PowerBI dataflow for Self-Service BI

A typical challenge in a BI project is to integrate data from different sources. For example files stored locally, ERP databases, cloud services, etc. On the other hand, PowerBI (desktop) is designed for power users to develop reports quickly. However, power users may have business knowledge but in most cases lack the technical knowledge to integrate all the data they need. With PowerBI dataflow it is possible to break the workload into a technical IT-related part and a business analysis part.

PowerBI dataflow hides the complexity of integrating differnt data sources, but provides an ready-to-use data source for PowerBI desktop. I’ve recorded a video how to integrate Excel expenses from a local folder with Dynamics 365 Sales customers and promote result as certified data source. The power user accesses this promoted data source in the report.