Microsoft boosts reporting tools

Microsoft on Wednesday released free tools to generate business reports from Microsoft's Exchange and customer relationship management applications. It also said that SQL Server 2005, the next version of its database--due early next year--will include a tool that will let business analysts create and modify reports. The tool will be based on technology gained from the acquisition of a small company called ActiveViews earlier this year.

Microsoft made the announcements at the Professional Association for SQL Server customer conference in Orlando, Fla. Microsoft released its reporting services for its SQL Server 2000 database in January. It plans to use the reporting services to generate reports from other products, including the next version of its Microsoft Operations Manager management tools and customer relationship management applications.