PHP meets SQL Server Reporting Services

In past, I’ve often heard developers complaining about how difficult it could be to consume SQL Reporting Services from non Microsoft Application technologies such as PHP.

Now the gap is almost closed thanks to Microsoft and Persistent, which partnered in order to deliver this SDK available under the form of a CodePlex project: SSRS SDK for PHP.

This SDK, applicable to any PHP platform and not solely Windows-based ones, will greatly ease interoperability and open doors to one of the richest BI platform.

The schema hereunder (source: MS blog), depicts in details how it integrates.

While the DSK comes with a set of document as well as a demo application, it will also require the SOAP Extension for PHP, that you can get here: http://us2.php.net/soap

Needless to say that SSRS is available for free as part of SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services, the Report Designer as well.

More information

• CodePlex: SSRS SDK for PHP
• MS Blog: Interoperability At Microsoft: SQL Server Reporting Services SDK for PHP: adding business intelligence and reporting features to PHP applications
• MS SQL Server Express Web Log

Marc