What is Reporting and What is It Used For?

Reporting is the process of gathering, organizing and presenting data in a structured way to convey information, insights or analysis to business users (stakeholders). It involves collecting relevant data, transforming it into a readable format and delivering it through various ways such as charts, graphs, tables or written summaries. Reporting serves to inform decision-making, track performance, monitor progress and communicate outcomes in both business and personal contexts.

Modern reporting tools, also referred to as data visualization tools, offer far more than the basic charts and graphs available in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. They present data in advanced formats such as infographics, dials and gauges, geographical maps, heat maps and intricate bar, pie and other chart variations.

Embedded reporting refers to the integration of reporting and data visualization capabilities directly within business applications. Instead of relying on separate, standalone reporting tools, embedded reporting allows users to create, edit and view reports within the context of the applications they are already using. This integration facilitates real-time data analysis and decision-making without the need to switch between different software tools.

Traditionally, IT departments handled the entire report creation process, including authoring, styling, editing, exporting and integrating reporting tools into other business applications. However, with embedded reporting, business users can now easily create, edit and visualize reports within other applications. Developer involvement is limited to the initial integration phase, allowing business users to take control afterward. In essence, embedded reporting streamlines data visualization for business users and frees up developers' time.

There are many embedded reporting tools and Telerik Reporting is one of them. It is a complete .NET reporting tool for effortless report design for developers and business users. Supports: ASP.NET Core, Blazor, ASP.NET MVC, ASP.NET Web Forms, Angular, React, WPF, WinForms. Deployed on Windows and Linux, On-Premises or in Cloud.