Beautiful Reports and Useful Data, but configuration is not easy!
September 26, 2019
Beautiful Reports and Useful Data, but configuration is not easy!
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is used primarily by the Project Management department at the company to keep track of all the project metrics within the whole company, covering everything from capital expenditure projects, to customer orders, and product development projects.The different departments that aren't authoring the data and reports have access to the reports to use within their planning and departmental reports. The problem that Microsoft Power BI addresses is that everyone has clear and easy access to well displayed dashboards that display key metrics on a per project basis.
- Engaging dashboard displays with drag and drop modules to convey data in a meaningful ways.
- Familiar Microsoft "Ribbon" type interface that creates an integral feel with the rest of the Microsoft suite of products.
- Built-in mobile optimization window and associated Mobile applications that allow viewing from any location connected to the server.
- Initial creation of reports, even from processed data sets is not simple.
- The on-premises reporting (crucial for a defense industry company) is extremely expensive, as it is only included in the Power BI Premium package.
- User training is usually required to ensure that full functionality of the dashboards and their built in features are utilized.
I have not used any other Business Intelligence solutions or dashboards, so Microsoft Power BI is the only reference that I have. Microsoft Power BI shows a lot of potential within the field that it is, but it is definitely not well suited for the average user who stumbles upon the product for their first time experience with BI software. Power BI was selected because of the recommendation of a consultant.