to be a physicist in my first life. I love hiking and vanlife.
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