Microsoft Power BI vs. SAP Business ByDesign

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Power BI
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Power BI is a visualization and data discovery tool from Microsoft. It allows users to convert data into visuals and graphics, visually explore and analyze data, collaborate on interactive dashboards and reports, and scale across their organization with built-in governance and security.
$10
per month per user
SAP Business ByDesign
Score 7.6 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
SAP Business ByDesign is SAP's cloud ERP suite offering, launched in 2007, designed for the SMB market. The product includes a broad range of capabilities including financials, human resources, sales, procurement, customer service, and supply chain. Business ByDesign is a new platform, delivered entirely through a SaaS model, with functionality that overlaps somewhat with BusinessOne, which is also an SMB product, although not a true SaaS product.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Power BISAP Business ByDesign
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft Power BISAP Business ByDesign
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional DetailsSAP Business ByDesign is available for a monthly software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription, based on a base package, user types, and number of users.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft Power BISAP Business ByDesign
Features
Microsoft Power BISAP Business ByDesign
BI Standard Reporting
Comparison of BI Standard Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
8.4
193 Ratings
3% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Pixel Perfect reports8.3164 Ratings00 Ratings
Customizable dashboards8.8192 Ratings00 Ratings
Report Formatting Templates8.0175 Ratings00 Ratings
Ad-hoc Reporting
Comparison of Ad-hoc Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.9
191 Ratings
2% below category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Drill-down analysis8.2188 Ratings00 Ratings
Formatting capabilities7.7188 Ratings00 Ratings
Integration with R or other statistical packages7.3140 Ratings00 Ratings
Report sharing and collaboration8.5186 Ratings00 Ratings
Report Output and Scheduling
Comparison of Report Output and Scheduling features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
8.1
184 Ratings
2% below category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Publish to Web8.3174 Ratings00 Ratings
Publish to PDF8.2169 Ratings00 Ratings
Report Versioning7.7141 Ratings00 Ratings
Report Delivery Scheduling8.3144 Ratings00 Ratings
Delivery to Remote Servers7.9107 Ratings00 Ratings
Data Discovery and Visualization
Comparison of Data Discovery and Visualization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.8
184 Ratings
2% below category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)8.2178 Ratings00 Ratings
Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization8.1163 Ratings00 Ratings
Predictive Analytics7.4133 Ratings00 Ratings
Pattern Recognition and Data Mining7.434 Ratings00 Ratings
Access Control and Security
Comparison of Access Control and Security features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
8.6
175 Ratings
1% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Multi-User Support (named login)8.8165 Ratings00 Ratings
Role-Based Security Model8.5143 Ratings00 Ratings
Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)8.4155 Ratings00 Ratings
Report-Level Access Control8.444 Ratings00 Ratings
Single Sign-On (SSO)8.7137 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile Capabilities
Comparison of Mobile Capabilities features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
8.0
157 Ratings
2% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Responsive Design for Web Access7.8147 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile Application7.7128 Ratings00 Ratings
Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile8.0150 Ratings00 Ratings
Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding
Comparison of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.8
113 Ratings
1% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
REST API8.2101 Ratings00 Ratings
Javascript API7.682 Ratings00 Ratings
iFrames8.055 Ratings00 Ratings
Java API6.967 Ratings00 Ratings
Themeable User Interface (UI)7.588 Ratings00 Ratings
Customizable Platform (Open Source)8.444 Ratings00 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
8.4
2 Ratings
14% above category average
Benefit plan administration00 Ratings4.51 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings9.11 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
5 Ratings
20% above category average
API for custom integration00 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Plug-ins00 Ratings9.25 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.3
5 Ratings
11% above category average
Single sign-on capability00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Role-based user permissions00 Ratings9.65 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
5 Ratings
22% above category average
Dashboards00 Ratings8.85 Ratings
Standard reports00 Ratings9.25 Ratings
Custom reports00 Ratings9.65 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
8.7
5 Ratings
13% above category average
Accounts payable00 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Accounts receivable00 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Global Financial Support00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings8.82 Ratings
Configurable Accounting00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Standardized Processes00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.1
4 Ratings
13% above category average
Inventory tracking00 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Automatic reordering00 Ratings10.03 Ratings
