Delivering/Installing/Deploying 2008 SSRS Reports - Best method

Question

I need to deliver about 100 reports to different clients. The usual method is using Install Shield to create a .msi package. I am considering rsscripter. I am curious if there are any other programs or options used to deploy reports to client report servers. Any input appreciated! Thanks! 2008 and above.

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Linda

Answer 1

I am personally using a report installer  named Sphinx SQL.

It allows the generate folders, create deployed datasources, assign a server datasource to a report datasoure, deploy reports, modify the parameters. Only thing it can't do is manage the security on the objects.

But, oh wait, I made it myself in C# :P

I use the ReportingService2010 object from microsoft. The documentation is not super friendly, but it is not too hard to use.

You can do something similar in probably less then 2-3 weeks if you keep it simple.

See the msdn link for more info on the class!

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa258073%28v=sql.80%29.aspx

Alex

Answer 2

Is Sphinx SQL available for download? I don't have 2-3 weeks :-).

What do others use to deploy reports? Input appreciated!

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Linda

Answer 3

Unfortunately for you, I made the software to ease the installations I had to do on client's servers. So I think it now belongs to my company. But they might be willing to sell the solution.

At this point, I think this discussion should continue by private messages  ;)

Alex

Answer 4

Hi Linda,

When deploy multiple reports to different services, we can add all reports you want to the Report Server project by using Business Intelligence Development Studio (BI Dev Studio) tool. Then we can directly deploy the reports to the Report Server.

We can also use the RS utility to deploy reports to Report Server. Before run the RS utility, we should create a script file with an .rss file name extension as an input file for the RS utility.

The following sample represent command line is written for deploy to report server:
rs -i PublishSampleReports.rss -s http://<server Name>/reportserver

(Note: To get the sample script, please click the link to download:
http://msftrsprodsamples.codeplex.com/releases/view/72275)

In addition, there is a "Reporting Services Scripter" third-part tool that you can use to generate rss scripts. Please see:
http://www.sqldbatips.com/showarticle.asp?ID=62

The following article is about how to use RS Scripter to create deployment script for Reporting Services. Please take as a reference:
http://weblogs.asp.net/akjoshi/archive/2009/01/29/using-rs-scripter-to-create-deployment-script-for-reporting-services.aspx

For more information about publishing Reports to Report Server, please see:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms159270(v=sql.100)

Regards,
Fanny Liu

 

Answer 5

I downloaded RSScripter:

1. The create the scripts nicely.

2. I place the scripts on the client site for them to run and install the reports.

3. (problem) The client must edit the RS Scripter Load All Items windows command script to enter their report server path (not very ideal). Can this somehow be automated?

4. (worse problem) I can't figure out how to let the client enter a report path. It just installs the reports at the root directory of their report server. Clients want to put these other places and not this structure:

ReportServer/TheNewReports/ReportFolder1

ReportServer/TheNewReports/ReportFolder2

ReportServer/TheNewReports/ReportFolder3

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Linda

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Linda

Answer 6

Hi Linda,

The RS Scripter is a third-part tool that use to manage our contents on the Report Server. If you have any new features about this tool, you can contact Jasper Smith.

As Fanny suggested above, Reporting Services supports a wide range of development scenarios through script. Administrators can write script in Microsoft Visual Basic to automate deploy and manage the Report Server contents.

For more information about Server Reporting Services Product Samples, please see:
http://msftrsprodsamples.codeplex.com/

Regards,
Bin Long

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Bin Long

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