SQL 2008 is a rich platform for building database solutions that is found in many businesses from the very small to the extremely large. SQL 2008 comes in a number of versions with differing levels of functionality and scalability depending on your needs. The premium editions of both SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 include a SQL 2008 Standard Edition license.

One of the more interesting features of SQL 2008 is Report Builder 2.0 an end-user report writer. Report Builder has an Office 2007 style interface providing a familiar environment for anyone with a basic understanding of databases to create reports.

Database Administrators can define data models and make them available to the report writers ensure users don’t have full access to browse data.

Report authors have access to a wide range of features for designing report layouts:

• Rich formatting
• Table designer
• Charts
• Multiple data sources
• Export in Microsoft Office formats

Once created reports can be run locally or published via a Reporting Server.

Installation

The installation files are provided as part of the SQL 2008 Feature Pack
Minimum requirements are Windows XP SP3 or better and .NET Framework 3.5

Service Pack 1 for SQL 2008 includes improvements to Report Builder.