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A comprehensive guide to Power BI: How it benefits users

# : SMART OPERATIONS | DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT

Wed, 10 Jun 2020

3 to 5 mins read

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Connecting data sources allows a user more freedom. From interactive data to coherent insights, Power BI does it all. It turns your data sources into visually immersive, shareable information. If you're not already familiar with how it works, we have what you need. Here is a comprehensive guide to Power BI and how it benefits users.

What is Power BI?

A simple explanation comes from the creators of Power BI, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft Power BI  is a collection of software services, apps, and connectors that work together to turn your unrelated sources of data into coherent, visually immersive, and interactive insights.  is a collection of software services, apps, and connectors that work together to turn your unrelated sources of data into coherent, visually immersive, and interactive insights.

A more in-depth explanation is that it is a suite of Microsoft business analytics tools. These tools perform various actions. These include analyzing data and generating visual dashboards across varying platforms.

Power BI Components

There are many things possible in Power BI with the building blocks that are available.

Visualizations

This is the visual part of the data. This includes things like color-coded maps, or charts. Anything you use to represent your information in an appealing way. You can keep it simple or add in visually complex components to tailor it the way that works best for your team. This delivery of your data is an atmosphere more conducive to seeing it in various formats. This is the visual part of the data. It includes things like color-coded maps, charts, or anything you use to represent your information in an appealing way.

Datasets

This is where a collection of data combines. For instance, you create a single data set that combines varying aspects. An example is an Excel table, a website table, and an email marketing campaign. By using filtered data, the focus is on which areas have the greatest importance.

Reports

These are like any other report - a collection of data together in one component. Yet, Power BI allows you to use many pages, create a variety of visualizations, and arrange them to fit your needs.

Dashboards

Your dashboard is like other dashboards but you have sharing ability with others. It is your workspace to create visuals that tell a story or provide quick data insight. Tailor your dashboard to what works best for your needs. The customization is easy and insightful.

Tiles

A tile in Power BI is on your dashboard or report. It is a single visualization. These rectangular boxes have one visual in them. They can be resized or arranged as needed. Yet, viewers cannot change the size or arrangement - they can interact with it. Only the owner has the ability to make changes to the tile itself.

The Benefits of Power BI

A cloud-based smart solution, Power BI has many benefits for users. 

Speed and Memory

Since Power BI is a cloud-based solution, there are no speed constraints or memory shortages. The data is accessible at a moment's notice.

Personalized Dashboards

Customization is seamless with Power BI's dashboard. The visualizations are rich and immersive while customization is up to the user.

Secure Publishing

All users have the capability of accessing data. With automatic data refresh, published reports are up to date immediately.

A Powerful Combination of Tools

The combination of AI, cloud services, and data management is a  that's comprehensive.

Open Visibility

Power BI is accessible from anywhere and across many platforms, making it seamless.

A Powerful Combination of Tools

Azure, Great Plains, Microsoft SQL, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Sage Intacct, Intuit Quickbooks, Web, and Oracle.

Leveraging Data

Power BI is ideal for leveraging data and creating a more accurate data pool.

According to an article on Forbes titled Transforming Ryder Cup Strategy with Analytics from Microsoft Power BI by Tony Bradley:

With easy-to-use data visualization tools in the hands of captains, analyzing tons of data and player performance to create the best match-ups has never been easier. Previously, the PGA of America used paper documents, which became easily outdated during the season, requiring additional analysis. Now, with Microsoft Power BI, the PGA of America can understand player performance with real-time insights, elevating their game on and off the course. Heading into the 2018 event, the U.S. Ryder Cup captains are leveraging these data-rich insights to create the best strategy for the U.S. team.

How ERP Solutions help Integrate Power BI Solutions

ERP software integrates all facets of an operation in a single database, application and user interface. This includes including product planning, development, manufacturing, sales, and marketing.

Think of ERP like a huge warehouse where data is stored and retrieved.

While you put your data into an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, another system is needed. This is where Power BI comes in and takes the data and insight to provide a better way to capture the information.
With the warehouse as an example, let's say you wanted to retrieve reports from May to July of 2016. Searching for the documents is time-consuming and tedious. Working together with ERP, Power BI provides better projections and management of the company's data.

Enterprise Resource Planning is where the recorded items go. Think of it as that warehouse, a place where all transactions, details, and activities stay. Power BI opens that data into easier accessibility. ERP streamlines your data and Power BI has advanced analytics. This is the perfect combination of helpful tools for your company.

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