Use SQL Server SSAS Tabular Models to Enhance your Power BI reports
Companies with SQL Server licenses running in production most likely already own but are not using SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS). To get the most from your existing investment in SQL licenses. Companies should explore how SQL Server SSAS Tabular Models can increase the performance of their reporting environments and maximize their investment in SQL Server technology. Transforming your data into a tabular model will allow you to get more performance from Power BI, Excel or other reporting software.
Top 3 Reasons to Use SQL Server SSAS Tabular Models
Speed – The data in tabular models are deployed to an in-memory data structure that makes your Power BI reports return visualizations faster than using data tables. If your executive team hates waiting for answers or spinning circle of death Tabular models can help. Using data compression and in-memory objects allows the data to be found without needing to query the disks directly.
Standardize Business Logic – Business logic can be stored in the tabular model by creating new Measures. Need to calculate the net sales between this year and last year. Add a measure and everyone that uses the data sees the same results. Users that connect to the tabular model get the same answers regardless of the tool. Want to use Excel as well as Power BI, the logic is the same and users get the same results.
No Need to Refresh the Power BI Cache – Power BI directly connects to the tabular models, therefore you do not need Power BI to refresh the data loaded into Power BI. Keep you data refresh cycle at the database level and allow Power BI to do what it does best.
I am the founder and CEO of CDO Advisors a data and analytics consulting and training company. We specialize in helping companies get more value from their data with high value low risk projects.I have been publishing articles and books for over 20 years on SQL Server, data and architecture.