Operational reports continue to play a crucial role in organizations, and with Power BI Paginated Reports, this is the perfect time to migrate away from legacy SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). We recently led a project to migrate a heavily used, on-premises SSRS report site to Power BI’s online service using a premium capacity license model. In this blog, I will share the best practices and lessons learned along the way. But first, let us explore the differences between SSRS and Power BI and understand the benefits of migration.
Before migrating, it is important to understand the fundamental differences between SSRS and Power BI. SSRS is a traditional reporting tool best suited for pixel-perfect, static reports. In contrast, Power BI offers more flexibility, allowing for advanced visualizations and interactive features. While Power BI Paginated Reports are the closest equivalent to SSRS, each has distinct strengths. Assess whether your SSRS reports can benefit from the enhanced interactivity and visualization options in Power BI.
Organization can save on SQL server license costs, infrastructure costs for running the server machine, and labor costs on maintenance tasks to keep the SSRS site running smoothly.
Power BI provides both operational and analytical reports in a single platform and reduces the end user’s effort to provide multiple reports and data sources into one cohesive platform.
Power BI’s modern, intuitive interface offers interactive features, delivering a more engaging reporting experience compared to SSRS.
Start by analyzing the SSRS reports you intend to migrate. Not all reports need to be migrated. Some might be redundant or better suited for Power BI’s interactive dashboards. Prioritize high-value reports to optimize your migration timeline.
Before migration, optimize your data sources. SSRS often relies on SQL Server, but Power BI can work with a broader range of data sources, including Azure and Synapse.
Power BI Paginated Reports may need performance tuning to match the expectations of SSRS users. Focus on DAX queries, data models, and report load times. Use Power BI’s Performance Analyzer to identify potential bottlenecks.
One of the key reasons for migrating to Power BI Paginated Reports is to preserve the pixel-perfect layouts that are critical for business processes.
While SSRS is focused on static reports, Power BI’s strength lies in its dynamic, interactive visualizations. Consider adding visual elements like charts, graphs, or drill-through actions.
Security is critical when migrating sensitive reports. Power BI’s integration with Azure Active Directory offers role-based access controls and data encryption.
Thorough testing is vital for a successful migration. After migrating, run parallel reports in both SSRS and Power BI to validate accuracy, formatting, and functionality.
Power BI has a different interface and feature set than SSRS. Training your end users on the new platform is key to adoption.
After migration, continuously monitor report performance and gather user feedback. Power BI’s ability to update frequently allows you to make iterative improvements based on this feedback.
While migrating SSRS to Power BI Paginated Reports, keep an eye out for common issues:
Migrating from SSRS to Power BI Paginated Reports can be challenging, but with careful planning and execution, the transition can unlock immense value for your organization. Following these best practices will help ensure a smooth migration process and empower your team with the full capabilities of Power BI.
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