UVU Power BI Software and Tools

Power BI Related Software and Tools Available:

Power BI Desktop
A free application you can install on your local computer to connect to, transform, and visualize your data. Power BI Desktop is a complete data analysis and report creation tool. 
Key Features: 
  • Data modeling 
  • Data visualization 
  • Report creation 
  • DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) for custom calculations 
Use Case: Ideal for developing reports and data models locally. 
Download: Power BI Desktop 

Power BI Service
An online SaaS (Software as a Service) service for sharing, collaborating, and distributing the reports created in Power BI Desktop. It allows users to view and interact with their reports via web browsers or mobile devices. 
Key Features: 
  • Real-time dashboards 
  • Interactive reports 
  • Sharing and collaboration 
  • Integration with other Microsoft services like Azure and Office 365 
Use Case: Suitable for deploying, sharing, and collaborating on Power BI reports. 
Access: Power BI Service 

Power BI Mobile
Mobile applications for iOS, Android, and Windows that allow users to access and interact with Power BI reports and dashboards on the go. 
Key Features: 
  • Mobile-optimized views 
  • Interactive dashboards and reports 
  • Push notifications for data alerts 
Use Case: Provides access to Power BI content from mobile devices, ensuring insights are always available. 
Download: Available on iOS, Android, and Windows app stores. 

Power BI Embedded
A service in Azure that allows application developers to embed Power BI reports and dashboards into their own applications. 
Key Features: 
  • Embedding capabilities 
  • Customizable user experiences 
  • APIs for embedding and interacting with reports 
Use Case: Ideal for ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) and developers who want to embed analytics into their own applications. 
More Info: Power BI Embedded 

Power BI Premium
A capacity-based licensing model that provides dedicated resources and enhanced performance for Power BI reports and dashboards. 
Key Features: 
  • Dedicated cloud compute and storage resources 
  • Larger data model sizes 
  • Paginated reports 
  • Higher refresh rates 
Use Case: Suitable for larger organizations that need dedicated capacity and advanced features. 
More Info: Power BI Premium 

Power BI Dataflows
A feature within Power BI that allows for the creation and management of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes in the cloud. 
Key Features: 
  • Data transformation and cleansing 
  • Scheduled refresh 
  • Reusability across multiple reports 
Use Case: Useful for preparing and managing large datasets across multiple reports. 
More Info: Power BI Dataflows 

Power BI Report Builder

Power BI Report Builder 
A tool used for creating paginated reports, which are ideal for generating documents optimized for printing or PDF generation. These reports are called "paginated" because they are designed to fit well on a page, with precise control over layout and formatting. 
Key Features: 

  • Precise Layout Control: Allows for detailed control over the report's layout, including fonts, colors, and positioning of elements. 
  • Variety of Data Sources: Connects to various data sources such as SQL Server, Oracle, and others. 
  • Dynamic Parameters and Filters: Supports the creation of parameters and filters to allow users to dynamically interact with the report data. 
  • Export Options: Reports can be exported in multiple formats, including PDF, Word, Excel, and HTML. 
  • Integration with Power BI Service and Report Server: Reports can be deployed to the Power BI Service or Power BI Report Server for broader distribution. 

Usage: 

  • Operational Reports: Such as invoices, order lists, and transaction reports. 
  • Regulatory Compliance: Reports that need specific formatting and adhere to legal requirements. 
  • Printable Documents: Any document that requires precise formatting for print or PDF. 

Installation: 

  • Requirements: Windows OS (Windows 8.1 or later) and .NET Framework 4.6.2 or later. 
  • Download: Available from the Microsoft Download Center. 

Power BI Report Builder is essential for creating detailed, print-ready reports that complement the interactive capabilities of Power BI Desktop. 

Resources: 

Licensing Overview:
  • Free License: Limited to individual use, no sharing or collaboration features.
  • Pro License: Allows sharing, collaboration, and broader service usage, costing approximately $9.99 per user per month.
  • Premium Per User (PPU) License: Includes all Pro features plus additional capabilities, available for $20 per user per month.
  • Premium Capacity: Provides dedicated resources for large organizations, allowing extensive sharing and collaboration without needing Pro licenses for every user.

Additional Resources:

These resources should help you get a comprehensive understanding of the Power BI ecosystem and its capabilities.