Reporting Services 2008r2 (SSRS): New Webservice Endpoint

The report server includes a new management endpoint named ReportingService2010. This endpoint merges the functionalities of both the ReportingService2005 and ReportingService2006 endpoints, and can support management operations of the report server in both native mode and SharePoint integrated mode. It also includes new features that are introduced in SQL Server 2008 R2, such as shared datasets and cache refresh.

If the report server is configured for native mode or SharePoint integrate mode, the WSDL for the management endpoint can be accessed using one of the following URL:

http://<Server Name>/ReportServer/ReportService2010.asmx?wsdl

The ReportService2005 and ReportService2006 endpoints are deprecated in SQL Server 2008 R2. The ReportService2010 endpoint includes the functionalities of both endpoints and contains additional management features.


For more information, see Report Server Web Service Endpoints.

BI solution delivers insight on CXL P&L attributes

BI Architects develops Business Intelligence (BI) solutions for its customers ranging from commodity trading and enterprise risk to project management.

In this video blog I want to present a BI solution we have developed for one of our customers, that uses Triple Point’s Commodity XL (CXL), giving essential insight in the in the causes of the position and mark to market movements, including physical operations (P&L attributes).

The presentation depicted below describes our customer's needs, CXL and the solution itself.



For more information on our CXL BI solution for gaining insight on P&L attributes, please contact our sales manager Erik Rongen-Kleintjens via E.Rongen-Kleintjens@bi-architects.nl .

For more information on Triple Point’s Commodity XL (CXL) software, go to tpt.com .

Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Beta to Land on February 29th

Along with the release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft will also be unveiling Visual Studio 11's beta version next Wednesday.
Visual Studio 11 along with Team Foundation Server 11 has "hundreds" of latest features and Microsoft is addressing a very small selection before the release of the beta version. Visual Studio 11 will offer holistic solutions and also performance enhancements for various regularly performed tasks.

Unlike Visual Studio 2010, which is full of attractive colours, the new Visual Studio 11 is more "grey" to look at. For improving the scope to focus on text without any distraction the company decided to get rid of bright colours on the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), reported ARS Technica.
The new version is simpler as well as flatter as it does not have subdivisions, gradients and any other unnecessary details. This Metro designed version looks a lot like Visual Studio 2003, Office XP and Expression Blend. However, there is another version having darker theme but same simple and flat design.
Microsoft confirmed that Visual Studio 11 beta and .NET 4.5 beta will launch on 29th February.

The default toolbars in VS 2010

The default toolbars in VS 11

For more information about the GUI go to MSDN.

How to hide Recycle Bin and All Site Content in SharePoint 2010

If you want to hide Recycle Bin and All site Content in the Quick Launch menu in SharePoint 2010, you can use custom CSS for this.

For one of our customers, we've created a custom CSS named CoreOverrides.css in SharePoint 2010. In this CSS we inserted a display:none element as follows:

/* Hide All Site Content and Recycle Bin */
.s4-specialNavLinkList
{
display:none !important;
}


How to apply the custom CSS in SharePoint 2010
To apply the custom CSS:
1. Go to Site Actions | Site Settings
2. Click on Master Page (in Look and Feel)
3. Specify a custom CSS file in Alternate CSS URL as shown below
4. Click OK

SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch Event

On March 7th, 2012 the SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch Event take place. This online event will allow you to immerse yourself in the exciting New World of Data with SQL Server 2012.

You will have access to over 30+ sessions to learn about the new capabilities of SQL Server 2012 at your own pace, on your own schedule. This event brings together a who’s who of industry experts and executives to tell the SQL Server 2012 story. You will also “meet” with partners, experts, and peers in a virtual “Expo Hall” to discuss SQL Server 2012 one-on-one.

For the full agenda of this event or to register, click here.

No left navigation when new webpartpages are created in SharePoint 2010

Creating webpart pages or basic pages in SharePoint is done with a click of a button. But when you view the page you've created you won't get to see the left navigation menu. The cause I reckon is that the left side navigation is defined in the Master Page in the "PlaceHolderLeftNavBar" content place holder and templates for webpart pages shipped with SharePoint are overriding this content place holder and delete its content. 


The solution for this is to change the page so it will not override the menu place holder, but inherite it from the Master Page. The place holders we are interested in are: "PlaceHolderLeftNavBar" and "PlaceHolderNavSpacer". 


Start by opening the SharePoint Designer. Open the webpart page or basic page you want to add the menu to. In code view look for the following lines and delete them:

      <asp:Content ContentPlaceHolderId="PlaceHolderLeftNavBar" runat="server"></asp:Content>

and

      <asp:Content ContentPlaceHolderId="PlaceHolderNavSpacer" runat="server"></asp:Content> 

and

      <SharePoint:UIVersionedContent ID="WebPartPageHideQLStyles" UIVersion="4" runat="server">
      <ContentTemplate>
      <style type="text/css">
      body #s4-leftpanel {
      display:none;
      }
      .s4-ca {
      margin-left:0px;
      }
      </style>


Save the file. You will get a warning saying you are about to customize the page. Just go ahead.


Hope this saves time.