Microsoft Power BI
A business intelligence reporting and data visualization tool by Microsoft.
Product Overview
Power BI from Microsoft is a suite of business analytics tools designed for data analysis and sharing insights. It offers a view of critical business metrics in real time, accessible on any device. Users can explore data with visualization tools and utilize over 50 connections to popular business applications and pre-built dashboards. The Power BI Mobile apps ensure that data and reports are always up-to-date and accessible from anywhere.
It allows the combination of data from various sources, automatic data quality fixes, and the creation of reports with built-in and custom visuals. Power BI gateways connect SQL Server databases, A.I. models, and other data sources to Power BI dashboards. Additionally, Power BI reports and dashboards can be embedded into existing portals or applications for a unified experience using Power BI Embedded Analytics.
Pros
- Free version available
- Frequent updates
- High-impact, visual data summaries
- Integration with Microsoft products
- Similar interface to MS Word and Outlook
- Large number of custom visualizations
Cons
- Basic features
- Cannot share without upgrading to Pro
- Limited access to other databases and servers
- Number of options can be overwhelming to beginners
- Sharing reports/dashboards is costly
Target Market
Power BI is best for businesses and individuals who work with Excel and desire a more powerful tool to visualize and analyze their data. The system can be used by all industries and business types that are looking to transform data, primarily businesses that feel Excel is lacking and require more advanced dashboards and reporting.Video Overview
What is Power BI?
Power BI is a data visualization and analytics tool from Microsoft that lets businesses transform raw data into meaningful insights through dashboards. Both free and paid versions help create custom reports and visualize data in an easy-to-understand way. Its integration with other Microsoft products enhances its appeal to those familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem or looking to plug into existing technology.
Features
Power BI Desktop
- Basic report creation
- Connect to hundreds of data sources
- Clean and prepare your data with various visual tools
- Unable to publish or share reports
Power BI Pro
- Publish and share reports
- Automatic software updates
- Audit and set user limitations
- 8 daily dataset refreshes
- Maximum storage of 10 GB/user
Power BI Premium
- Share data with users in and out of your business
- Manage dedicated server capacity
- Interactive online reports
- 48 daily dataset refreshes
- Maximum storage of 100 TB
Power BI Embedded
- Embedded Power BI reports and dashboards into applications, portals, or websites
- Ability to white label reports and dashboards as your own
- Use Power BI content without a paid per-user license
Pricing
The cost of Power BI depends on the number of users as well as data size, data update frequency, and the size of deployment. Prices for Power BI are typically advertised on a per month basis but require an annual subscription. Discounts are available for academic, government, and nonprofit organizations.
Below are the starting costs for each plan.
| Plan | Price | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Power BI Desktop | $0 | Individual users for personal data analysis and visualization. |
| Power BI Pro | $10 per user/month | Teams and organizations needing collaborative analytics and sharing capabilities. |
| Power BI Premium Per User | $20 per user/month | Individuals and small teams requiring premium features like AI, paginated reports, and large model sizes. |
| Power BI Premium | Starting at $4,995 per capacity*/month | Large organizations requiring higher performance and scalability. Suitable for embedding analytics and managing large datasets. |
| Power BI Embedded | Requires custom quote, based on usage | Developers embedding analytics into applications for external users or customers. Scalable for varying user demands. |
- Capacity is the dedicated set of resources reserved for an organization’s exclusive use.
Note: Prices updated as of July 2024
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