As organisations begin to recognise the importance of harnessing data to uncover business-enhancing insights, many rush to implement sophisticated Power BI solutions that will help them process information and build engaging reports.
Frequent readers of our blog will be familiar with the service and the regular update cycles that are introduced in direct response to customer feedback, however, there may be some people that are still unsure about the key benefits associated with the service.
In this blog, we break down seven of the most significant benefits of Power BI, so that new users know exactly what they are getting from their investment in the technology.
1. Features
The Power BI service is rich in features and has full compatibility with other important Microsoft services and platforms. Meanwhile, the app itself is capable of processing large quantities of data and displaying these insights within engaging visualisations that empower organisations during the decision-making process. Other key Power BI features include reporting, analytics, modelling and data connectivity – these features combine to deliver a comprehensive data analytics service that is vital for driving positive organisational change.
2. Key functionality
Power BI caters to users with varying levels of technical experience and expertise, as it utilises drag-and-drop functionality to streamline the report-building process. With the option to drill-down into data visualisations, users can select important information and use this to easily uncover business-enhancing insights. Instead of requiring users to learn a complex query language, natural language queries are used to offer a much simpler experience.
3. Accessibility
Another key benefit of Power BI is that it can be easily accessed through a variety of platforms and devices, including Android, iOS and Windows. This gives users the flexibility needed to interact with data remotely, with interfaces and reports that adjust to meet the technical requirements of each device. The user friendliness of the app also means that employees with limited experience can learn how to use it quickly, regardless of which device they are operating from.
4. Updates
As previously mentioned, the routine update cycles that Microsoft introduces are a key reason why the platform continues to be successful. Listening carefully to customer feedback, Microsoft only implements features that will deliver noticeable value to the userbase, ensuring the service evolves over time and is fit for purpose.
5. Up-to-date insights
With access to an easy-to-use data analytics solution, businesses have the ability to transform masses of information into important insights. These insights can then be broken down into actions that allow you to drive the business forward with a clear sense of purpose and direction. All of these insights are uncovered in real-time too, so organisations can be confident that the actions are still relevant.
6. Connectivity
Power BI is supported by a wide range of data sources, which enables users to access information from across their business to build comprehensive datasets from multiple sources. Of course, connecting to various data sources comes with its own set of security concerns, so Power BI is continuously updating and improving its security measures in accordance with international requirements.
7. Cost
Understandably for new customers, the question of ‘how much?’ is a key factor when deciding whether or not to implement Power BI. Currently there are two versions to choose from; Power BI Pro, which is the entry level solution, and Power BI Premium, which is more expensive but perfect for businesses that need to repeatedly refresh their data.
Find a solution that works for you…
If your business is yet to implement Power BI and is still researching possible solutions, then it’s important to consult an experienced technical team that have an in-depth understanding of the platform and the various features it has to offer.
As a new user, the prospect of technical transformation can be quite daunting, especially when it comes to data analytics, which comes with its own specific security requirements related to data protection.
If you need help finding a solution that meets your unique requirements, then contact our in-house team of experts for more advice.