Power BI vs SSRS – Difference Between Them

What is SSRS?

SSRS is abbreviation of SQL Server Reporting Services. It is a server-based report creating software system from Microsoft. It is a set of Microsoft SQL Server services, it contains SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) and SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services). Managed by a Web interface, it can be helpful to make and supply a diversity of communicating and published reports.

Why do we need SSRS?

• We require SSRS because of its strong and adaptable reporting tool that can be beneficial in producing a diversity reports to fulfill the desires of different users. SSRS gives a lot of characteristics that make it a significant tool for establishments.
• It has a skill of connecting to a diverse data sources, contains SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL.
• It has a capacity to produce a range of report types, containing paginated reports, matrix reports, and chart reports.
• It has a skill of implanting images, videos, and hyperlinks in reports.
• It has a facility to arrange the reports that need to be delivered automatically.
• It contains an ability to provide reports to users by a web browser or email.

SSRS Pros and Cons

SSRS has many benefits and many disadvantages some of are here below:         

Advantages of using SSRS:

• Measurability: SSRS can be measureable which helps to fulfil the needs of great number of organizations.
• Security: SSRS has a great number of security characteristics which keep the reports and data safe.
• Reporting adaptability: SSRS provides a number of report types and characteristic to fulfill the requirements of different users.
• Reporting assimilation: SSRS can be mix or make contact with other Microsoft products, such as SQL Server and SharePoint.
• Expense: SSRS is a free and easily add to SQL Server.

Disadvantages of using SSRS:

Here are some limitations and weaknesses of SSRS:

• Difficulty: SSRS can be complicated to organize and apply particularly for non-technical users.
• Guidance:  to use SSRS efficiently, training must be needed.
• Advancement: SSRS has to be regulate to stay updated and protected.

Finally, SSRS is a valuable and adaptable reporting tool that can be a significant asset for organizations of all types. But, it is essential to know the pros and cons sensibly before choosing it as a perfect tool for your business.

Different Types of SSRS Reports

There are several types of SSRS reports which can be produced, depending on the requirements of the organization. Some of the main types of SSRS reports are here below:

• Tabular reports: Tabular reports are the main type of SSRS report. The data written in the rows and columns, and helpful in showing diversity of data.
• Matrix reports: Matrix reports are same as the tabular reports, but they show more complex data layouts. Matrix reports can be helpful in presenting data in various ways a for example by product, client, or location.
• Chart reports: Chart reports are helpful in representing data graphically. They provides the information about trends, patterns, and relationships in data.
• Drill-down reports: Drill-down reports provides exhaustive data as users require. When a user clicks on a data point in a drill-down report, the report will show detailed information about that data point.
• Sub reports: Sub reports are those reports that are implanted in other reports. We can use Sub reports for showing more detailed information or to simply the data in concise way to make it manageable.

What is Power BI?

Power BI is abbreviation of a business intelligence (BI) and produced by Microsoft. It can be useful for users to examine data and make interaction between dashboards and reports. Power BI can be used to link with various data sources, for example relational databases, cloud-based data warehouses, and social media platforms. It also contains a diversity of data visualization tools that are beneficial for making required and instructive reports.

Power BI is a strong tool used by the businesses of all ranges. It is simple and easy to apply, even for non-technical users, and it can be used on-premises or in the cloud. Power BI is a significant tool for businesses that want to make informed decisions depending on data.

Why do we need Power BI?

We need to use Power BI because of its strong and flexible business intelligence (BI) policy that can provide businesses of all sizes better decisions depending on data. Power BI can be helpful in linking with a diversity of data sources, including relational databases, cloud-based data warehouses, and social media platforms. It also contains various data visualization tools that can be useful in producing informative and obligatory reports.

Different Types of Power BI Reports

• Tabular reports: Tabular reports are the main type of Power BI report. They includes rows and columns of data, and can be helpful in showing a large range of data.
• Matrix reports: Matrix reports just like tabular reports, but they present complicated data layouts. Matrix reports can also beneficial for showing data in various ways for example, by product, customer or location.
• Chart reports: Chart reports presents data in the form of images or graphs. They can be helpful in showing trends, patterns and interactions in data.
• Drill-down reports: Drill-down reports are helpful in exploring data more exhaustively for users. We just have to click on the drill-down report, the report will display detailed information about that data.
• Sub reports: Sub reports are reports that are fixed in other reports. Sub reports are helpful in presenting extra data or distributes data in small sections which are understandable and manageable.

