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Mediha Šiljić - PeerSpot reviewer
Lead Data Engineer at a pharma/biotech company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 5
Oct 27, 2021
A powerful and easy-to-use platform with a lot of connectors
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature would be the abundance of connectors. It is also easy to use."
  • "It is easy enough. I don't see any real substantial improvements that are needed. It is great as it is, but its interface could be a bit modern."

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature would be the abundance of connectors. It is also easy to use.

It is a very powerful platform for BI. It has everything that you want from BI. 

What needs improvement?

It is easy enough. I don't see any real substantial improvements that are needed. It is great as it is, but its interface could be a bit modern.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for six years. I am using the online version. So, it is the latest one.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It has improved over the years. There were problems a few years ago, but now, it is way better.

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How are customer service and support?

Their support is fine. I had to reach technical support a few times, and they have been very good in the last two years.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Compared to others, I think it is reasonable.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I tested a few other similar products before deciding on Power BI.

What other advice do I have?

I would advise others to just try it. I would rate it a 10 out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Sales Director at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Oct 26, 2021
Dashboards are helpful, but it needs better metadata management for enterprise clients
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft BI's dashboards are helpful."
  • "Power BI could have better metadata management. It's easy to use for a single person. However, it lacks an enterprise-grade metadata management system, which can be a problem if you're doing an enterprise deployment with multiple users."

What is our primary use case?

It depends on what the client needs. I've got multiple use cases for Power BI. There's no single one that stands out. But generally speaking, my clients primarily use Power BI for financial and sales reporting.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft BI's dashboards are helpful.

What needs improvement?

Power BI could have better metadata management. It's easy to use for a single person. However, it lacks an enterprise-grade metadata management system, which can be a problem if you're doing an enterprise deployment with multiple users. Microsoft could add some more features to its normal reporting capabilities.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Microsoft BI for about 18 months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft BI is stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There are limitations and license restrictions. So if you're an enterprise that needs to increase the volume of data and users, you normally have to go to higher license models.

How was the initial setup?

Microsoft BI is mostly easy to set up. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

At the entry level, it's affordable, but as you scale up and have more needs, it becomes expensive because you get tied into the whole Microsoft stack.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I also work with MicroStrategy. Out of the two, I would recommend MicroStrategy. They have what they call the Semantic Graph and Enterprise-Grade Semantic Graph. I think the technology is fantastic. However, doing business with MicroStrategy is fairly difficult and complex because of all processes involved, but the technology is probably the best in the market.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft BI seven out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. partner
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Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Power BI
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Power BI. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,757 professionals have used our research since 2012.
MIS Specialist at a agriculture with 201-500 employees
Real User
Oct 24, 2021
It's easy to conduct analysis but needs more work to make it stable
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft BI is better than most solutions we have. It's pretty easy to conduct analysis with it."
  • "Microsoft needs to do some more research and development to make it more stable."

What is our primary use case?

In our sector, we're dealing with lots of FinDocs and routine FinDoc activities. So all these things are managed locally, with data coming from some secondary source. By that, I mean our in-house technicians provide a data service that is locally developed on our end, and we analyze data in Microsoft Power BI. We have about 10 to 12 users working with it.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft BI is better than most solutions we have. It's pretty easy to conduct analysis with it.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft needs to do some more research and development to make it more stable.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using Microsoft BI for about six months.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I think Microsoft BI is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

We have some technical partners from Microsoft, so we contact them for any issues.

How was the initial setup?

Installing Microsoft BI is fast and easy. We just downloaded it from Microsoft. That's it. It only takes about half an hour. It takes a little longer for the overall deployment, depending on the data volume. If we're getting the data from a secondary source, it depends upon both the source and volume. The greater the volume, the greater the time. Usually, we can manage to get it done in one or two hours plus the testing. It takes around four people to deploy and manage the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We haven't thought much about licensing because we're still dealing with some administrative hang-ups. Once all these things are resolved, then we go for the license. It is in process.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft BI six out of 10. I would recommend it.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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PeerSpot user
Data analyst at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Oct 22, 2021
Stable, easy setup and reasonable performance unless pulling multiple sources which can cause issues
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is stable with reasonable performance."
  • "If you have to pull multiple data sources performance is somewhat lacking."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case of this product was for financial reporting and dashboard reporting. I'm a business development executive and our company is based in Belgium. 

What is most valuable?

The solution is stable with reasonable performance. The initial setup is relatively easy. 

What needs improvement?

The quality of the performance is dependent on the data source. If you have to pull multiple data sources performance is somewhat lacking. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for over a year. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is stable. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward and we had around 25 users in the company. 

What other advice do I have?

We are fading out the use of this solution and we're switching to Tableau. 

I would recommend this solution if you have good knowledge of DAX. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Technology Solutions Professional at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Oct 18, 2021
Has good implementation features
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to set up and implement."
  • "I would like to see a change in the premium capacity."

What is most valuable?

