What is Power BI?
Power BI (PBI) is a set of Microsoft business analytics tools that help business users create and consume interactive reports and dashboards.
What are the products?
Power BI consists of 5 products: PBI Desktop, PBI Service, the PBI Mobile App, Report Builder, and On-Prem Report Server.
- Power BI Desktop is a windows application that allows you to create interactive reports from your data.
- Power BI Service is a Software as a Service (SaaS) service where you can view reports and apps shared with you, share your PBI reports with others, colligate reports into PBI Apps, and create summary dashboards.
- Power BI Mobile is an app available for Windows, iOS, and Android devices to view PBI reports on the service.
- Power BI Report Builder is an additional tool that allows users to create paginated/list reports.
- Power BI On-Prem Report Server is an alternative to the Power BI Service that allows you to store reports on-prem. OU does not have an On-Prem Report Server.
How do I Access PBI?
- PBI Desktop is available to everyone for free. It can be downloaded here. Devices that have the “App Store” disabled will need to click the “advanced download options” button. This will take you to a site where you can download the install package. *PBI has monthly updates, as such it is recommended to always go to the website to install Power BI on new devices as any locally stored install packages will be quickly out of date.
- PBI Service can be accessed directly by going to the website: https://app.powerbi.com or clicking on the waffle in any Microsoft web product. If you do not initially see the “Power BI” app option, select “More Apps”.
- Power BI Mobile can be downloaded from your app store.
Do I need a license?
Power BI at OU
PBI licensing at first glance can seem confusing. However, it is quite easy once you know how PBI is set up at OU.
All Faculty and Staff at OU have a Power BI Free license. This allows everyone to have access to the Power BI Service and view reports shared by others in the organization stored in OU’s premium capacity. It is essential like having a free “viewer” license.
Wait! What is Premium Capacity? It is a dedicated set of resources for OU’s use. Our premium capacity resides in North America. Reports and Dashboards stored in the Premium Capacity can be viewed by users at OU without purchasing any additional licenses.
So, when do I need a license?
If you are sharing reports or if you need control of a workspace, you will need a Pro License. In general, the report developer and an additional person that can be a second admin to a workspace will need licenses.
If you are collaborating with users outside of the OU organization, someone will need a license. Outside of the organization reports are shared between users with Pro licenses. For example, if you are a researcher working with others outside of OU, your outside collaborator will need Pro licenses to view your reports, or you will need a Pro license to view reports in their organizations.
But what’s the cost?
OU’s faculty and staff can purchase a the Microsoft Add-on License for Pro here for a little over $25 a year.
How do I Learn Power BI? What Support does OU provide?
Learning Power BI
Microsoft Power BI Guided Learning: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guided-learning
LinkedIn Learning: http://lynda.ou.edu
Training by OU IT Data Services Business Intelligence, Reporting, and Data Engagement Team (BIRDE): https://apps.hr.ou.edu/ClassCalendar
Support
Need help with Administrative Reporting or setting up a Data Program?