Continuing our series All your D365FO Reporting options in one place, in this article we explore SSRS – the default reporting framework in D365FO.

SSRS Solution Overview

We will start with an overview of SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services), which is a standard Microsoft solution for building and delivering reports across a wide range of applications, including D365FO.

You will see how each of the 5 reporting elements presented in the introductory video is solved in SSRS:

• Data Source based on a query or data provider.
• Format Design created and modified in Visual Studio.
• Document Generation done on the external SSRS server.
• Document Distribution available through SSRS print destinations: Email, Printer, File, Screen and Print archive.
• Configuration/Management options available through Print management or through code.

Watch this video to obtain the SSRS solution overview and learn how SSRS reporting elements are implemented in D365FO.

DEMO

We demonstrate how to perform a simple customization and basic configuration of the Sales invoice report.

Data source

In this walkthrough, we focus on the simplest possible scenario — adding a single, fixed-value field to the report data source, that will later be added to the report layout.

Format Design

In the second step we modify the format design by adding the new field to it. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions:

Document Generation, Distribution and Management

The next step is to generate the document in a real business scenario. For example, when posting a sales order, invoice, or confirmation. In D365FO, this is referred to as document generation. The generated document is then distributed to the configured print destination. Check the following video for a typical example of document generation, distribution and management.

Pain Points

In this chapter, we will sum up the limitations and challenges of using SSRS for reporting in D365FO, especially when it comes to customization, layout flexibility, and ease of use for business users.

Pain Points Description

In the video below, we will show you the common pain points of SSRS in each of the five main reporting elements:

• Data source: Making even simple data changes requires a development effort in SSRS. Extending data providers often involves deep technical knowledge, time-consuming development and code deployment cycles.
• Format design: Working in Visual Studio is not targeted at business users, as the design process is rigid, with limited formatting capabilities — especially for complex designs like invoices or labels. Just as modifying the data sources, this task also requires development and code deployment.
• Document generation: The SSRS report generation on a dedicated SSRS server can be slow and resource-intensive.
• Document distribution: SSRS Print destinations offer a basic functionality and support only static file names, subjects and similar content.
• Configuration/Management: Lack of user-friendly features for managing report configurations makes SSRS a developer-driven solution, limiting business user autonomy and flexibility.

🎬 By watching this video you will understand the main SSRS pain points across all five reporting elements in D365FO.

Pain Points Summary

In this final video, we have summarized the challenges you have seen and provided a concise overview of why SSRS is often not enough when it comes to modern document generation requirements.

See Also

All your D365FO reporting options in one place: Full playlist on YouTube >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#1/5): Introduction >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#2/5): SSRS >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#3/5): ER/CBD >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#4/5): Docentric versus ER/CBD >>

Create a new custom SSRS report in D365FO >>
How-to manuals: Docentric Print destinations >>

Our articles on Print management >>