Report Builder - Software as a Service model SaaS

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Report Builder - Software as a Service model SaaS

ddesai-585412

SSChasing Mays

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January 10, 2008 at 11:43 pm

#185515

Hi
We have a software as a service model. SaaS.
The user logons to our website and run our existing standard reports which can be static.
They cannot build their own filters or build their own reports.
I believe the end users who don't have the Microsoft Business Intelligence Studio on their computer can launch the Ad-Hoc "Report Builder" using Click Once application that will provide the front end interface for drag and drop.
Let me know if I have understood this correctly or Business Intelligence studio will be required to be installed at client end to use the Ad-Hoc Report Builder.
Or if there is a better way of implementing d-hoc reports in Software as a Service model.
Regards
Devesh.

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ddesai-585412 SSChasing Mays Points: 608 More actions · Answer 1

Alright I got this one

The application that launches is the front end it does not require programming.

Here is more if anyone would like to respond

How do I use Report Builder in a Software as a Service Model (SaaS) or (SaS)

We have a common database for all users but the data that gets pulled should get seperated based on their login details and the hierarchy.

Like manager A should get data only for the employees under A or not the whole company.

Also are there any APIs for Microsoft AdHoc Report Builder?

Any help highly appreciated

Jim Russell-390299 SSCrazy Eights Points: 9333 More actions · Answer 2

Let me admit that I don't use Report Builder (and can't spell SaS). (You may want to stop reading...)

Instead, for similar requirements I publish a general use Excel workbook that imports external data from SQL Server views (or functions or stored procedures). On the server, I keep a user table where I can store, for an authorized user, their login id (Windows authentication) and report parameters like the organization code prefix which they are allowed to see. (The org codes we use include the hierarchy in the code; the more significant digits the smaller the scope. )

The views typically pass the appropriate arguments from the User table to invoke a corresponding user defined table returning function.

The Excel query parameters specify refresh on open, and clear on save, so that a user without a valid user id and User table entry sees no data in the worksheet, and can refresh the Excel query only for the organization structure specified for them in the user table.

ddesai-585412 SSChasing Mays Points: 608 More actions · Answer 3

Thanks Jim

Unfortunately I will have to try and make Report Builder work with our web application

I did get an article

Launching Report Builder from a Winform or Webform Application in SQL Reporting Services 2005

http://blogs.msdn.com/bimusings/archive/2005/11/02/488141.aspx

I am currently looking to see if there are any APIs by which we can pass parameters to the Report Builder.

We only need to bring information from a particular company stored in the database.

Currently it hits the database and brings everything

Sarah Johnston SSC Enthusiast Points: 133 More actions · Answer 4

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, I believe you either need to look at the data source view (if you only ever need 1 particular company) or row-level security and filters (if which company you need depends on who is logged in). I am currently struggling with the later, but the MS tutorial about it is here:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms365343.aspx

ddesai-585412 SSChasing Mays Points: 608 More actions · Answer 5

Hi Sarah

Its always nice to see response to a query.

In the report model I was able to create a filter such that it pulls only from one company.

What I was looking to do was pass the 'company name' which is stored in one of the database tables at run time to the Report Builder model such that only data from that company comes up.

Under Data Source Views, (Solution Explorer in Visual Studio) I right clicked on the table diagram and selected 'Replace Table with a new Named Query'

But I would still not be able to pass parameters to the Report Model at Run Time based on values stored in a database table.

I feel the authentication is based on the server credentials.

We cannot do authentication based on data stored in one of the tables in database.

So what I trying to do is not going to work. 🙁 :unsure:

DD

thatsastounding SSC Journeyman Points: 79 More actions · Answer 6

Any luck on this front? I am looking into doing the same thing. Regretfully, at this time I have nothing to offer.

Dave

ddesai-585412 SSChasing Mays Points: 608 More actions · Answer 7

No man

I don't think it is possible, there is no way we can pass a parameter when we click on 'Report Builder' button.

Sigh....I hope microsoft comes up with it in their future versions

vkoripalli Valued Member Points: 67 More actions · Answer 8

Are there any enhancements 2008 R2 that help with this problem. I have the exact same problem.

umashankard SSC Rookie Points: 47 More actions · Answer 9

You can create views which will have the condition in it to apply the company ID. Any queries that you build over these views will retrieve data only for that particular company.