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New Digital Applications Specialist at Alpina Sa
Real User
Top 5
Intuitive design, scales well, and simple setup
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Microsoft BI are its intuitiveness and ease to use."
  • "Microsoft BI lacks some of the scheme features. It would be beneficial if there were a way to show how we move values in a different way."

What is our primary use case?

We utilize Microsoft BI for conducting comprehensive analytics by comparing data from the current year with the preceding year to identify patterns and variations. This software aids us in performing overall data analysis.

The solution can be deployed on the cloud and on-premise.

How has it helped my organization?

Microsoft BI has proven beneficial for my organization as it simplifies the presentation of complex data that was previously challenging to comprehend through other means. Specifically, Power BI allows for graphical representation that significantly enhances data understanding compared to raw tables.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Microsoft BI are its intuitiveness and ease to use.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft BI lacks some of the scheme features. It would be beneficial if there were a way to show how we move values in a different way.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Power BI
February 2025
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For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft BI for approximately three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the stability of Microsoft BI an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have plans to use the solution more in the future.

I rate the scalability of Microsoft BI an eight out of ten.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Microsoft BI is simple.

What was our ROI?

We have received a return on investment using Microsoft BI.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of the license can be better. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft BI an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer936228 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager- Projects at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Dashboards are easy to use
Pros and Cons
  • "The dashboards of Microsoft BI are easy to use."
  • "Microsoft BI has its own challenges in terms of user interface and how quickly somebody can learn how to use it."

What is our primary use case?

My company uses Microsoft BI's dashboards. We build them for the business and the operations team. We have four to five customers using this solution.

What is most valuable?

The dashboards of Microsoft BI are easy to use.

What needs improvement?

I would like to see the usability improved with Microsoft BI. Microsoft BI has its own challenges in terms of user interface and how quickly somebody can learn how to use it.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft BI for four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Power BI is stable compared to any other business subjects or any other tools.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Any Microsoft project is scalable. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support has been good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have used QlikView. Microsoft BI's dashboards are easier to use and not as complex.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Microsoft BI is straightforward and easy to install. We install ourselves.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend Microsoft BI. The dashboards are not that complex and are easy to use. 

I would rate this solution an 8 out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Power BI
February 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Power BI. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
837,501 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1755777 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Analyst at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Accurate, with good frequency, and has a wide range of features
Pros and Cons
  • "ou can pull reports, visualize them in real-time, and connect them to a variety of other data sources."
  • "Integrating it with the physics build model or the engineering model should be included."

What is our primary use case?

I mostly work in the oil and gas industry. Microsoft BI is primarily associated with surveillance, optimization, product, and forecasting-related items. While I am not currently using Microsoft BI, I have prior experience, and in my current position, I am guiding the team on a larger scale. I don't use it myself frequently, but I am the lead for that team, and when I do use it, I use it for reporting purposes.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft BI has a multitude of additional features. Overall it's an EDA tool, from which you can extract, transform, and load data. You can pull reports, visualize them in real-time, and connect them to a variety of other data sources.

When I compare other analytical tools to Microsoft BI, I believe Microsoft BI is far more accurate, and the frequency is also better.

It has additional features, which are very much useful. The most important thing I like is that it is just a data platform connecting to the overall process and it can be utilized in any sector.

What needs improvement?

Integrating it with the physics build model or the engineering model should be included. When we use engineering models linked to Microsoft BI or Salesforce, the engineering models are from a third-party application.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Microsoft BI for the last three and a half years.

We are using the latest update.

I have used it both on-premises and on the cloud.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In terms of stability, I have seen some cases where it is difficult as well as some cases where it is very easy. Overall, it is a stable and reliable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is easy to scale Microsoft BI.

We have a larger team. Microsoft BI specifically, is not limited to any subset or any team. I believe we have 1,000 plus users in my company currently who are using this application.

How are customer service and support?

I have been in touch with the technical team, but not specifically for Microsoft BI. Based on my experience with Microsft technical support, I would rate them a four out of five.

Technical support is pretty decent.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I use a variety of tools, including Salesforce, and I have developed a number of Python-based tools.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was simple. However, when I did it the first time, it was complex. Once I understood the process it was simple.

My field was small due to the type of setup required. I scheduled it for one week, during which we also tested.

Definitely, it requires maintenance in terms of quality checking of the data, as well as whether or not the run times or schedules are working properly.

What about the implementation team?

I had some assistance when I deployed the first time, but I am now able to complete the deployment on my own.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

In terms of licensing, I've never worked on the contractual side of their license. However, I believe that the number of licenses currently in use is appropriate for our organization. It also adds value to the team. I have never worked on licensing, but I have heard that it is reasonable.

What other advice do I have?

