Report Builder Debuts

A report-design tool for nontechnical users is the promise of a planned SQL Server 2005 feature called Report Builder, now available for preview. Based on technology acquired with ActiveViews in Apr. 2004, Report Builder allows end users to construct detailed personal or ad hoc reports from SQL Server databases without requiring SQL Server programming skills or an understanding of SQL Server concepts. Report Builder will ship as a feature of SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services, which provides development and management tools for report creation and distribution; however, the new feature steps into areas supported by partners.

Report Builder is available in the Feb. 2005 Community Technology Preview (CTP) of SQL Server 2005. The CTP also addresses several problems in SQL Server 2005 Beta 2, including a previous lack of tools to assist upgrades from SQL Server 2000 and performance of the product’s management tools. In addition, the CTP provides 64-bit support for Reporting Services and Notification Services, which helps developers build applications that can notify users of key events (such as a change to a flight departure time).