Defining the most valuable features would take a long time. While I cannot point to a specific feature, I feel the solution provides a full range of implementation capabilities. This allows for integration and modeling, for carrying out good transformations within the same platform, as well as visualization. There are not many products included inside and one can start from scratch. 

In respect of the customer, one can quickly implement phases. A person can start out with creating his data set on a miniscule amount of the client's work and, working solely with a sales team, make it agile, only involving three or four dashboards. At this point, completion is possible and progress may be made to the next one very quickly. We like the solution's ease of use, functionality range and ability to be quickly implemented. 

What needs improvement?

I would like to see a change in the premium capacity. It is very costly, particularly for the Egyptian market, amounting to $5,000 per month. Perhaps in the Gulf this would work well. The data flow should be enhanced from OnPrem-Gateways, which we find to be somewhat complicated and which does not always work. Regional pricing is the main issue. 

The stability is okay, although there can sometimes be an issue with the connection when it comes to data OnPrem and the need to manage gateway communication and do troubleshooting. In brief, there are certain issues with OnPrem stability. 

'Although we feel the solution to be a dream, it would be great to see everything on Power BI services, obviating the need for Power BI desktop. I hope to see such Power BI implementation. 

I feel like we don't have a very powerful ELT or ETL tool when it comes to power and data cleansing. The solution compares unfavorably with such products as Informatica in this regard.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft BI for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is okay, although there are occasional connectivity problems when it comes to managed gateway communication of data OnPrem and troubleshooting. The OnPrem stability should be addressed. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

While the stability is okay, there is an occasional need to add extra products, such as those involving Azure data analysis and Azure Analytics Services. 

Big data would require the involvement of different products, Microsoft sign ups, for example. While we did not go for this, our technical teams are trying to get up to speed to have big data rediness. 

I feel like the solution has a comparatively inferior ELT or ETL tool when it comes to power and data cleansing and compares unfavorably with Informatica. There is occasionally a need to involve other solutions, such as Informatica and Alteryx. 

How are customer service and support?

While we have not made much use of Microsoft support, I did previously work with Microsoft's premier support and found it to be very good, overall. 

How was the initial setup?

The solution is easy to set up and implement. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The premium capacity is very costly in respect of the market in Egypt, amounting to $5,000 monthly. The regional pricing should be addressed. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

The solution has an edge over others in its quick implementation. It is also very helpful to consider Microsoft data platform on Azure. Doing a combination with Microsoft data plaform will give one a great edge over, say, Tableau. 

The combining of Power BI with Microsoft data platform on Azure provides one increased familiarity. We are talking about a great ecosystem. 

The solution is comparatively inferior to those offered by other companies in respect of the ETL and ELT as these relate to power and data cleansing. It is not the best. 

What other advice do I have?

My advice to someone looking to implement Power BI for his own organization would be to take things step by step. He should initially refrain from taking on big projects, instead focusing on agility, starting with the most requisite dashboards, working on them and garnering experience. The person will improve from one time to the next. One should familiarize himself with the details and how to move data and big data. He should not remain stuck waiting for the implementation of a big project. 

I rate Microsoft BI as an eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Sasa-Vujovic - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Expert in Project Finance in Government of Serbia at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Top 5
Oct 17, 2021
Easy to prepare, distribute, and automate reports or connect to databases
Pros and Cons
  • "Many of my customers already use Microsoft products like Office 365, so I often propose Microsoft Power BI because it integrates well with all the standard Microsoft business tools. And it's the quickest tool to implement and start using daily."
  • "Microsoft BI's visualization could be better. Though Power BI's visualization has steadily improved over the years, it's not on the level tools like Tableau and SAS or some of the more expensive products on the market."

What is our primary use case?

As a consultant, I propose something appropriate for my client companies. Mostly, it's some type of ERP, warehouse management, or BI software. It depends on the size of the companies and their requirements.

Small and medium-sized businesses usually need some operations software to cover all the daily necessities. In most cases, I propose some local or regional software for ERP and warehouse management solutions. But for business intelligence and reporting, I typically go with a Microsoft solution.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft BI's visualization could be better. Though Power BI's visualization has steadily improved over the years, it's not on the level tools like Tableau and SAS or some of the more expensive products on the market.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Power BI is as stable as every other Microsoft product. It depends on the environment and other factors — it's not just Power BI. But it's quite stable, I think. And it's also on a very high level.

How are customer service and support?

Microsoft has a lot of partners that offer support and help you with implementation. So if you have some issues that can't be resolved by one level of support, you can find someone else in the same environment. I would say that from the partner level, Microsoft support is excellent. But, of course, it depends on how much you want to pay for it.

How was the initial setup?