Location management00 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
8.5
4 Ratings
7% above category average
Pricing00 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Order entry00 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Credit card processing00 Ratings4.51 Ratings
Cost of goods sold00 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Order Orchestration00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Subledger and Financial Process
Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
3 Ratings
21% above category average
Billing Management00 Ratings8.83 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management00 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Period Close00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Project Financial Management
Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
2 Ratings
19% above category average
Budgeting and Forecasting00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Project Costing00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Cost Capture00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Capital Project Management00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Customer Contract Compliance00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Project Revenue Recognition00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Project Execution Management
Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
8.3
3 Ratings
18% above category average
Project Planning and Scheduling00 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Task Insight for Project Managers00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Grants Management
Comparison of Grants Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
10.0
1 Ratings
31% above category average
Award Lifecycle Management00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
8.0
1 Ratings
13% above category average
Bids Analyzed and Compared00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Supplier Management00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Logistics
Comparison of Logistics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
3 Ratings
29% above category average
Warehouse Workforce Management00 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Manufacturing
Comparison of Manufacturing features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
9.0
3 Ratings
19% above category average
Production Process Design00 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Production Management00 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Configuration Management00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Work Execution00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Manufacturing Costs00 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
-
Ratings
SAP Business ByDesign
8.6
3 Ratings
17% above category average
Forecasting00 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Inventory Planning00 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Performance Monitoring00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
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User Ratings
Microsoft Power BISAP Business ByDesign
Likelihood to Recommend
8.5
(195 ratings)
9.6
(7 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.5
(3 ratings)
9.0
(3 ratings)
Usability
8.3
(111 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
9.8
(52 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Power BISAP Business ByDesign
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
Has significantly improved collation of data and visualisation especially with business across Europe. Has given me the ability to see the Site availability at the click of a button to see which Site is in the "money" and seize opportunities based on Market data
Read full review
SAP
Do you plan on going public at some point? If so, this may not be the best solution for you
Read full review
Pros
Microsoft
  • Options for data source connections are immense. Not just which sources, but your options for *how* the data is brought in.
  • Constant updates (this is both good and bad at times).
  • User friendliness. I can get the data connections set up and draft some quick visuals, then release to the target audience and let them expand on it how they want to.
Read full review
SAP
  • I like the ease of use and the implementation methodology.
  • With SAP Business ByDesign you can integrate other systems with Web Services, and data technology to get information easy and fast.
  • SAP Business ByDesign includes an Analytics Module to create new reports in regards to your needs.
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • It would be easier for users could Microsoft Power BI and Excel used the same programming languages.
  • Would like to see the online version of Microsoft Power BI be as powerful as the desktop version.
  • Publishing a Microsoft Power BI file online and then having to save the file is somewhat redundant.
  • Would like to export each page or chart as an image.
Read full review
SAP
  • Time off request could be better. Right now, there is no option for sick time
  • It crashes often
  • Customization could be better
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
Microsoft Power BI is an excellent and scalable tool. It has a learning curve, but once you get past that, the sky is the limit and you can build from the most simple to the most complex dashboards. I have built everything from simple reports with only a few data points to complex reports with many pages and advanced filtering.
Read full review
SAP
SAP BYD work centers are consistent and easy to navigate once you understand one work center. The document flow tab that is in each window allows one to see all related transactions. Document flow is important because one is able to see the flow of transactions and can therefore reverse transactions by following the document flow in reverse. It is possible to group items in each overview screen to see what items are open. The system is working as hoped.
