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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Microsoft BI (MSBI)

    Score8.5 out of 10
    N/AMicrosoft BI is a business intelligence product used for data analysis and generating reports on server-based data. It features unlimited data analysis capacity with its reporting engine, SQL Server Reporting Services alongside ETL, master data management, and data cleansing.

    $14

    per month per user

    Pipeline CRM

    Score5.2 out of 10
    N/AFounded in 2006, Pipeline CRM (formerly PipelineDeals) is a CRM for small and midsize businesses, empowering sales teams across a breadth of industries to build game changing relationships. Pipeline is built around a customizable user experience, sales focused features, and customer support and service. The vendor, headquartered in Seattle, boasts 18,000 users in 60 countries who use Pipeline to gain visibility into their sales, accelerate opportunities, and close more deals.

    $29

    per month

    Pricing
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)Pipeline CRM
    Editions & Modules
    Power BI Pro
    $14
    per month per user
    Power BI Premium
    $24
    per month per user
    Start
    $300
    per year per user
    Develop
    $396
    per year per user
    Develop
    $588
    per year per user
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)Pipeline CRM
    Free Trial
    NoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)Pipeline CRM
    Considered Both Products
    Microsoft
    No answer on this topic
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    15 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    15 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    15 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    13 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    11 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)Pipeline CRM
    BI Standard Reporting
    Comparison of BI Standard Reporting features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    9.0
    53 Ratings
    10% above category average
    Pipeline CRM
    -
    Ratings
    Pixel Perfect reports8.546 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customizable dashboards9.653 Ratings00 Ratings
    Report Formatting Templates8.951 Ratings00 Ratings
    Ad-hoc Reporting
    Comparison of Ad-hoc Reporting features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    8.5
    53 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Pipeline CRM
    -
    Ratings
    Drill-down analysis8.548 Ratings00 Ratings
    Formatting capabilities8.253 Ratings00 Ratings
    Integration with R or other statistical packages8.342 Ratings00 Ratings
    Report sharing and collaboration8.953 Ratings00 Ratings
    Report Output and Scheduling
    Comparison of Report Output and Scheduling features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    8.5
    52 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Pipeline CRM
    -
    Ratings
    Publish to Web9.348 Ratings00 Ratings
    Publish to PDF9.148 Ratings00 Ratings
    Report Versioning7.444 Ratings00 Ratings
    Report Delivery Scheduling8.547 Ratings00 Ratings
    Delivery to Remote Servers8.426 Ratings00 Ratings
    Data Discovery and Visualization
    Comparison of Data Discovery and Visualization features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    8.7
    52 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Pipeline CRM
    -
    Ratings
    Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)9.651 Ratings00 Ratings
    Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization8.748 Ratings00 Ratings
    Predictive Analytics7.745 Ratings00 Ratings
    Pattern Recognition and Data Mining8.76 Ratings00 Ratings
    Access Control and Security
    Comparison of Access Control and Security features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    9.3
    53 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Pipeline CRM
    -
    Ratings
    Multi-User Support (named login)9.449 Ratings00 Ratings
    Role-Based Security Model9.347 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)8.949 Ratings00 Ratings
    Report-Level Access Control9.36 Ratings00 Ratings
    Single Sign-On (SSO)9.431 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile Capabilities
    Comparison of Mobile Capabilities features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    8.0
    42 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Pipeline CRM
    -
    Ratings
    Responsive Design for Web Access8.239 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile Application8.030 Ratings00 Ratings
    Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile7.739 Ratings00 Ratings
    Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding
    Comparison of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    8.5
    24 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Pipeline CRM
    -
    Ratings
    REST API9.221 Ratings00 Ratings
    Javascript API8.821 Ratings00 Ratings
    iFrames8.820 Ratings00 Ratings
    Java API8.718 Ratings00 Ratings
    Themeable User Interface (UI)8.021 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customizable Platform (Open Source)7.319 Ratings00 Ratings
    Sales Force Automation
    Comparison of Sales Force Automation features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    6.9
    5 Ratings
    13% below category average
    Customer data management / contact management00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Workflow management00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Territory management00 Ratings7.04 Ratings
    Opportunity management00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Integration with email client (e.g., Outlook or Gmail)00 Ratings4.05 Ratings
    Contract management00 Ratings5.05 Ratings
    Quote & order management00 Ratings6.03 Ratings
    Interaction tracking00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Channel / partner relationship management00 Ratings7.04 Ratings
    Customer Service & Support
