A Comparison Guide
Are you looking to compare the differences between Docentric AX and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)? This practical guide explores how the two approaches compare and the factors to consider when choosing the right technology for your Microsoft Dynamics 365 FSCM output management.
Business documents are a critical part of any Microsoft Dynamics 365 FSCM environment, from invoices and purchase orders to statements, confirmations and customer communications. The technology used to create those documents can have a significant bearing on their design, development, maintenance and ongoing support. Docentric AX and SSRS offer two different approaches to document generation within Dynamics 365 FSCM.
In this guide, August Bridge provides a practical comparison of Docentric AX and SSRS, covering the key areas to consider when reviewing your output management requirements, including template design and flexibility, data integration, customisation, output formats, distribution and delivery, and licensing.
Please provide your name and email address to continue reading.
Docentric AX provides greater template flexibility due to its use of Microsoft Word as the design tool. This allows for complex and visually appealing templates with rich formatting, including tables, charts, and graphics. For global organisations, Docentric AX has multi-currency and multi-company functionality built into its template flexibility. Templates don’t need to be deployed. They can be simply attached and stored in Azure blob storage, Sharepoint for versioning, or a file system.
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.
August Bridge partnered with Docentric to provide a fully packaged solution that includes installation, dedicated templates and ongoing support?
Docentric AX is built into Dynamics 365, enabling in-system document generation and eliminating the need for additional services and infrastructure costs. It also supports data sources outside of Dynamics 365, such as SQL databases.
SSRS primarily relies on SQL Server data sources, which will require additional configuration to integrate with Dynamics 365 data.
Docentric AX allows for custom logic and scripting directly within Word templates, enabling advanced calculations and data manipulation.
SSRS offers the potential for complex report logic and calculations through the use of SQL queries and expressions. These require extensive programming.
With Docentric, it’s easy to set up dynamic email subjects, output filenames, target folders, etc., without custom coding.
SSRS does not support dynamic email bodies, file names , and email subjects.
Docentric AX provides more advanced distribution and delivery options, including email automation and workflow integration, which can be done through configuration. This is in addition to the basic print management configuration that Dynamics offers.
SSRS offers basic distribution capabilities but will require additional development for more advanced automation.
Docentric offers a free limited feature version, along with a full licensable version. 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 utilise it’s potential.
