Lasernet, owned and developed by Formpipe, and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) are both tools used for reporting and document generation out of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance & Supply Chain Management.
In this document we compare the main differences between Lasernet and SSRS.
Design and Template Creation
Template Flexibility
Data Integration
Extensibility & Customisation
Output Formats
Distribution & Delivery
Licensing & Cost
Lasernet removes the need for programming within SSRS by replacing it with an intuitive interface. Using Lasernet, we are able to design, edit, distribute and archive even the most complex of documents according to your exact requirements.
SSRS relies on Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) or SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) for report design, which is less user-friendly than working in Lasernet. It requires knowledge of SQL Server Reporting Services and report design concepts.
You don't need to develop to add extra data to your report with Lasernet?
For organisations working with multiple currencies, sites and/or entities, templates using Lasernet offer flexibility that will scale as your organisation grows. Lasernet allows customers to update their Dynamics Environment with minimal impact on their Document Output Infrastructure. As an additional feature, users are able to preview documents within their final format.
SSRS templates are less flexible in terms of design and formatting. While SSRS supports a range of report elements, creating complex and visually appealing reports requires extensive development time and cost.
Lasernet is built into Dynamics 365, providing you with one central Azure enabled tool. Documents can be generated from Finance & Supply Chain Management by extracting data from all areas of your Dynamics configuration.
SSRS primarily relies on SQL Server data sources, which will require additional configuration to integrate with Dynamics 365 data.
Lasernet allows customers to create templates with advanced grouping, calculations and complex logic without the need for a developer. Data can be placed directly onto a design by using drag and drop functionality.
SSRS offers the potential for complex report logic and calculations through the use of SQL queries. Custom logic can be programmed by the use of Visual Basic to control content and report appearance.
Standard SSRS does not even include a print button?
With Lasernet you can select from a range of output formats including HTML, Excel, Word, XML, PDF, JSON, EMF and RAW print. You can create custom outputs dedicated to your own business needs.
SSRS primarily supports rendering reports in PDF, any other formats require further development in order to achieve the businesses desired results.
Using Lasernet, August Bridge can remove the need for programming within SSRS and allow you to take control of your business documents.
Lasernet offers pre-defined destinations that can be assigned as a direct destination or a complex flow.
Advanced distribution rules are available where different formats of the same document can be sent to different recipients. Users can also perform an instant multi-resend of archived documents.
SSRS offers basic distribution capabilities but will require additional development for more advanced automation.
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Available on-premise, hybrid or in the cloud, you choose which Lasernet option best suits your requirements.
For further information on the options available, please contact us.
SSRS is included with SQL Server licenses and does not incur additional costs for basic reporting needs. However, programming costs will be incurred to utilize it’s potential.
