Cubes in the Larger Context - Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development - page 318

Throughout the topic you have seen some examples of query tools, but in this sec-
tion, we will have a look at other tools that are available.
You can divide the tools in two major groups: tools with a developer focus and tools
with an end user focus.
Developer-focused tools
Many of the available tools require development skills to really be an effective user.
They are targeted to developers in the sense that they plug in to existing develop-
ment tools and, in some cases, support build scripts to deploy assets to different
environments. The developer-focused tools allow for the biggest possibilities when
it comes to customizing the created reports; in general, you can get pixel-perfect re-
ports.
Microsoft provides two different tools that have more of a developer focus: Reporting
Services and PerformancePoint Services in SharePoint.
Using Reporting Services to query your cube
In Chapter 5 , Querying Your Cube , you tried out Reporting Services against a cube.
Using Reporting Services, you have the ability to write reports in SQL Server Data
Tools and can add all kinds of visualizations to your reports including charts, maps,
and gauges. Another tool that allows you to create reports is Report Builder that you
can see in the next screenshot. This tool is targeted more towards end users, with
simpler menus. Report Builder can easily be installed on a client computer through
the reporting portal—something that makes it easy to distribute the tool to end users.
However, my experience after introducing Report Builder is that it is too hard to use
for most business users.
The biggest advantage with Reporting Services is the fact that you can really get
pixel-perfect reports. In a Reporting Services report you can control every single ob-
ject; you can even add code to the report that changes the report during the render-
ing. Reporting Services also allows you to subscribe to reports through the function-
ality called subscriptions.
You can add a subscription that will send a report through e-mail or other delivery
methods. Reporting Services also allows you to embed reports in your own applic-