Benefits of Using Power BI in Your Business | Microbyte

Benefits of Using Power BI in Your Business

Technology is Not a Substitute for Good Business Processes

Big data is a term that’s become popular in business circles. The amount of information collected and stored by companies grows every day, but few businesses maximise what they can do with this data.

More troublesome still, data is stored in a variety of apps, databases, spreadsheets, and third-party platforms making it difficult to access. Getting a real-time overview of the business or accurate reporting becomes nearly impossible. Microsoft Power BI is intended to resolve these concerns.

What is Microsoft PowerBI?

Microsoft Power BI is a data visualisation tool for businesses. As part of the broader Power Platform, business intelligence is delivered through accessing different data sources (both internal and external) to create relevant, live dashboards and accurate reporting.

Gaining meaningful insights from a collection of data sources allows the organisation’s leadership to make more accurate decisions. No longer is there a need to wait for the monthly or quarterly report before responding to new issues either.

Strategic decision-making to help grow your business in a sustained fashion is made possible through a more complete picture. Power BI enables that by accessing numerous data sources, analysing information using advanced AI and natural language, providing real-time dashboards, and advanced reporting.

Benefits of PowerBI for Business

Bring Data Together for an Accurate Overview

Companies spread across different regional offices commonly have trouble with data collection and accurate analysis. Subsequently, spotting a new issue often occurs too late to prevent it from already having become a larger one.

Create Custom Dashboards by Accessing Internal, Cloud, and Third-party Data Sources

By pulling data from different sources and creating custom Power BI dashboards for the business, companies can visualise the most important aspects of their operations.

Whether the visual charts use data extracted from an Oracle database, a Google Sheets spreadsheet, an Excel file, or SAP, or even a QuickBooks system, it can all be at your fingertips.

Integrate Reporting for 3CX VoIP systems, Dynamics 365, and More

Some businesses already use the 3CX Cloud VoIP phone system. This makes use of the Microsoft Azure cloud system for call storage. Usage of 3CX including real-time call information and recordings can be accessed inside Dynamics 365, and advanced reporting performed within Power BI.

Regularly Updated and Fully Compliant

Power BI is updated monthly with further improvements to allow for more advanced reporting and the latest features.

Also, full compliance at a country and sector level ensures that the benefits of Microsoft Power BI are accessible to all.

Familiar Microsoft Family User Interface

The interface of Power BI is designed similarly to Microsoft 365. Anyone already familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint will feel right at home.

Furthermore, companies that already use Microsoft Dynamics 365 can greatly enhance their business analytical capabilities.

Choice of Power BI Desktop, Pro, and Premium Versions

Creating new reports is possible using the Power BI desktop app. This is accessible to anyone who wishes to use it. Reports can be kept solely on the PC or later published, and subsequently shared with people or groups via the Power BI Service.

Power BI Pro and Power BI Premium versions offer cloud-based advanced report sharing and further customisation options. The Premium version – mostly used by enterprises – enhances performance, data capacity, and programmatic access, such as APIs.

Using PowerBI for Business Reporting

Business reports are only as good as the data behind their visualisations. Multiple serious omissions can result in faulty conclusions being drawn from the supplied reports.

Power BI delivers a best-in-class reporting functionality. This begins with data visuals created by Microsoft and third parties using an open-source methodology to continually improve data visualization capabilities.

AI and machine learning are utilised allowing questions to be posed by the user and suggestions given for information sources to use in their report.

Before creating reports, data can be visualised and modelled using Power Query, which is familiar to advanced users of Microsoft Excel. Once ready, reports can be created using this data.

The visual canvas for reporting allows for full drag-and-drop functionality. This allows original reports to be created for the CEO, the board, senior managers, or a team. Managers or team members alike can deliver outstanding interactive reports with predictive insights that fit the need perfectly.

To do this, access to a myriad of data sources is essential. Power BI lets users collect data from Excel spreadsheets, SQL Servers, MySQL and PostgreSQL servers, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Defender, Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, Microsoft Cloud, Salesforce Reports, Github, Microsoft Exchange Server, and so much more.

Therefore, business intelligence platforms are fully utilised to access data for BI reports. Don’t worry if that all sounds complicated, Microbyte will set this all up for you.

Built with Security in Mind

Security compliance is paramount and integral to Power BI due to the sensitivity of company data.

High-level encryption protocols are utilised to safeguard data that travels through cloud storage and third-party systems. Secure connections are made when accessing third-party data storage systems too.

System managers can use both the Microsoft Cloud App Security Portal and features within Power BI to analyse data flows looking for patterns. Data compliance is also managed on a per-country basis, along with adhering to industry-relevant requirements too.

