System Center Configuration Manager Reporting Unleashed

Description

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager’s SQL Server database contains valuable information about your users, computers, hardware, operating systems, applications, compliance status, and much more. Microsoft has provided excellent tools for extracting this information in meaningful ways, including SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and SQL Server Data Tools Business Intelligence (SSDT-BI). System Center Configuration Manager Reporting Unleashed shows you how to make the most of these tools.

World-renowned System Center reporting guru Garth Jones and his expert coauthors guide you through all facets of custom reporting with System Center. You’ll walk through installing and configuring SSRS, using SQL views to find the data you need, writing SQL queries, creating basic and advanced reports, and using role-based administration to securely deliver those reports to the correct individuals.

Jones brings together reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date System Center reporting techniques you’ll find in no other book or website. Using this guide, you can consistently retrieve the right information to solve immediate problems and quickly respond to management concerns.

Detailed information on how to…
• Install and configure SQL SSRS for optimal System Center reporting and easier troubleshooting
• Understand the data stored in the ConfigMgr site database
• Efficiently retrieve ConfigMgr data by writing SQL queries in SQL Server Management Studio
• Learn best practices for developing and designing System Center reports
• Create report templates, customize content with report parameters, and embed charts
• Customize logos, color palettes, and other report elements for your own organization
• Construct advanced drillthroughs to provide deeper understanding
• Strengthen report security by integrating ConfigMgr role-based administration into SQL queries
• Leverage reporting to measure KPIs and gain a better understanding of your environment
• Tailor your reports to the needs of end-users or management
• Foreword by Wally Mead, Principal Program Manager, Cireson

The only book entirely dedicated to Configuration Manager reporting, this guide complements Meyler's System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Unleashed, offering far more in-depth coverage of reporting than the single chapter in that book. Most of the content in this new guide will be equally valuable in both System Center 2016 and 2012 environments.

Downloads

Sample Files

Online content is available to provide added value to readers of System Center Configuration Manager Reporting Unleashed. Some of the files available include XML export files, sample SQL queries, and sample reports. Refer to Appendix C in your book for specific information about what files are available.

Download Sample Files (320 KB .zip)

Sample Content

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 3 and Index)

Table of Contents

Foreword     xiii
Introduction     1

PART I:  INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING SSRS FOR CONFIGURATION MANAGER
Chapter 1  Installing SQL Server Reporting Services     7
Installing the SQL SSRS Component     8
Configuring SSRS     16
Configuring the SSRS Installation     16
    Configuring Email     24
     Enabling Remote Errors     26
Installing Client Tools for SSRS Reporting     31
     Installing Client Tools     31
     Installing SQL Server Data Tools Business Intelligence     38
Summary     41
Chapter 2  Installing and Configuring Configuration Manager Reporting     43
Creating the Reporting Services Point     44
Using ConfigMgr Security Reporting Roles     52
     Creating a Security Reporting Role     52
     Restricting Access to Reports     57
     Removing a Security Role     58
     Exporting and Importing Security Roles     58
Working with Security Roles     62
     Applying a Security Role to a Security Group     62
     Removing Permissions     70
Accessing ConfigMgr Reports     71
Changing the ConfigMgr Report Logo     72
Demonstrating Creating and Assigning ConfigMgr Security Roles    75
     Working with the Report Reader Security Role     75
     Working with the Software Updates Report Reader Security Role     76
     Working with the Inventory Report Reader Security Role     76
Summary     77
PART II:  ABOUT DATA AND RETRIEVAL
Chapter 3  Understanding Configuration Manager Data     81
Using Data Classes and SQL Views     81
     Using Discovery Classes     82
     Using Hardware Inventory Classes     84
     Using Software Inventory Classes     86
     Using Software Update Inventory Classes     87
     Using Software Metering Inventory Classes     89
     Using Status Message Classes     90
     Using State Messages     91
     Using Collection Data Classes     92
Using Tools for Creating Reports     93
     Introducing SQL Server Management Studio     94
     Connecting to the ConfigMgr Database Server     94
     Executing a Query in SQL Server Management Studio     95
     Using the Object Explorer     95
Demonstrating SQL Server Management Studio    97
     Creating and Executing a Query    98
     Looking at Views     98
Summary     98
Chapter 4  Transact-SQL Primer     99
Understanding the Basic SQL Sections in a Qu

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