Today, Microsoft announced that SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services will include a Bing Maps based option to display geospatial data stored in the database. These reporting services all thematic maps to be produced from SQL Server 2008's geospatial data types, or from ESRI Shape (SHP) files. R2 is due for release in the first half of 2010, but the new Reporting Services are available in the August Community Technology Preview (CTP).

Although the geospatial capabilities of SQL Server 2008 were released over a year ago, Microsoft continue to add methods of accessing or updating the data in a visual and less-technical manner. Even though it requires an Internet connection, a Bing Maps based reporting tool should be popular with end users.

Johannes Kebeck's blog announcement, including links for the CTP download can be found here.