Microsoft Power BI
Along with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is it part of the Microsoft suite of business intelligence / data tools. Power BI is part of the Office 365 suite of tools.
PowerBI is targeted toward the same audience that uses the rest of the Microsoft suite of business intelligence / data tools. Primarily, this will be business intelligence developers ... people whose full-time job it is to develop and publish business intelligence dashboards and reports. It should not be considered a "replacement" for Microsoft Access or Microsoft Excel.
PowerBI will be a significant technical investment for most people.
- Anything beyond very rudimentary data sets will require knowledge of data modeling, because you will need to define the relationships between tables.
- To make use of many PowerBI features, you'll need to understand how to write at least basic DAX.
If you're up for the technical challenge, more information is available about this service on the BISSC Power BI Site.
If you are planning to connect to the University Data Warehouse (UDW):
- You will need to install ODAC drivers because the UDW runs on Oracle.
- You will need to know how to write SQL queries; the tables are too large to import the entire table.
- The UDW requires multi-factor authentication when logging in with a HawkID. Because of the way queries run in parallel in Power BI, connecting with a HawkID can be challenging due to the number of simultaneous DUO prompts.
- You will likely need to secure a service account to make Power BI queries on the UDW work from your desktop, and you will absolutely need them if you want to implement automatic refresh of data.
If you are planning to create solutions that will be shared beyond your own use:
- You will likely need to invest in a Power BI training course.
- You will need to either get a folder on the internal Power BI server or a workspace on UIowa's premium Power BI tenant.
You will need to install the correct Power BI Desktop.
- There is one version for the internal Power BI server and another for the cloud version.
- Power BI Desktop editor does not have a Mac version. In theory, Mac users with a virtual Windows environment installed on their Mac can install Power BI Desktop within the virtual environment, but this is not currently a supported configuration.
How much does it cost?
- Power BI is free for faculty and staff.
- All others, including temporary employees and student MAY NEED TO PURCHASE A LICENSE. (see Fees)
Getting Power BI Support
- University of Iowa Health Care: Log into the self service portal at https://service.uiowa.edu/
- Students: Contact your instructor
- Instructors Wishing to Use Power BI in a Course: Email PowerBI-Support@uiowa.edu
- All Other Users: Email PowerBI-Support@uiowa.edu
Overview
Fees
Prices are contingent on the annual Microsoft software agreement.
- All University of Iowa employees (not students) have a "pro" license free of charge. No action is required.
- Student and temporary employees must PURCHASE a license. Additional information on purchasing a license is available on the Microsoft Power BI Pro (Student Employees) software licensing page.
- University of Iowa Health Care: Log into the self service portal at https://service.uiowa.edu/
- Students: Contact your instructor
- Instructors Wishing to Use Power BI in a Course: Email PowerBI-Support@uiowa.edu
- All Other Users: Email PowerBI-Support@uiowa.edu