Read full review
Usability
Microsoft
Automating reporting has reduced manual data processing by 50-70%, freeing up analysts for higher-value tasks. A finance team that previously spent 20+ hours per week on Excel-based reports now does it in minutes with Microsoft Power BI's automated Real-time dashboards have shortened decision cycles by 30-40%, enabling leadership to react quickly to sales trends, operational bottlenecks, and customer behavior.
Read full review
SAP
Because SAP Business ByDesign allows us to improve our work, reduce the operational steps, implement audit controls, allows us found standard reports or it allows us to create new ones if you need more than the exists are enough for your work or your needs. Overall, SAP Business ByDesign allows us to standardize our operations, enhance our work, improve our skills, work over a web environment or mobile interface.
Read full review
Support Rating
Microsoft
It is a fantastic tool, you can do almost everything related with data and reports, it is a perfect substitutive of Power Point and Excel with a high evolution and flexibility, and also it is very friendly and easy to share. I think all companies should have Power BI (or other BI tool) in their software package and if they are in the MS Suite, for sure Power BI should be the one due to all the benefits of the MS ecosystem.
Read full review
SAP
The Business ByDesign support is stablished since you contract the service with SAP. SAP resolves according to the service level agreement. Currently, we continue with the service and we are using the support channels available. We are receiving the support. The SAP support gets an incident and after that, they contact us to resolve the incident, if necessary, they set the meeting to understand it or we explain the incident
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Microsoft
It was integrated with our erp easily and was accessible on cloud.
Read full review
SAP
I recommend implementing all workshops during the ERP selection that you need to know very well about the ERP software. It allows us to gather information to accurate the plan of the project implementation. Additionally, we must reach the high-level commitment to achieve the main goals, to define the RACI matrix and communicate to all project stakeholders.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
Microsoft Power BI is free. If I didn't want to create a custom platform (i.e. my organization insisted on an existing platform that I *had* to use), I'd use Microsoft Power BI. For any start-up or SMB, I'd just use Claude & Grok to build it quickly, also for free. Would not pay for Tableau or Sigma anymore. Not worth it at all.
Read full review
SAP
ByDesign stacks up well against the competition. Companies that do multiple things are usually the best fit (manufacturing, distribution, and service). The more 'modules' used, the fewer competitors will be able to meet the company's needs. It is not inexpensive, but if the needs of the company have the complexity from either a global perspective and need localizations and foreign currency, or a volume perspective and need resources greater than what can be easily housed on-premise, ByDesign should be a top consideration.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • Power BI usage reduced the effort of analytical reports creation by about 80%
  • Empowered all the level of employee to be more vigilant of the data and business insights, gained the profit of 8% overall.
  • AI-powered predictive analytics improved forecasting accuracy by 17%, that topped the overall sales.
Read full review
SAP
  • Positive - Access to the real-time reporting allowing for faster decision making especially when fixed price projects are heading into an over budget position.
  • Positive - Complex KPI can now be tracked and as a consequence intensive plans can be made to capitalise on this level of reporting. Staff also have clear visibility over their own performance.
  • Negative - We are a bit on the small side at 30 employees for a ByD solution so it was relatively expensive for us. It would be a much better value preposition above 50 employees.
Read full review
ScreenShots

Microsoft Power BI Screenshots

Screenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Turns insights into impact for business usersScreenshot of Power BI integrates easily with Microsoft 365Screenshot of Microsoft Power BI - AI-Powered CapabilitiesScreenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Copilot can be used to create reportsScreenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Data HubScreenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Scales as organizational needs grow

SAP Business ByDesign Screenshots

Screenshot of the embedded analytics of SAP Business ByDesign, which makes it possible for key users or end users to define dashboards that contain tailored reports and KPIs for their roleScreenshot of Screenshot of some of the reports available with SAP Business ByDesign, that enable customers to create additional reports or KPIsScreenshot of the document flow, present in each business document in ByDesign, which shows a graphic of the predecessor and successor business documents as well as any associated accounting documents.Screenshot of SAP Business ByDesign's included Project Management module that is integrated with CRM to sell and bill projects, with HR to staff projects, and with SCM and SRM for procurement.Screenshot of the Financial Closing business scenario, used to perform financial period-end closing activities to ensure correct financial statements, such as Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement. The Closing Cockpit helps to minimize the risk of missing important steps or incorrect timing.