May 1, 2016 at 6:03 am
Can Someone please explain, what exactly is the use of these tools and how does SSRS and Power BI differ from each other and which should be used when and which one is better
May 1, 2016 at 10:28 am
SSRS is part of the Microsoft "BI stack" and is part of SQL Server. When you install SQL Server you have the option to include different parts of the BI stack including SSIS, SSAS and SSRS. You can, in part, manage SSRS from SQL Server Management Studio as it's very integrated with SQL Server. SSRS runs as a service on a server you control (either a local physical or virtual server, or in the cloud). SSRS is free when you have a SQL Server license.
Power BI (which I have never used and don't know much about) is cloud based and is part of Microsoft Office 365. It runs in the cloud on hardware that you have less control over.
I have been working with SSRS for years. What makes it great is how it's pretty solid and stable. I can put together and publish a report in minutes and it will work. SSRS hasn't changed very much which means if you know one version you'll be able to manage them all. SSRS, however is old and tired. It's interface is outdated and crusty, you have minimal control over how parameters behave or appear. You can't use SSRS for slick looking charts and graphs, that functionality in SSRS is very week compared to what's available today.
Power BI on the other hand is extremely slick. The stuff I've seen created with Power BI is pretty amazing. It's certainly more modern and current.
On the flip side, for ever Power BI veteran, there's 20 people with many years of SSRS experience. There's more SSRS material. Note, for example, SSC has a Stairway for SSRS but not Power BI.
That's my 2 cents.
-- Itzik Ben-Gan 2001
May 2, 2016 at 8:54 am
SSRS is meant for "static" reports. Something that will be shown always as defined. It's great for reports that should be printed. It usually requires some technical skill when modifying reports.
Power BI is intended more to "power users" as well as developers. It can create dashboards with great presentation. It can be easier to create visualizations with correct data, but it might not be great if you want to print something. It's basically the evolution of Powerpivot and Powerview.
Both are great tools, just with a different focus.
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