Should You Learn MS Power BI?
The Advantages and Features
Microsoft can seem like it has a software product for just about any application. There’s even
one for nontechnical users who want to share, analyze, and visualize data.
Known as MS Power BI (business intelligence) it can be a lifesaver for businesses that want to
visualize data without becoming an IT expert. This alone can
make it worthwhile to elevate your insights with MS Power BI
training. Yes, even though the software has an interface
Excel users will recognize, a little training can help ensure
you’re getting the most out of MS Power BI.
If you’re not sure if you want or need to add another software
program to your toolbox. Here’s a look at some of the
advantages and included features.
Advantages of MS Power BI
Whether you’re a small business without an in-house IT department or you don’t want to tie
yours up with smaller tasks, Power BI is a great tool for exploring data patterns and developing
insights. Some of the advantages of using Microsoft's software include:
● Easy Accessibility: You don’t need to understand technology to use the software. This
also applies to your audience. The software allows you to tell a story with the data in
ways everyone can understand. Accessibility also extends to pricing. Power BI has a
variety of price points so regardless of a company’s budget, everyone can access the
software.
● Compatibility: You expect Power BI to be compatible with other Microsoft products.
This is standard for Microsoft and a reason for the popularity of its products. Along with
integrating Power BI with other software like Excel, this also means it can access data
from multiple sources. This is a time-saving feature that can help improve efficiency
since you’re not having to copy and paste data from one source to Power BI.
● Great Customer Support: If something goes down or you run into an issue with Power
BI, Microsoft support is always there to provide assistance. Best of all, the support is
free of charge. Think of it as having a virtual help desk at your beck and call.
● A Breeze to Customize: You can easily customize the software’s visual tools to meet
your needs. This makes it easier to locate vital patterns and relationships in the data.
● Scalable: Scalability is more than a buzzword, it’s an important consideration.
Businesses are often looking for tools that can grow with their needs and this applies to
Power BI. The software can handle as little or as much data as necessary.
● Encourages collaboration: Collaboration between teams and employees is key within
organizations. Power BI is designed to encourage collaboration. Different teams can
work on the data simultaneously even if some members are out in the field.
While these advantages are hard to beat and may be enough to encourage you to sign up for
Power BI training, it’s only fair to look at a few potential disadvantages. These may help you
decide if Power BI is right for your organization.
Potential Downsides to Power BI
There really aren’t too many potential downsides to Power BI. For example, there is a free
version of the software but you only have access to a few of the key features. For some
businesses this may not be an issue, others may need to move up to either the Pro or
Premium tiers and these come with a subscription cost.
On the flip side, the vast number of features can be considered a disadvantage by some
companies. Yes, the software has advanced features that may require some technical
knowledge or at least training in a Power BI course.
Other possible reasons to skip installing the software include a cluttered user interface. Since
there are several visual components on the dashboard, it can look a little cluttered. However,
this is usually a personal preference and doesn’t affect the software’s ability to perform
requested functions.
The amount of resources the platform uses can slow down some other applications. But this
also depends on the business’s existing infrastructure. Even though there are potential
downsides, the advantages usually outweigh any disadvantages.
A Look at Some Key Features
The list of features included with Power BI is extensive, especially if you’re paying for the
platform. However, some of the data analytic features commonly used include:
● Integration APIs: The APIs aid with integration so you embed MS Power BI onto other
software products. This way, everyone on the team has access to the Power BI
dashboard regardless of the software they’re using.
● Rapid Insights: With this feature, you can create data subsets and apply your analytics
to the information. Being able to quickly create subsets can give you more insight into
data trends.
● AI Enabled: Power BI users can use AI to create machine-learning models. Users can
ask questions and receive answers without having to scroll through tons of data. The AI
feature can automatically locate and display the data in seconds. As an added bonus,
Microsoft is also working on developing an AI chatbot that’s compatible with Power BI.
This way, AI can generate custom reports with a simple question.
● Modeling View: This feature allows you to display complex data models in an easy-to-
view format. You can create individual diagrams and make adjustments as needed
based on the data.
This is only an example of some of the features you get with Microsoft Power BI. Remember,
your subscription price point plays a role in the features you have access to.
Best Uses for Power BI
So, you already know Microsoft Power BI deals with data, as this is the platform’s sole
purpose. The software analyzes and displays data in ways that are easy for any to understand.
You can create charts and graphs that tell a story using data visualizations. Look at different
scenarios within the data. Think of it as playing a What If game with data. Another great use for
the platform is to generate reports in real-time. Data can quickly change and you don’t want to
get caught behind.
If you’re ready to master data analytics without involving your IT department, Power BI training
can help you excel.