    Comparison of Customer Service & Support features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    7.8
    3 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Case management00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
    Call center management00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
    Help desk management00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
    Marketing Automation
    Comparison of Marketing Automation features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    5.0
    4 Ratings
    43% below category average
    Lead management00 Ratings8.04 Ratings
    Email marketing00 Ratings2.02 Ratings
    CRM Project Management
    Comparison of CRM Project Management features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    4.5
    5 Ratings
    52% below category average
    Task management00 Ratings3.04 Ratings
    Billing and invoicing management00 Ratings5.53 Ratings
    Reporting00 Ratings5.03 Ratings
    CRM Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of CRM Reporting & Analytics features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    6.7
    5 Ratings
    13% below category average
    Forecasting00 Ratings8.03 Ratings
    Pipeline visualization00 Ratings5.05 Ratings
    Customizable reports00 Ratings7.05 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    9.5
    5 Ratings
    22% above category average
    Custom fields00 Ratings10.05 Ratings
    Custom objects00 Ratings10.05 Ratings
    Scripting environment00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
    API for custom integration00 Ratings10.05 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    6.0
    3 Ratings
    33% below category average
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings6.02 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions00 Ratings6.02 Ratings
    Social CRM
    Comparison of Social CRM features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    8.1
    2 Ratings
    8% above category average
    Social data00 Ratings8.12 Ratings
    Social engagement00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
    Integrations with 3rd-party Software
    Comparison of Integrations with 3rd-party Software features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    4.6
    3 Ratings
    48% below category average
    Marketing automation00 Ratings2.03 Ratings
    Compensation management00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
    Platform
    Comparison of Platform features of Microsoft BI (MSBI) and Pipeline CRM
    Feature
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)
    -
    Ratings
    Pipeline CRM
    8.0
    5 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Mobile access00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)Pipeline CRM
    Small Businesses
    Cyfe
    Score4 out of 10
    Salesflare
    Score10 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Qlik Cloud Analytics (Qlik Sense)
    Score8.1 out of 10
    Kintone
    Score9.7 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Jaspersoft Community Edition
    Score7 out of 10
    Oracle Sales
    Score8.9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)Pipeline CRM
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.9
    (77 ratings)
    7.0
    (6 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    8.0
    (25 ratings)
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    Usability
    8.9
    (19 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Availability
    9.5
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Performance
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    8.9
    (15 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    6.9
    (3 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Online Training
    8.5
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    9.6
    (7 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Configurability
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Data Sharing and Collaboration
    8.5
    (42 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Data Sources
    8.4
    (41 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Microsoft BI (MSBI)Pipeline CRM
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Microsoft
    Microsoft BI has a lot of features and is a very powerful tool, especially if you have folks on your team that know how to utilize all of its capabilities. To truly unlock all that it can do, it does require people to have a deep understanding of its capabilities. That's where the software really shines. If you are looking for a simpler, more basic reporting tool, there are other programs available that do not require such a steep learning curve.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    If you have a small business where you are trying to keep things simple, then PipelineDeals is a perfect fit. Once you get to where you are wanting to tie your marketing efforts and create marketing campaigns that are tied to leads, it starts to miss the mark
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Microsoft
    • Comparatively easy to use compared to other data analytics solutions, collaborating with other colleagues on data work is simple.
    • Using Visual Studio for database, ETL, reporting, and analytics development save time and money.
    • Transfer of data from one application to another via Excel and comparison of data attributes between applications
    • Dashboard functionality, as well as Python support, are available, allowing you to add additional charts and graphs.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    • Flexibility: It provides the flexibility to set it up how you want to use it. Customization is beyond what you probably want or need.
    • Reporting: We were able to setup all types of reporting and tracking.
    • Ease of Use: While the platform was powerful, it was always easy to use.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Microsoft
    • MSBI designs can work on increasing data processing capabilities enough to handle the huge datasets etc.
