Database Administrator at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 5
Sep 11, 2025
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is not difficult to use, but my main issue is troubleshooting whenever there is any problem, as the logs can be unclear. Perhaps I don't have enough experience with the tool to know where exactly to look, but I do find troubleshooting to be the most challenging aspect; however, outside of that, it's a pretty solid tool, pretty straightforward, and I have no issues with it. The initial setup for Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is not an issue for me; however, I find it challenging when we want to secure the endpoint, such as using bindings and so forth, which may be due to my lack of knowledge.
I am thinking that with all the Copilot integration within the Microsoft environment, that could be integrated as well, so that you could issue a prompt and it generates designs.
Sharepoint Specialist at a government with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 20
Feb 4, 2025
They could improve the scalability and stability of SQL Server Reporting Services. I haven't used it recently, so I can't provide detailed suggestions on improvements.
Infrastructure Coordinator at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 5
May 13, 2024
The product could be improved by reducing the time it takes to build and deploy reports. We have improved the Server, but it's still in the prototype stage. It takes more time than another.
Senior software developer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 5
May 3, 2024
The complex tuning for report performance is complicated. There is a lack of native support for source code control. We often need to use separate tools like VS Code or other software to manage version control and changes in the database. It would be beneficial if source code management were integrated directly into SSRS, thus eliminating the need to rely on external tools. While CLI-based operations are exemplary, the trend is towards GUI for a better user experience. Integrating both visualization and source code management within SSRS would simplify the process for users.
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
In Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, not much of the interface part is used. With Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, its users face issues with the interface after they use Excel or create Microsoft SSIS Packages. The tool's interface is an area of concern requiring improvement. There needs to be an improvement in the product's connectivity so that the tool can connect easily with other third-party databases. In the dashboard, drag and drop functionality needs to improve, especially when compared to other tools like IBM Cognos Analytics and Qlik Sense. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is useful only for standard reports. In IBM Cognos Analytics, query studio can be used by users to drag the data and simply download the reports, so the user doesn't need to have any technical knowledge like developers. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is to be improved to offer features like query Studio, which is provided in IBM Cognos Analytics.
In this solution, the cost should be reduced for the enterprise edition. Customers are looking for high availability for applications, but due to the high license cost, they may not agree. Microsoft should consider and think about the cost and licensing for the enterprise edition.
There is room for improvement in the setup process. The setup is difficult because you have to install different servers. It's complicated because it stops working and does not have support. We don't have a version for Mac. We have some developers who use Mac, so it's hard to provide them with the product they have to use and the virtualization.
CEO /Consultant at Version Two Software Solutions Ltd
Reseller
Top 10
Jul 10, 2023
We encounter some barriers while building a report. They should improve numerous areas related to reporting. Also, it is difficult to implement some of the features. It needs improvement as well.
Cloud Engineer at SLP TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED
Real User
Jun 12, 2023
The product should improve its performance. It should improve the optimization, encryption and access control. It should provide efficient resource management features.
Chief Information Officer at Solutions Business Technology
Real User
Aug 9, 2020
It doesn't have quite the flexibility of a Tableau or something like that. Many users are more comfortable with Tableau and I'm not quite sure why that is right now, but it seems to be the case. The visualization needs improvement. They're lacking. Once again, Tableau is better in this respect. Basically taking the data and visualizing it onto the different types of reports and stuff like that needs to get better.
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Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is not difficult to use, but my main issue is troubleshooting whenever there is any problem, as the logs can be unclear. Perhaps I don't have enough experience with the tool to know where exactly to look, but I do find troubleshooting to be the most challenging aspect; however, outside of that, it's a pretty solid tool, pretty straightforward, and I have no issues with it. The initial setup for Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is not an issue for me; however, I find it challenging when we want to secure the endpoint, such as using bindings and so forth, which may be due to my lack of knowledge.
I am thinking that with all the Copilot integration within the Microsoft environment, that could be integrated as well, so that you could issue a prompt and it generates designs.
They could improve the scalability and stability of SQL Server Reporting Services. I haven't used it recently, so I can't provide detailed suggestions on improvements.
QL Server can support the customer language in the long term, so we can use another language to build some components.
The product could be improved by reducing the time it takes to build and deploy reports. We have improved the Server, but it's still in the prototype stage. It takes more time than another.
The complex tuning for report performance is complicated. There is a lack of native support for source code control. We often need to use separate tools like VS Code or other software to manage version control and changes in the database. It would be beneficial if source code management were integrated directly into SSRS, thus eliminating the need to rely on external tools. While CLI-based operations are exemplary, the trend is towards GUI for a better user experience. Integrating both visualization and source code management within SSRS would simplify the process for users.
I'm starting to use Power BI this year, and it would be really nice to have better integration between the solution and Power BI.
In Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, not much of the interface part is used. With Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, its users face issues with the interface after they use Excel or create Microsoft SSIS Packages. The tool's interface is an area of concern requiring improvement. There needs to be an improvement in the product's connectivity so that the tool can connect easily with other third-party databases. In the dashboard, drag and drop functionality needs to improve, especially when compared to other tools like IBM Cognos Analytics and Qlik Sense. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is useful only for standard reports. In IBM Cognos Analytics, query studio can be used by users to drag the data and simply download the reports, so the user doesn't need to have any technical knowledge like developers. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is to be improved to offer features like query Studio, which is provided in IBM Cognos Analytics.
I would like to see more integrations.
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services needs to improve performance.
In this solution, the cost should be reduced for the enterprise edition. Customers are looking for high availability for applications, but due to the high license cost, they may not agree. Microsoft should consider and think about the cost and licensing for the enterprise edition.
There is room for improvement in the setup process. The setup is difficult because you have to install different servers. It's complicated because it stops working and does not have support. We don't have a version for Mac. We have some developers who use Mac, so it's hard to provide them with the product they have to use and the virtualization.
We encounter some barriers while building a report. They should improve numerous areas related to reporting. Also, it is difficult to implement some of the features. It needs improvement as well.
There is room for improvement in the pricing model. The overall suite, including the BI suite, is expensive.
We have had issues with the refresh interval since we have too many reports scheduled. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is also expensive.
I would like the solution to add a scheduling feature for reports.
The product should improve its performance. It should improve the optimization, encryption and access control. It should provide efficient resource management features.
Technical support is in minor need of improvement so that they can solve problems in a more timely manner. Some of them take too long to solve.
It doesn't have quite the flexibility of a Tableau or something like that. Many users are more comfortable with Tableau and I'm not quite sure why that is right now, but it seems to be the case. The visualization needs improvement. They're lacking. Once again, Tableau is better in this respect. Basically taking the data and visualizing it onto the different types of reports and stuff like that needs to get better.