I have not used it on the mobile app. I'm not sure how Microsoft BI works on a mobile app. 

Mobile apps are sometimes third-party apps that are difficult to configure and use. As a result, mobile apps are something that will be required in the future, upcoming data transformation.

Before implementing Microsoft BI or any other analytical tool, we must first understand the domain. Basically, how the data is linked, what data you want to transform, and what output you need for the finished product. Then you proceed with your deployment in a sequential manner. It will be very simple.

I would rate Microsoft BI an eight out of ten. I haven't explored many other items that are feasible or possible, or the analytical part of Microsoft BI's functionality, which I haven't personally used, so there's a gap. Otherwise, I would have given it a ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Senior Product Manager Data Science at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Powerful, low-maintenance, and useful for bringing visualization to data
Pros and Cons
  • "It is useful for bringing visualization to data. It calculates counts, ratios, etc."
  • "There could be an integrated AI that can automatically analyze some of your data and highlight or provide suggestions. For example, when you are looking at a data set, it can suggest putting it into a certain type of chart so that you gain different insights or a trend line. You would almost have templates that it would recommend for you."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for data visualization.

What is most valuable?

It is useful for bringing visualization to data. It calculates counts, ratios, etc.

What needs improvement?

There could be an integrated AI that can automatically analyze some of your data and highlight or provide suggestions. For example, when you are looking at a data set, it can suggest putting it into a certain type of chart so that you gain different insights or a trend line. You would almost have templates that it would recommend for you.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is absolutely stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is absolutely scalable. You can scale it a lot.

How was the initial setup?

It has been straightforward and easy. 

In terms of maintenance, for the most part, it is fairly low-maintenance. Once you have it set, it is fire-and-forget. The users want to see the view and the information, and there is nothing more to do other than just let it be.

What other advice do I have?

I would give it an eight out of 10. It is a pretty powerful tool.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Syed Fahad Anwar - PeerSpot reviewer
Principal System Developer at HHRC
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Is easy to install, stable, and scalable, and helps to quickly create dashboards
Pros and Cons
  • "What I like about Power BI is how fast you are able to create dashboards and how fast you are able to fetch the data. You can connect to the database or data source, and then you can design your dashboards very easily."
  • "There are some limitations in Power BI; you have to work in the Power BI base. However, if you want something not out-of-the-box and you want something custom, you have to do a lot of work."

What is our primary use case?

The use case for power BI is to generate dashboards for high-end management and operational dashboards.

How has it helped my organization?

Microsoft BI, if used properly, can provide insights that will help management to take better decisions and can benefit from cost optimizations, reduce risks, etc.

What is most valuable?

What I like about Power BI is how fast you are able to create dashboards and how fast you are able to fetch the data. You can connect to the database or data source, and then you can design your dashboards very easily.

The best thing about Power BI is that you can manipulate the data within Power BI, so you don't have to update the data source to have filtration or conditional formatting. You can easily do those things under Power BI.

It is easy and has rapid development.

It is stable and scalable as well.

What needs improvement?

There is an issue with Microsoft because the on-premises Power BI is behind the cloud Power BI. So, the on-premises Power BI is six months or one year behind the cloud version because Microsoft published the cloud features first, and then they published the on-premises version. This has been an issue. They should be on the same level of capability.

There are some limitations in Power BI; you have to work in the Power BI base. However, if you want something not out-of-the-box and you want something custom, you have to do a lot of work. Microsoft can provide some easy way to customize the dashboards.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for two to three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable, but there is an issue with Microsoft because the on-premises Power BI is behind the cloud Power BI. The features of on-premises Power BI are six months or one year behind the cloud version. They are not on the same level of capability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of Power BI is quite good.

How are customer service and support?

Microsoft technical support could be more knowledgeable.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We switched to Power BI because it is easy, and there is rapid development.

How was the initial setup?

Installation is easy and took about half an hour.

What about the implementation team?

It requires a little bit of effort, and we needed the help of a consultant.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Power BI comes with enterprise Microsoft licensing. So for the user, you don't have to pay, but you do have to pay a one-time cost.

What other advice do I have?

If you want to use Power BI, you should go for the cloud version. Don't use the on-premises version because the cloud version has a lot of features which the on-premises version doesn't have.

Also, if you are going to use Power BI, you should know what all your capabilities are. Otherwise, if you try to do some things such as develop a dashboard which is not supported by Power BI, it will be a showstopper for you.

I would rate this solution at eight on a scale from one to ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Product and Systems Director at SPCM
Real User
It's good for tracking indicators like KPI, sales, and a bunch of other essential metrics for our company's strategic planning.
Pros and Cons
  • "Power BI has strong support from Microsoft. If you need help, they answer promptly. There are also several discussion groups where you can get information, like the product roadmap and any new things coming up."
  • "Microsoft has made a lot of progress with Power BI in the past couple of years, but there is still some room for improvement. For example, Integration is one area they could work on. They are adding more integration with other Microsoft tools, but I would like it if they sped up the process."