Power BI pros and cons

Advantages of using Power BI:

• Effectiveness: Power BI is a powerful tool and helps to link with various data sources and produce communicating dashboards and reports.
• Simple to use: Power BI is easy and simple to handle, even for non-technical users. The user can easily connected with its links and it is easy to direct.
• Flexibility: Power BI is a flexible tool which can be fulfil the requirements various businesses. It can be installed on-premises or in the cloud.
• Less-costly: power BI is less costly tool that is accessible in a different pricing options.
• Extensive range of qualities: Power BI contains an extensive range of qualities that are helpful in producing connections between dashboards and reports. For example data connectors, data modeling, data visualization, dash boarding, reporting, and collaboration.
• Public support: Power BI contains a huge and effective community of users and designers who can help us in difficulties and provide support.

Disadvantages of using Power BI:

• Required training: one must be familiar with its uses for this purpose training and learning must require.
• Data drawbacks: Power BI has some limitations and restrictions. For example it can process limited amount of data.
• Reporting limitations: we can face many restrictions and limitations using power BI .For example it produce limited types of reports.
• Association limitations: Power BI has limitations and restrictions on the procedure that users can associate on reports.

But still, Power BI is a valuable and flexible tool on BI platform that can be useful for businesses of all ranges. And beneficial for taking better-decisions.

Difference between SSRS and Power BI – Detailed Explanation:

SSRS

• SSRS is the term stands for SQL Server Reporting Services. It is a Microsoft product that produce and print reports. SSRS can be connected to various data sources, including relational databases, cloud-based data warehouses, and social media platforms. It also contains a diversity of data visualization tools that can be helpful in creating and persuading informative reports.
• SSRS is a server-based reporting tool. SSRS connected on a server and users access it using a web browser.
• SSRS is a powerful tool that used to produce complicated and communicating reports.
• But still, it is complicated to study and use, especially for non-technical users.
• SSRS is a worthy choice for businesses that want to use a powerful reporting tool which can communicate with several of data sources and make complicated and linked reports.

Power BI

• Power BI is the term stands for Power Business Intelligence. It is a product of Microsoft that is used to examine data and make interactional dashboards and reports. Power BI can be helpful in communicating with a diversity of data sources, for example relational databases, cloud-based data warehouses, and social media platforms. It also contains various data visualization tools that can be useful to produce compulsive and informative reports.
• Power BI is a cloud-based reporting tool.  It can be connected through Microsoft and users access it by a web browser.
• Power BI is an easy-to-use tool it means all type of users technical and non-technical can use it easily.
• Power BI is an excellent selection for businesses that need a powerful reporting tool that is easy to use and can be helpful in communicating with several data sources and make interactional dashboards and reports.

Comprehensive Comparison Between SSRS and Power BI:

Here is a comparison of SSRS and Power BI:

Eventually, Power BI is a user approachable and cloud-based as compared to SSRS. But SSRS is a more powerful tool that can be useful in creating difficult and synergetic reports.

FAQs:

Is Power BI better than SSRS?

Power BI and SSRS both are powerful business intelligence (BI) tools that are significant for producing synergetic dashboards and reports.

Finally, who is the best BI program for a business rely on its particular requirements? If a business wants a cloud-based platform that is easy to understand, use and contains a diversity of qualities, then Power BI is a great option. But if a business wants a more powerful and adjustable platform, then SSRS is a right choice.

When to use Power BI vs SSRS?

• If you require a cloud-based BI software: Power BI is a right option if you want a BI software that can be accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
• If you need a BI platform that is easy to use: Power BI is a good choice if you need a BI platform that is easy to use, even for non-technical users.
• If you need a BI program that has a diversity of characteristics Power BI is a suitable selection containing data connectors, data modeling, data visualization, dash boarding, reporting, and association.
• If you need a BI platform that is less costly then Power BI is a right selection and is obtainable in a different pricing options.

When to use SSRS?

• If you want a more effective BI platform: SSRS is a right choice that is more powerful than Power BI and can be helpful in creating more complicated reports.
• If you need a more flexible BI platform: SSRS is a right choice that can be personalized to the particular requirements of your organization.
• If you want to pay for a more costly BI platform: SSRS is a right choice if you agreeable to pay for a more costly BI platform than Power BI.

Eventually, which is the best BI platform for you will rely on your certain requirements. If you are not able to select what to use then SSRS or power IB, it is a good idea to consult with a BI expert.

Conclusion:

The summary of this discussion is Power BI and SSRS are both powerful and valuable business intelligence (BI) tools that can be significant for making communicating dashboards and reports. Still, there are some disadvantages of both systems but both can be helpful for you according to your particular needs.

If you require a cloud-based BI platform which is easy to apply, even for untechnical users, and has an extensive range of characteristics, then Power BI is a best choice. If you want to use a more powerful and customizable System, then SSRS is a right choice.

At last, selecting the best BI platform is depend upon your certain needs. If you are confuse between them then you should consult to your BI expert.