Data is the lifeblood of any business. However, raw data can be overwhelming and difficult to understand. Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence (BI) tool that can help transform your data into actionable insights. With Power BI, you can create compelling reports and dashboards that make it easy to see trends, identify patterns, and get a clearer picture of your business.
What Is Power BI?
Power BI is a data visualization and BI tool developed by Microsoft that can transform raw data into compelling visual narratives and reveal strategic information. It can be accessed through various applications, including:
- Power BI Service: The software as a service (SaaS) part of Power BI allows you to consume and interact with reports and visual elements directly from a browser.
- Power BI Desktop: An application you install on your computer to create and edit reports.
- Power BI Mobile: Apps for viewing your reports and dashboards on your smartphone or tablet.
Benefits of Power BI
Power BI offers several benefits for businesses and professionals. According to Microsoft, here are some key highlights:
- Gain Insights From Your Data: Power BI uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help you analyze your data and uncover hidden insights that can enable you to make better decisions about your business.
- Create Clear & Concise Reports: Power BI offers a wide variety of data visualization tools that can help you create comprehensible reports and dashboards. In this format, data can be easier to decipher and share with others.
- Improve Collaboration: Power BI service allows you to share your reports and dashboards with others in your organization. This can foster collaboration and transparency.
- Increase Accessibility: With Power BI mobile, you can access your reports and dashboards from anywhere, on any device with the app. This can help you stay up to date on business performance, especially when traveling.
Who Can Use Power BI?
Power BI is a versatile tool that can empower individuals seeking practical knowledge and value from their data. It’s useful for numerous roles, and with the support of experienced technology consultants, virtually any employee can benefit from the platform. This includes:
- Business Analysts
- Sales Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Financial Analysts
- Executives
Getting Started With Power BI
Getting started with Power BI is simple. Our technology consultants at Forvis Mazars can assist with implementation and ongoing support services for you and your business. In addition, there are a variety of resources available online, including tutorials, documentation, and sample reports. Microsoft also offers a trial of the Power BI service.
Best Practices
In today’s data-driven world, it’s imperative to be able to extract meaningful information from your data. With Power BI, you can bring your data to life and gain a competitive edge. Here are best practices to help you get started.
- Start Small: Don’t try to do too much at once. Begin by creating a simple report or dashboard.
- Focus on What Matters: Identify data that’s critical to your business and focus on creating reports and dashboards that highlight this data.
- Get Feedback: Share your reports and dashboards with others in your organization and get their feedback. This will help you build reports that are meaningful to your organization.
How Forvis Mazars Can Help
Our experienced technology consultants at Forvis Mazars can assist you on your journey with Power BI, including helping with implementation and creating useful and complex Power BI connections, reports, and dashboards. Connect with us today to learn more.