Information Dashboard – SSRS 2008 R2
If you are already running SQL Server and don’t have too many needs, you can create a dashboard using SQL Server Reporting Services R2.
Advantages:
- No additional cost.
- Able to visualize data in a table: Indicators, sparklines, data bars and gauges can be used as part of a table.
- Able to drill-through to existing reports
- Can access KPIs from SSAS cubes
- Many maps, gauges and charts
- Able to embed reports/dashboard within a web page or SharePoint
With some creativity:
- Example of custom Gantt Chart: http://blog.summitcloud.com/2009/11/ssrs-2008-gantt-charts/
- Example of custom Heat Map:
Thomas Williams: SSRS Heat Maps,
Teo Lachev: Heat Maps as Reports - Example of using Visio and SSRS Map Reports for Store Layouts http://blog.oraylis.de/2010/06/using-visio-and-ssrs-map-reports-for-store-layouts-etc/
Disadvantages:
- Unable to dynamically set visibility of parameters (in SSRS, can do it in custom app)
- Unable to move the parameters from the top header to right or left (in SSRS, can do it in custom app)
- Unable to rename Excel sheets on export
- Unable to create dynamic alerts but could schedule Standard or Data-Driven subscription as a workaround that would run on a regular basis.
- And more: http://www.simple-talk.com/sql/reporting-services/ten-common-sql-server-reporting-services-challenges-and-solutions/
