Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services

Getting the most out of any database lies in presenting the data in different formats, to fulfill the information requirements of various users. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (SSRS) gives non-technical end users and programmers a server-based reporting platform that will generate any kind of report from any kind of data source for both desktop and Web applications.

If you have experience with a branded reporting tool, such as Crystal Reports, or Microsoft Access, then SQL Server Reporting Services will be familiar as it includes a drag and drop report builder called Report Designer. In the past, SQL's lack of a report builder was usually one of the first stumbling blocks run into by Access developers looking to upgrade their application to SQL.

In addition to the drag and drop report builder, SSRS also includes an application for letting power users generate their own ad hoc reports called Report Builder. Another unique feature of SSRS is the ability to create report subscriptions, where users can request reports to be emailed to them automatically at various intervals.

Our three-day course covers all the key aspects of SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services in a practical, hands-on format. Click here or contact us for more details on this and our other Database courses or Consulting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crystal Reports - getting the most from Business Intelligence (BI)

The key to unlocking information is to give users the tools to quickly and easily find answers to their questions. Standard reports that are updated on a regular basis provide some answers but the information that a user finds will often trigger more questions, and these questions will not be answered in a prepackaged report.

Crystal Reports is the world leader for flexible, ad-hoc reporting for all sizes of organisation. While users may spend 80% of their time accessing standard or personalized reports, you will find that for 20% of their tasks, they need to go elsewhere to obtain additional information not available in the original report. To address this need and avoid end user frustration (and related report backlog for the IT team), a BI system like Crystal Reports is required that lets users autonomously make ad hoc requests for information from corporate data sources.

Using Crystal Reports to its full potential requires expert training whether for new users or those seeking more advanced skills. Contact us for details of how Professional Training can assist you.

Understanding Finance

It is vital in business to understand the language of accounting and finance. If you understand the language, you can provide an input to the process. If you don't - you're outside the decision-making system. This can apply whether in a multi-national or SME setting.

To effectively use the finance process, you must have a knowledge of financial statements. You need to be clear on how they are used to assess business performance and how they are shaped by everyday business decisions and events, not divorced from reality. Put simply, you must understand "accountant-speak". Fortunately, understanding finance is a key managerial skill that can be developed quickly, thus improving the performance of the manager, individual departments and the business as a whole.

We offer a highly participative, one day workshop to provide practical and enduring knowledge of financial statements. Click here for more details or contact us for in-house courses.

Technical Writing

In an average software development lifecycle, 60-70% of the deliverables are documents. From High Level Architectural Specification to Change Request Reports, your development cycle starts and ends with documentation.

Why? One reason - knowledge transfer. Having the best software solution in the world is great, but what if nobody can learn how to maintain it, install it, configure it, repair it, test it?

Our Introduction to Technical Writing will help your developers, analysts and engineers to produce clear, brief, effective documentation - knowledge assets for your organisation.

Click here for more details or contact us for in-house courses.

Professional Training offers three further courses to help improve writing skills in your business:
Writing Business Proposals and Reports
E Mail Etiquette
Better Business Writing