Introduction

CM gathers a vast amount of data from your clients, but in order to use that data to make useful asset reports, you will need to install SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) so that you can install a Reporting Services Point (RSP).

In order to edit the default reports that come with an RSP or to help locate and target certain systems or users with a deployment, you need to know how to create and edit queries (both, SQL and WQL queries).

Tip

SQL versus WQL - What's the difference?

Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to query SQL database, such as the Microsoft SQL database used with CM. WMI Query Language (WQL) is used to query Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). CM relies heavily on WMI. You can watchsmsprov.log on any primary or CAS and learn a lot about WQL and SQL, including how to convert between the two. In CM, we use SQL to build reports, and WQL to create collections and queries.