The complexity of the Power BI setup depends on how much integration you need, the number of different databases you have to connect, and whether you're automating the system. However, setup is relatively easy for a standard environment. For reporting alone, it was easy to set up. So it really depends on the complexity of the environment, not on the tool.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Power BI's price is reasonable, especially if you can put it in some bigger package and use it with other products. The value of a solution doesn't just come from its features as a standalone product. The price should also reflect how easy it's to set up, clean data, and integrate with other solutions. So in that regard, I would say Microsoft Power BI's price is appropriate.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I recommend Tableau to customers for some things and Power BI for others. But, overall, you can use Power BI in more ways, it's cheaper, and it has a better pricing model.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft Power BI nine out of 10. It's widely used and incredibly practical. And it's a little easier to prepare, distribute, and automate reports or connect to databases. Power BI is also useful for warehouse management and data systems in data lakes. It's like a Swiss knife for reporting. So I generally recommend Microsoft Power BI for clients who don't have specific requirements for visualization. Tableau is better in that area. But at the same time, Power BI is also upgrading those features. 

Many of my customers already use Microsoft products like Office 365, so I often propose Microsoft Power BI because it integrates well with all the standard Microsoft business tools. And it's the quickest tool to implement and start using daily. You don't need much training. People can pick up this tool quickly and start using it right away. So I think that's the biggest advantage of Power BI. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer864999 - PeerSpot reviewer
Project Leader at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Oct 2, 2021
Flexible and scalable with a great online community
Pros and Cons
  • "We have found the solution to be stable."
  • "There are some other visuals that are available in the Microsoft marketplace, however, you need to use them via trial and error. There needs to be a write-up about how to use them with a quick guide describing the visual."

What is our primary use case?

I have used the solution primarily for building models for different verticals. It doesn't matter which industry you are in. I do some modeling and presentations for clients in different verticals.

What is most valuable?

The solution is flexible and works across industries.

I do love the way a user can flexibly design items. You can add and use Docs, for example.

The initial setup is pretty simple. 

We have found the solution to be stable.

Our team finds the solution to be scalable. 

The solution has a robust online and blog community that's great for troubleshooting.

It has Power Automate available, however, I have yet to try it out. It's something I'll look at next.

What needs improvement?

Using Docs with Microsoft BI can be difficult and hard to figure out. It has a steeper learning curve at first.

There are some other visuals that are available in the Microsoft marketplace, however, you need to use them via trial and error. There needs to be a write-up about how to use them with a quick guide about the basics of visuals. That way, you would get more of a sense of if it would work for your purposes. Right now, you need to add it to Microsoft BI and then just hope it works, or go back to the drawing board. 

I had one query that came in that didn't have a direct connection it was for Oracle 9 connecting to Power BI directly. They don't integrate directly. You need to do something different or look for something else that might connect them.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been working with the solution for five years now. It's been a while at this point.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is reliable and stable. There is not much downtime or anything. In terms of data, there will be more data related to or within your connection and with your set of data or gateway. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. It's not an issue.

We have about ten people using the solution currently.

How are customer service and support?

I've used the help that's available online and within the blog community, however, in terms of going to Microsoft for support, I haven't used them so far. Therefore, I cannot speak to how helpful or responsive they are during direct interactions.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We are currently using IBM, Microsoft BI, and Qlik.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is pretty simple and pretty straightforward. It's not overly complex or difficult.

There's a bit of maintenance required as there is data coming in every month. There are just a few server updates and write-ups to keep up on.

What about the implementation team?

We handled everything in-house. We did not need to get a consultant or integrator to assist us. It's pretty easy to do within your existing team.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We have an official enterprise license. We are not on any trial license, however, I did try out the trial which lasts for 30 days. It's nice that you can really dig into the features before you buy it. 

What other advice do I have?

We're an IT consulting company. We're Gold Partners with Microsoft.

I'm using the latest version of the solution. I cannot speak to the exact version number we are currently working on.

I'm using both a desktop and a cloud version of the solution.

I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten. I do work with also other software. What I recommend to clients will depend on the user as well as the scope or scoping he wants to do, how big or how small the company is, the number of users, et cetera. Making recommendations for software all depends on this analysis first.

I won't tell go directly to Power BI, however, I will study whatever the customer would require first. Based on his requirement, we'll do the recommendation of software. That said, mostly so far what happens is that people really like Power BI due to the fact that it's easy for them to navigate around and work with it.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1679622 - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of Internal Control at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Oct 1, 2021
Intuitive design, good support, and reliable
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is very intuitive, you do not need to have too much programming knowledge to use it. Advanced Excel users can use it very easily."
  • "The solution could improve by providing more free visuals. A lot of them are very nice but you have to purchase them."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Microsoft BI for various reports, such as overall cost management, credit overview, and sales.

What is most valuable?

The solution is very intuitive, you do not need to have too much programming knowledge to use it. Advanced Excel users can use it very easily. 

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by providing more free visuals. A lot of them are very nice but you have to purchase them. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft BI for approximately four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution has been stable. Everything has been running smoothly.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft BI is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

The support has been good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used Cognos.

What about the implementation team?

We used a consultant for the implementation of the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is affordable.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft BI a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Power BI Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: January 2026
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Power BI Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.