What is our primary use case?

Power BI is used internally to track indicators like KPI, sales, and a bunch of other essential metrics for our company's strategic planning. Power BI creates reports and compiles data coming from various sources, and we create dashboards for managers and executives to monitor these indicators.

There is also an external use case. We also have a team that provides BI as a service. Let's say your company collects all your data manually in Excel sheets and creates reports. We get rid of the Excel files and automate everything using Power BI to create dashboards and reports.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft has made a lot of progress with Power BI in the past couple of years, but there is still some room for improvement. For example, Integration is one area they could work on. They are adding more integration with other Microsoft tools, but I would like it if they sped up the process.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been a Microsoft partner for 12 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Bi is stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft BI is scalable. 

How are customer service and support?

Power BI has strong support from Microsoft. If you need help, they answer promptly. There are also several discussion groups where you can get information, like the product roadmap and any new things coming up. 

How was the initial setup?

Everything is in the cloud, so you don't do anything. You only need to download a client, and that's it. If you have to create an embedded solution, it only takes five minutes.

The entire deployment takes a couple of hours, but you don't need a specialist to deploy it. Obviously, you need someone who understands the technology and how to follow instructions, but it's pretty straightforward stuff.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Power BI's price is good relative to its competitors. It has more than 400 or 500 different connectors. A lower price would always be welcome. The price is fine, but the licensing is complicated. Quantum mechanics is easier to understand than Microsoft licensing.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft BI nine out of 10. If you are thinking about using Microsoft BI, go for it. Microsoft BI is worth it. It's one of the products Microsoft got right from the beginning. It's perfect.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1247253 - PeerSpot reviewer
DGM IT at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
Easy to use solution
Pros and Cons
  • "The data can be accessed from anywhere."
  • "I would like to see a more user-friendly interface with Microsoft BI."

What is our primary use case?

Our company is a manufacturing firm. We have an ERP running in our company. I develop the reports for the business that include sales, stock and production related information. These dashboards are used for analytics purposes by management, enabling them to make decisions regarding the products and business improvement.

We use the BI text file and summarize the information on dashboards to help management make the right decisions for the business. The information includes production figures, running status, forecasts and actual positions. 

We have 10  users of this solution.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Microsoft BI is the ease of use. The data can be accessed from anywhere. We control access through Office 365.

What needs improvement?

I would like to see a more user-friendly interface with Microsoft BI. Microsoft does regular updates, new features are added every month or so.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft BI for one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Power BI is stable with no issue.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Overall, technical support is good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Prior to using Microsoft BI, we had been using OBIEE. Oracle is a complicated product with poor visuals. Comparing with Microsoft BI, we found Microsoft to have better handling, graphics, features, and easier development and coding. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial deployment of Microsoft BI was relatively easy. We installed it to the machine and connected it to our Oracle database.

What about the implementation team?

We were able to install the solution ourselves internally.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Microsoft BI requires licenses.

What other advice do I have?

Microsoft Power BI is an easy product. If you have some idea about the business intelligence solutions and some technical knowledge, it is a self-deployed solution.

I would rate the solution an 8 out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1236651 - PeerSpot reviewer
Accounting Services Finance Manager M&S at a hospitality company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
User-friendly, offers helpful reports, and has good dashboards
Pros and Cons
  • "It's a very easy-to-use solution."
  • "The initial installation is difficult."

What is our primary use case?

I primarily use the solution for the reports. We use it a lot for self-reporting.

What is most valuable?

We're making a dashboard that can show specific details and can be easily customized. It's very useful for creating dashboards.

The reporting is good.

The solution is stable. 

We can scale it if we need to.

It's a very easy-to-use solution. The product is quite user-friendly.

What needs improvement?

The initial installation is difficult. 

The pricing is a bit high and we'd like it to be less expensive.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for two years now.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is stable. Its performance is good. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is good. If a company wants to, it can expand.

We have about 15 to 20 people that use the solution.

We're not sure if we will expand usage in the future or not. That's still to be decided.

How are customer service and support?

We manage technical support ourselves. We do not need to reach out to Microsoft for help. Therefore, I can't speak to how helpful or responsive they would be.

How was the initial setup?

I found the initial setup to be difficult. It's not exactly straightforward. The deployment might take about an hour.

We use three people for deployment and maintenance tasks. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We have to pay for licensing. I've paid for a license in the past.

We'd like for it to be a little less expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend the solution to others based on its ease of use.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Power BI Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: February 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Power BI Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.