    • It would be a lot better if it is a little low on cost.
    • it needs to create opportunities little more than they do regarding customization of some very unique visualization effects
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    • I wouldn't say no areas for improvement exist, but I will say that PipelineDeals takes customer input, shared product roadmap, and supports what they have very nicely. What they provide works out-of-the-box. Improvements can always be made with respect to pre-packaged integration with 3rd party services/solutions, and with extended attributes, but you also want to avoid something that attempts to boil the ocean.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Microsoft
    Microsoft BI is fundamental to our suite of BI applications. That being said, Northcraft Analytics is focused on delighting our customers, so if the underlying factors of our decision change, we would choose to re-write our BI applications on a different stack. Luckily, mathematics are the fundamental IP of our technology... and is portable across all BI platforms for the foreseeable future.
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    If we can integrate and easily export and clean all of our data such that it can be used for multiple purposes, i.e. outreach to guests, sending out newsletters to subscribers, doing research and tracking progress, we will definitely renew
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Microsoft
    The Microsoft BI tools have great usability for both developers and end users alike. For developers familiar with Visual Studio, there is little learning curve. For those not, the single Visual Studio IDE means not having to learn separate tools for each component. For end-users, the web interface for SSRS is simple to navigate with intuitive controls. For ad-hoc analysis, Excel can connect directly to SSAS and provide a pivot table like experience which is familiar to many users. For database development, there is beginning to be some confusion, as there are now three tool choices (VS, SSMS, Azure Data Studio) for developers. I would like to see Azure Data Studio become the superset of SSMS and eventually supplant it.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    The user interface is simple and easy to navigate. Anyone who is overwhelmed with some of the more complicated CRM systems will definitely enjoy the simplicity of what PipelineDeals has to offer
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    Microsoft
    The product has been reliable.
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    No answers on this topic
    Performance
    Microsoft
    SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) can drag at times. We created two report servers and placed them under an F5 load balancer. This configuration has worked well. We have seen sluggish performance at times due to the Windows Firewall.
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    Microsoft
    MSBI natively has a site that allows you to vote on user enhancements and bug fixes. This allows the largest nagging issues to float to the top and the development team can prioritize accordingly. As mentioned earlier, the large community base of MSBI developers assist technical resources in handling technical questions.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    Any time I have had questions or issues that have come up I've always been able to get a quick response and a resolution to what I was needing.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    In-Person Training
    Microsoft
    This training was more directed toward what the product was capable of rather than actual programming.
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    No answers on this topic
    Online Training
    Microsoft
    I have used on-line training from Microsoft and from Pragmatic Works. I would recommend Pragmatic Works as the best way to get up to speed quickly, and then use the Microsoft on-line training to deep dive into specific features that you need to get depth with.
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation Rating
    Microsoft
    We are a consulting firm and as such our best resources are always billing on client projects. Our internal implementation has weaknesses, but that's true for any company like ours. My rating is based on the product's ease of implementation.
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Microsoft
    We have used the built in ConnectWise Manager reports and custom reports. The reports provide static data. PowerBI shows us live data we can drill down into and easily adjust parameters. It's much more useful than a static PDF report.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    The cost is much better and it is much easier to use. Salesforce was way too robust and I never want to hire a consultant to set up a CRM. PipelineDeals CRM has the best visibility of our sales efforts.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Microsoft
    • As a SaaS provider we see being able to provide self-service BI to our client users as a competitive advantage. In fact the MSSQL enabled BI is a contributing factor to many winning RFPs we have done for prospective client organisations.
    • However MSSQL BI requires extensive knowledge and skills to design and develop data warehouses & data models as a foundation to support business analysts and users to interrogate data effectively and efficiently. Often times we find having strong in-house MSSQL expertise is a bless.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pipeline CRM PipelineDeals
    • Has made us understand sales tactics that are working
    • Easily create forecasting on growth in multiple categories
    • Understand our process and what we need to improve on in closing deals
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Pipeline CRM Screenshots

    Screenshot of the Pipeline CRM main dashboardScreenshot of a Kanban viewScreenshot of a lead list viewScreenshot of the Pipeline CRM Help Center and Resources