Examples of using PowerBI in Business

Business analysis firm, Gartner, has repeatedly acknowledged Power BI as an outstanding intelligence product for businesses to use. One reason is that it works so well with Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Teams products, ensuring it takes no time to get to grips with it.

For instance, new reports can be shared within specific Teams channels to make channel members aware.

Your company can resolve any complications caused by having your data stored across multiple databases, apps, and cloud platforms. Avoid the need to centralise data storage where this is undesirable at present. Instead, seamlessly integrate data from different providers, systems, and locations with greater completeness and clarity than previously achievable.

IT systems managers who are planning to centralise systems in the future can use Power BI for improved reporting and dashboard information sharing before, during, and after the transition.

Enhanced Collaboration with Microsoft Teams

In today’s dynamic business environment, utilizing tools that enhance productivity and collaboration is crucial. Power BI stands out as a transformative solution, allowing businesses to visualize and analyze data effectively, leading to informed decision-making. However, when used in conjunction with Microsoft Teams, businesses can experience a synergy that elevates operational efficiency to new heights.

Microsoft Teams facilitates seamless communication and collaboration, while Power BI provides the insights needed to drive strategic initiatives. This integration ensures that data-driven insights are easily shared and discussed among team members, fostering a collaborative environment where informed decisions are made swiftly, and organizational goals are achieved more efficiently.

Synergy with Microsoft Dynamics 365

The capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 significantly enhance the utility of Power BI by providing a robust and comprehensive platform for customer relationship management, marketing, HR, and supply chain operations. The integration of Power BI with Dynamics 365 enables businesses to leverage advanced analytical tools and gain deeper insights into their operations, allowing for more strategic and informed decision-making processes.

This synergy allows for a seamless flow of data between the two platforms, ensuring that businesses can visualize and interpret their data efficiently, leading to optimized operations and improved customer relationships. By utilizing Power BI in conjunction with Dynamics 365, businesses can navigate through the complexities of various business operations with ease and efficacy, ensuring sustained growth and enhanced productivity.

Final Thoughts

By using Power BI for just a short period, business professionals will quickly appreciate its versatility. Whether analysing data models, for improved data visualisation or to develop new business strategies that previously weren’t being pursued, companies gain meaningful and vital insights.

To incorporate the Power BI analytic insights into your business, talk with our team about deploying Power BI with custom dashboards and reporting to maximise the benefits for your company.

Similar blogs

The hidden cost of poor IT Support

The hidden cost of poor IT Support

Quality IT support is as much about top-notch security measures and cybersecurity as it is about technical assistance. As you will learn in this article, the tall grass obscures the hidden cost of poor IT support if you are not careful. Inferior IT support means you are paying for it directly and indirectly. Repeated IT…

Read More

Avatar photo

Digital Transformation for Dummies

Digital Transformation for Dummies

No matter what industry you work in, you have probably heard the phrase ‘digital transformation’ more and more frequently over recent years. While it might sound like another unnecessary buzzword to throw around the boardroom, it is a crucial process that might dictate your business’s future. We have put together this short guide to demystify…

Read More

Avatar photo

The Benefits of VoIP

The Benefits of VoIP

Business Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is now used by approximately two-thirds of organisations globally. It represents the digitisation of phone calls and other communications. Along with replacing traditional phone lines, VoIP often supports video calls, private messaging, and add-on features.  There are now over 3 billion people using VoIP technologies. Learn about the excellent…

Read More

Avatar photo

Vulnerability Testing for Cyber Essentials

Vulnerability Testing for Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials (CE) certification assists UK companies in improving their cyber security posture. Using advanced National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) approved methodologies, businesses can protect themselves from common cyber threats. Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus (CE Plus) are part of the certification process. Conducting vulnerability scans and reviewing security controls are required for Cyber…

Read More

Avatar photo

Transforming Oregon's Construction Industry with IT Support

Transforming Oregon’s Construction Industry with IT Support

In Oregon, one industry stands out as the backbone of the state’s economy: construction. Contributing $16.22 billion to the state’s GDP in 2023, up from $5.41 billion in 2021, the construction sector continues to grow and remains a vital part of the economy.  From housing estates and renovation projects to commercial spaces and urban redevelopment,…

Read More

Avatar photo

Why is IT support in Dubai so bad?

Why is IT Support in Dubai so bad?

With its impressive skyline, reputation for innovation and being at the forefront of tourism and international business, Dubai seems like the kind of place to have some of the best IT support in the world. Internationally connected and popular with businesses that are increasingly reliant on technology, the city is a tax-free, global expat dream….

Read More

Avatar photo