Microsoft Build is the pinnacle of developer conferences. A hundred thousand developers from all around the world assemble with their peers for three days of learning, discussion, and collaboration on the most recent Microsoft innovations and tools.
We want to use this event to showcase the genuinely exciting advancements we are delivering to Power BI, where over three million active developers every day are building amazing data experiences on Microsoft Power BI.
These notifications include:
- Power BI’s Datamart
- Power BI metrics and other improvements
- Data visualization in PowerPoint
- Syncing with Office Hub and Outlook
Announcing the Power BI datamarts
Business analysts and business users today rely primarily on centrally controlled data sources that were created by qualified IT professionals. However, it can be difficult for overworked IT teams to provide quick assistance if a user needs something modified, such as a new source of data or data mixed in a different way. Users must choose whether to wait or proceed independently by creating a datamart using the resources available to them, such as an Access database, a SharePoint site, or a spreadsheet. The performance of these systems is poor, they don’t scale as data quantities and user numbers increase, and they can be challenging to manage.
Today, we’re launching the Power BI Premium self-service capability known as datamart, which gives users the power to execute relational database analyses and derive useful information from their data. Business analysts can create a data mart using this out-of-the-box functionality over any data warehouse or numerous data sources that can be centrally governed and managed. Power BI datamarts shorten the time to insight while reducing the workload on the IT department.
So how does it function?
A simple, no-code interface. To extract, transform, and load data into a database that is fully controlled by Power BI, a datamart creator can leverage the no code experience. You don’t need to bother about setting up and managing dataflows or scheduling data refreshes because everything is done automatically. For ad-hoc data analysis, the user receives an easy-to-use SQL and visual querying interface. For further investigation, users can then connect to the datamart using external SQL-aware applications.
Integrated development of Power BI. Without having to download Power BI Desktop, the datamart instantly creates a self-tuning Power BI dataset that is ready to be used to create reports in the Power BI service. With no user involvement, the database and dataset are always kept responsive and in sync.
Semantic BI database with unified relational database. The user can create BI models and establish BI metrics using Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), the potent semantic modelling engine included in Power BI, from within the datamart user interface. Relationships and security guidelines that are used in BI reports and dashboards can also be defined by users. No matter how users access the data—through SQL or XMLA—security rules are kept in sync with the database to ensure they only view what they are authorized to see.
Integral leadership. Additionally, Power BI has fully integrated the datamart, which can be managed and governed in the service like any other artefact.
- Users may automate the retrieval of all datamarts and metadata, apply Microsoft Purview Information Protection sensitivity labels, and trace data lineage and impact (scanner APIs).
- Datamarts may also receive endorsements (certifications, promotions, etc.) to aid users in finding and reusing reliable organisational data.
- When development is complete, customers can easily manage their datamart deployment using the robust features of deployment pipelines from development to test to production.
Easy to use. In the Power BI Data Hub, Excel, and Teams, among other places where people operate, analysts and users may readily find these datamarts.
Power BI developers and analysts now have access to the strength of SQL databases, enabling you to gain more insights and accelerate digital transformation.
One of the biggest wireless carriers in the US, T-Mobile, used Power BI’s datamart during the private preview. T-Mobile can manage initiatives as they spread across the company thanks to the Orbit suite of apps. T-Mobile can enable easy access to the data in Orbit using datamart in Power BI, integrate many data sources into a single reporting repository, generate ad hoc reports from the combined dataset, do ad hoc data modification, and export to Excel for rudimentary data reporting. The impact of datamart is now T-Mobile can bring visibility and transparency across the entire organization for all ongoing initiatives.
“One of the really exciting things about datamart in Power BI is that it brings another level of data to users. Now they are not asking for a specific set of tables that they want to report on. They can get a more raw and granular set of data and think and be creative about how that matches the work that they are doing. This gives us the ability to iterate and evolve to see what works without having to hand it off to different development teams. It‘s going to take our reporting to another level”—Brian Hodel, Principal Analyst, T-Mobile.
Announcing that measurements in Power BI are now generally available
We first revealed the preview of goals in Power BI Premium one year ago. These goals are a data-driven, team-based, and adaptable approach to measure important business KPIs and goals that are incorporated right into Power BI. As a result of our customer-focused improvement efforts, we are renaming this feature metrics in Power BI to better reflect how our customers are utilizing and profiting from it. We are also happy to report that Power BI metrics are now generally accessible.
But that’s not the only thing. We are also introducing a number of upgrades and integrations that will increase this feature’s adaptability and enable you to track metrics more effectively at both the granular and cross-organizational levels.
Metrics-specific hierarchies
For instance, we are allowing you to make cascading scorecards. The scorecard datasets may now be mapped to the hierarchy and owner fields, and Power BI can then generate metrics automatically for each level of the hierarchy. After then, the information is automatically rolled up to give you a single, comprehensive picture of your metrics. Additionally, we developed a heatmap view that lets you compare metrics from many levels of the hierarchy in one location.
Just the proverbial “tip of the iceberg” We are introducing functionality that will let you set custom metrics and roll-ups with Microsoft Viva Goals, link metrics across scorecards, and seamlessly incorporate metrics into Power BI reports. To learn more about these features, check the full announcement blog, Power BI goals is now ‘metrics’ and is moving to general availability.
Introducing data storytelling in PowerPoint
Today, we are pleased to share a sneak peek of one of Power BI’s most awaited features: native interaction with PowerPoint. In order to enable everyone to make beautiful tales using data, we are combining the world’s top BI product with the world’s top storytelling product.
Most presentations we make and distribute contain data in one way or another as the world gets more and more data oriented. However, it’s not always easy to incorporate your observations into presentations. Users frequently fall back on copying and pasting data visualizations into their presentations or taking screenshots of Power BI reports. This can take a lot of time, quickly date, or just look bad. A static image cannot offer Power BI’s powerful interactive capabilities.
We’re providing the capability to incorporate real-time, interactive Power BI reports right into your PowerPoint presentations to help address these problems. Slicers, filters, and drill down mechanisms let you engage with the images and update the data as attendees respond to the insights you’re presenting, allowing you to make decisions without ever leaving PowerPoint.
End of this month will see the preview of this functionality. For more information, read Maya Shenhav’s blog, Tell a story with your data. Announcing the all-new Power BI integration for PowerPoint.
Other announcements
Automatic aggregations is now generally available
We introduced a new feature called automated aggregations at Microsoft Build last year. It uses a machine learning model to analyse the Power BI query patterns to the big data store and automatically design and build the Power BI aggregations that give the best performance. All Power BI Premium customers now have access to this capability, which enables you to benefit from Power BI’s performance acceleration without having to spend money on time- and money-consuming data engineering resources.
Improved Power BI administration and operations
Manage Power BI with ease thanks to improved administration features and expanded operational capabilities. Administrators can easily manage permissions, lower maintenance costs by locating idle assets, and assign administrative duties to others.
Watch the “Enhancements to administration, security, and governance in Power BI” on-demand session with Derek Jeager and Anton Fritz to learn more about these features and additional improvements to administration, security, and governance.
Please join us at Iteanz
The growth of data cultures around the world is primarily due to developers. Our goal is still to provide every developer with the resources and platforms they need to create the next wave of sophisticated products. The purpose of Microsoft Build is to bring people together to share and discover these platforms and technologies.
We are eager to work with you to continue transforming your surroundings and influencing the future when we meet you all at Microsoft Build.
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