System Center Configuration Manager Reporting Unleashed, Rough Cuts

Description

This is the Rough Cut version of the printed book.

The heart of Configuration Manager is its SQL Server database, which contains a wealth of information about users, computers, hardware and software inventory, installed applications, compliance, and more. While tools are available to extract that information into a meaningful format, Microsoft does not provide the knowledge to use those tools. This book takes a Configuration Manager administrator through the steps to use those tools to create meaningful reports. These reports can then be tailored to the requirements of end users and management.

This book provides in-depth detail about using SQL Server Reporting Services and Report Builder to extract information from the Configuration Manager site database. It includes numerous step-by-step examples, taking a Configuration Manager administrator from creating basic to intermediate reports. This data can be used by management, end users, and Configuration Manager administrators; however, one must know how to get the data out of the SQL Server database to be able to utilize it in meaningful and useful reports. 

Microsoft provides some out-of-the box reports; these can be modified to meet individual organizations' requirements. In addition, custom reports can be created using the advanced reporting services of SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and the authoring service provided by the Reporting Services Report Builder - the challenge is understanding how to retrieve the data and how to use SSRS and the Report Builder, as the typical Configuration Manager administrator is not a database expert or well versed in using these tools.

Readers will learn to: 

•Install SSRS; write SQL queries; design and build basic reports, advanced reports, and security reports; and find data in the site database

•Create custom reports by using the advanced reporting services of SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and the authoring service provided by the Reporting Services Report Builder 

•Understand how to retrieve the data and use SSRS and the Report Builder--  the typical Configuration Manager administrator is not a database expert or well versed in using these tools

•Use those tools to create meaningful reports that can be tailored to the requirements of end users and management

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Part I: Installing and Configuring SSRS for Configuration Manager
Chapter 1    Installing SQL Server Reporting Services
Chapter 2    Installing and Configuring Configuration Manager Reporting

Part II: About Data and Retrieval
Chapter 3    Understanding Configuration Manager Data
Chapter 4    Transact-SQL Primer

Part III: Using SSRS for Configuration Manager Reporting
Chapter 5    Basic Report Design
Chapter 6    Building a Basic Report
Chapter 7    Intermediate Reporting Concepts
Chapter 8    SSRS Reporting Features
Chapter 9    Role-Based Administration and Reporting

Part IV: Appendixes
Appendix A    Glossary
Appendix B    Demonstration Outcomes
Appendix C    Available Online

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