Businesses whose CEOs make data-backed decisions are 77% more likely to achieve success. – According to a Deloitte survey.
A robust BI tool in place takes the hassle out of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting raw data. This empowers CEOs and leaders, like yourself, to make data-driven decisions effortlessly and confidently.
Microsoft stands at the forefront of the data visualization and business intelligence industry.
Thus, comparing MS SSRS vs Power BI from Microsoft BI stack is both essential and insightful.
Let’s understand the points of disparities to help you make the right choice.
SSRS vs Power BI: Nature of the BI Tool
Although SSRS shares common features with Power BI; it is conventional in terms of its nature.
It is used in organizations for data visualization. It is also used to produce, view, and share reports with precise formatting and layout.
Moreover, it has a programming and coding interface along with multiple processing components.
Power BI, on the other hand, is used by businesses for data visualization, analysis, reporting, and storytelling. Its rich GUI and drag-and-drop features enable the creation of dynamic and interactive dashboards and reports.
Microsoft SSRS vs Power BI: User Interface
Microsoft SSRS offers a straightforward interface. It is designed for creating structured and paginated reports with precise formatting and layout control.
The SSRS environment is more suitable for a technical audience.
Whereas Power BI has drag-and-drop functionality and intuitive interface. This makes it easy to design visually appealing reports and dashboards effortlessly.
The Power BI environment is ideal for users from all technical backgrounds.
This accessibility makes Power BI, the best choice, for businesses seeking a self-service BI tool with minimal investment.
However, to leverage the complete potential of Power BI, it’s ideal to partner with a Power BI consulting services provider.
Power BI vs SSRS: Data Modeling and Transformation
SSRS primarily focuses on data presentation and formatting within the boundaries of structured, paginated reports. Thus, it has limited data modeling and transformation capabilities.
Power BI’s data modeling and transformation capabilities are robust and user-friendly. It helps in deriving and transforming the data and loading it in the form of visuals.
Microsoft SSRS vs Power BI: SSRS Expressions vs DAX
You can use SSRS Expressions in SSRS and DAX in Power BI to generate dynamic reports.
SSRS expressions are straightforward. They are mainly used for dynamic report elements like parameters. You can also use DAX to build SSRS reports.
DAX in Power BI has extensive documentation and books, and it is applicable to Multidimensional Databases. It’s very much like Excel functions, making it easier to understand and apply. DAX is a powerful language for data manipulation.
Comparing them is tough as DAX is used for querying and SSRS expressions are used for enhancing reports.
MS SSRS vs Power BI: Natural Language Queries
SSRS does not have this feature. It mainly focuses on data presentation and structured report generation.
Power BI, on the other hand, has Cortana integrated for AI-based natural language processing. It facilitates Q&A interactions with your data and reports directly within your Power BI environment.
Power BI vs SSRS Comparison: Mobile App
SSRS has SQL Server Mobile Report Publisher, but it was deprecated for all releases of SQL Server Reporting Services after SQL Server Reporting Services 2019.
It is discontinued starting in SQL Server Reporting Services 2022 and Power BI Report Server (an on-premises solution for reporting).
Power BI reports and dashboards can be easily accessed and shared by using the Power BI Mobile App. You can share the reports with either the entire organization or specific people or groups.
Plus, you need not create different reports for mobile access.
The Power BI Mobile App is available for free download from the Google Play Store (4.6 rating) and the Apple App Store (4.7 rating).
Power BI vs. SSRS: Learning Curve & User Training
SSRS is a stagnant software which adds up to its steep learning curve. Moreover, you need dedicated SQL Server engineers to ensure success.
On the other hand, Power BI has a shallow learning curve, due to its easy-to-use drag-and-drop features. Anybody can self-start their BI initiative with Power BI Desktop.
However, non-technical users may struggle to master its advanced features.
MS SSRS vs Power BI: AI & ML
SSRS has impressive graphical abilities, actions and drill-through, and complex filtering capabilities. But it doesn’t have Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning capabilities.
Conversely, Power BI has robust AI capabilities which you can use to gain access to a collection of pre-trained machine learning models.
MS SSRS vs Power BI: Pricing
SQL Server License is required to access MS SSRS.
Here’s the price breakdown to access Power BI.
Power BI Desktop
Cost: Free
Power BI Pro
Cost: USD 10 per user/month
Cost: USD 20 per user/month (Free if you have Microsoft 365)
Power BI Premium (per-capacity)
Cost: USD 4995 Per Month for P1 SKU
Thinking? – “Power BI is indeed equipped with modern data visualization and reporting capabilities. But SSRS has its pluses, especially in conventional reporting and on-premises deployment.”
Does it make your decision even more difficult?
Thinking if understanding Power BI vs SSRS pros and cons will help?
Let’s get going to understand the SSRS vs Power BI pros and cons and take you closer to your decision.
Thinking – “What if I could blend both the tools from Microsoft’s BI stack? And leverage the strengths of Power BI within my on-premises environment?”
You’re on the right track!
After decoding Power BI vs. SSRS, let’s now unwind the double power of Power BI and SSRS – Power BI Reporting Server.
What’s Power BI Reporting Server?
Power BI report server is an on-premises report server by Microsoft. It is used to host, manage, and display reports and KPIs.
It is built upon the SQL Server Reporting Service’s (SSRS) foundation. This means it inherits many features from SSRS such as report authoring, support for multiple data sources, ability to create pixel-perfect paginated reports.
For businesses, seeking to embrace the capabilities of SQL Server Reporting Services along with cloud-based analytics and modern data reporting – Power BI Reporting Server is the best solution.
So that was about the Microsoft SSRS vs Power bI for business leaders, who are looking to leverage the capabilities of business intelligence and data visualization from Microsoft’s BI stack.
As we come to the end of this insightful guide, we’re confident that you gained valuable insights into the MS SSRS vs Power BI comparison. And an answer to your prolonged question – “Which BI tool is best for my business’s needs?”
Now, what should be your next step?
Ideally, your next step should be to consult a Microsoft-Certified partner.
They shall help you explore how integrating Power BI or SSRS can benefit your organization.
The partner also provides expert guidance to meet your unique requirements. And help you with implementation and optimization of your choice of BI tool.
This blog was presented to you by Integrative Systems, America’s leading Power BI consulting and implementation partner.
If you’re looking for a Microsoft-certified partner who prioritizes your success and specializes in Microsoft’s BI stack, look no further than Integrative Systems.
You can reach out to us at [email protected] and our team of professionals will get back to you in 1-2 business days.
