Gartner Research

New Microsoft Power BI Is an Enhanced Offering at a Compelling License Price

Published: 28 August 2015

ID: G00290067

Analyst(s): Cindi Howson , Rita Sallam , Josh Parenteau

Summary

Microsoft's new release of Power BI features enhanced self-service data preparation, data discovery and dashboards with access to on-premises and cloud data at a compelling price point. Here we review the new capabilities and provide BI leaders with recommendations on how to respond to the release.

Table Of Contents
  • Impacts

Analysis

Impacts and Recommendations

  • Power BI's enhanced self-service data preparation, data discovery, business-user-oriented dashboards with a streamlined workflow in a single, low-cost package give BI leaders an alternative from a single vendor as it matures through frequent releases
  • Power BI is no longer dependent on Excel for authoring and does not require SharePoint for content distribution when deployed via the Azure cloud, and BI leaders can now consider Power BI ready for broader deployment without separate licenses for Office, Office 365 or SharePoint, or a change in corporate policy for Office
  • Microsoft's new partner-friendly, open approach to Power BI expands the Microsoft ecosystem for mobile, prepackaged connectors and dashboard content, giving users improved functionality and BI leaders greater options for prebuilt solutions
  • Microsoft Power BI's hybrid approach and integration with on-premises data will initially appeal to BI leaders that have invested in on-premises Microsoft sources such as SSAS and other data sources as the product evolves

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