DEVELOPMENT: rsReportServerDatabaseUnavailable on Reporting Services 2008

Trying to connect to the SQL Server Reporting Services reports server for the first time using http://MyServerName/Reportserver, we got the following error:

The report server cannot open a connection to the report server database. A connection to the database is required for all requests and processing. (rsReportServerDatabaseUnavailable) Get Online Help. SQL Server does not exist or access denied.

Using http://localhost/Reportserver opened a login dialog, but the administrator username and password didn't work.

Discussing this with the company who supplied the server, it came to light that the server name had been changed after SQL Server Reporting Services had been installed.

We resolved this by using the rsconfig utility:

Opening a Command Prompt and executing a line like this:
rsconfig -c -sMyServerName -dReportServer -aWindows -uDomain\Account -pMyPassword

Followed by resetting IIS (Internet Information Services)
iisreset

We hope this helps!

DEVELOPMENT: SQL Server 2008 - saving changes is not permitted

After installing SQL Server 2008 we were unable to save updates to any of the existing database tables. Every time we tried to save a change to the table, we got the following error:

Saving changes is not permitted. The changes you have made require the following tables to be dropped and re-created. You have either made changes to a table that can’t be re-created or enabled the option Prevent saving changes that require the table to be re-created.

To resolve this, click the SQL Server Management Studio Tools Options Designers option and untick the "Prevent saving changes that require table re-creation" checkbox.

We hope this helps anyone else that's new to SQL Server 2008 development!

CONNECTIT: ConnectIT-Sage v1.10.0 released

The new release of ConnectIT-Sage QuoteWerks to Sage link adds support for Sage Instant 2009 Accounts and Accounts Plus.

Sage Instant Accounts is easy-to-use accounting software designed to make managing your money, including VAT, end of year accounts and invoicing, as quick and easy as possible. You’ll have all the information you need to manage your business at your fingertips.
Sage Instant Accounts is a simple bookkeeping package that gives you all the tools you need to successfully manage your finances, accounts, customers and suppliers.

Now Sage Instant Accounts users can take advantage of ConnectIT's time saving capabilities, allowing users to create Product Sales Order, Product Invoice, Product Credit, Service Invoice and Service Credit document types in Sage from the information in their QuoteWerks document.

For more information, please your QuoteWerks reseller or contact us on +44(0) 1782 564 252 or email info@hilltopsit.co.uk

Business Development Manager wanted (Stoke-on-Trent)

A new full time position is available for a sales person selling computer software products and services. This is an excellent opportunity to join a small, ambitious, highly motivated and positive team of individuals in a growing business and offers excellent career prospects for the successful candidate.

The role will be predominantly working from the office managing and developing a portfolio of prospective and existing customers locally, nationally and internationally. The successful candidate must be well organised, an excellent communicator over the phone, motivated, confident, highly professional, excellent at building lasting relationships, be able to demonstrate excellent computer skills and have an understanding of the software industry. You will report to the Managing Director and be expected to deliver the agreed levels of revenue and profit, whilst adopting a solution lead, consultative sales approach to ensure that customer requirements are met.

Ideally, you will have experience of dealing with small and medium sized businesses. Experience of contact management, quoting and accounts packages, website and software development processes will also be an advantage.

To start as soon as possible. Candidate must have their own car. Package negotiable, commission based (uncapped).

Please apply in writing to Hilltops IT, Lymedale Business Centre, Lymedale Business Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 9QF or by email enquiries@hilltopsit.co.uk. Please include your up-to-date CV and covering letter.

Strictly no agencies.

CONNECTIT: Sage MAS 90/200 v4.4

As far as we know, there's (as yet) no firm release date for the next release to Sage MAS90/200. We're really excited about the prospect of the new release as we are expecting it to include API support for creating purchase order documents, products and suppliers. Having this functionality in the MAS API means that we can complete the ConnectIT-MAS QuoteWerks to Sage MAS90/200 link to cover the same footprint as the UK ConnectIT for Sage 50 Accounts.

However, it was encouraging today that we got an email from Sage asking us to complete a survey which was asking how long from release we anticipated it would be before we integrated our solution with the new version and how Sage could help. Naturally our answers were "as soon as possible" and "get us a copy of the beta"!!!

Unfortunately it's still a case of "watch this space" before we can commit to a version of ConnectIT-MAS which will be able to create purchase orders, products and suppliers, but it is encouraging to see things moving along!

SUPPORT: Windows 7 to get XP Mode for compatibility

Microsoft is planning a new virtualisation tool to provide better application compatibility for businesses migrating from Windows XP to the forthcoming Windows 7 operating system.
The feature will be called Windows XP Mode and will allow users to install and run applications in a Windows XP environment running under Windows Virtual PC.

It is specifically designed to help small businesses move to Windows 7, according to information recently posted to Microsoft's Windows blog.

In the blog entry, Microsoft said a beta of Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC is coming in the near future, but will run only on Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate editions.
Microsoft had not responded to requests for further information at the time of writing, so it is not clear whether customers would require an additional licence to cover the XP environment or whether this would be included.

The company already offers a similar tool for larger companies with enterprise licence agreements. Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation, part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, enables customers to run legacy applications under Windows Vista.

Although running inside a virtual machine, this is hidden from the user who just launches and uses such applications as normal.

DEVELOPMENT: Google launches API for Google Analytics

Google has announced the release of an API for Google Analytics. This means developers will be more tightly integrate information into users back office, web and mobile applications.

Announcement Headline: A Google Analytics API has long been one of our most widely anticipated features. Today we're pleased to announce that the Google Analytics Data Export API beta is now publicly available to all Analytics users!

What's so exciting about an API? The API will allow developers to extend Google Analytics in new and creative ways that benefit developers, organizations and end users. Large organizations and agencies now have a standardized platform for integrating Analytics data with their own business data. Developers can integrate Google Analytics into their existing products and create standalone applications that they sell. Users could see snapshots of their Analytics data in developer created dashboards and gadgets. Individuals and business owners will have opportunities to access their Google Analytics information in a variety of new ways.

For the full announcement, please see the Google Analytics Blog post.

For more information on Hilltops IT's software development services and to speak with one of our development team about the possibilities for integrating Google Analytics information into your business support systems, please contact us by phone on +44(0) 1782 564252 or by email: development@hilltopsit.co.uk