The pace of evolution in the tools available to Business Analysts has never been more rapid than it is now. The marketplace is changing at such a rapid pace it is a wonder that most BAs (BAs) are beginning to realize the new and exciting tools available to assist them in their careers and jobs. My regular blog readers already be aware of what's hot and what's new, but let me lay some background on what's happening to benefit other readers before I tackle to the query about what training an analyst should take on ( jump directly to the section at the bottom for a quick answer if you don't want to be patient).
I'm going to discuss:
- What's hot on the market for Analytics right today and the reasons you should be concerned,
- What Gartner declares about his players within Gartner's assessment of the players in Analytics Market,
- What capabilities and training Analysts need to concentrate on?
- And then, finally, what you can benefit from my experience.
- What's Hot? Power BI is hot - that's What!
- Power BI is the name Microsoft has used to describe several specific products and also an general term used to describe the suite of Self Service Business Intelligence tools that are sold as a part of a bundle.
Particular Products
There are three products that you must be aware about.
Power BI Desktop
This is the cost-free Power BI authoring tool that allows you to create your own models of data using your own data and afterwards, quickly and quickly analyze the data for the most relevant information. It is possible to distribute your findings at no cost to others (just as you would the typical Excel worksheet) or directly publish through Power BI's Power BI Service (PowerBI.com) in just a few clicks, and then share it via the service (with the purchase of a professional license).
Power BI Service (PowerBI.com)
This is the cloud-based version of Power BI that makes sharing live business data a breeze. This is an example I created some time ago. It is the Power BI Service makes sharing live interactive BI data simple. It is possible to create dashboards, review the fast data generated or link Power BI Service to Excel. Power BI Service to Excel and create small Excel reports on your PC without duplicate information.
Power BI Mobile
This is the no-cost mobile application that permits you to use all of the data available in Power BI Service. Power BI Services.
There are different versions of the software that work on the majority of tablets and smart phones.
Umbrella Products
Power BI Data Modelling
HTML1 - Power BI data modeling allows users to build table of information, build connections between them so that they can work together and then further enhance the data model to ensure it incorporates specific calculations that convert the raw data you have into business insight. This type of work was previously carried out through an IT department, but it can now be performed by skilled business users by using power BI's Power BI data modeling language - DAX (Data Analysis Expressions).
DAX comes it in Excel 2010.+ SSAS 2012+ and in Power BI Desktop/Service. It's the same across all three of these programs. If you master it once it is possible to apply the same knowledge across all these products.
If you're looking for a guided understanding about Power BI modeling data, checkout my Supercharge Power BI (DAX) Online Training.
Power to query
Power Query is an information capture and conversion tool. It assists business users in grabbing the data they need from wherever it is and then clean, shape, and make the data available for analysis work to come. No IT expert needed anymore. Power Query is a user interface-driven tool that it simple for anyone to handle and load data. However, it's supported by the powerful programming language "M" that gives it a tremendous amount of power. You can find out further about Power Query here.
Power Query is now available in Excel 2010 and Power BI Desktop and Service. It (annoyingly) changed its name to "Get and Transform" in Excel 2016 and " Get Data" in the the Power BI desktop. What did they think?
If you're looking for a complete instruction on using Power Query, take a look at my Power Query Online Training.
Power BI Reports
Power BI provides a wide array of visualizations to display the information in reports. Additionally, Power BI supports custom visualizations and a variety of integrations, such as esri, R, Python and more. Power BI has several formatting options to help the user to understand the data efficiently.
Power BI reports can be made in Power BI Desktop and then be shared via various methods. Additionally, it is possible to build dashboards using Power BI.com using the report elements in a simple way.
If you're looking to understand how you can use Power BI to build dashboards and reports and share them take Power BI Training.
Then why should you be concerned?
Well , the answer to this question is straightforward. You'll either be a success with these tools or someone else will. The tools are from Microsoft and, as you'll see below, Gartner has already recognised the position that Microsoft is currently in. Get on board immediately - don't put off.
Gartner Perspectives on the Market
Gartner has just updated its 2019 version of their Magic Quadrant of Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms. The report provides a comprehensive overview of Business Intelligence vendors and products in addition, the ability to download it here in case you're interested in the details of this. However, let me highlight the most important points I have made while studying the report.
Advanced analytics, as well as BI platform are today standard purchases. The key difference are enhanced analytics and the ability to support Mode 1 reporting within the same platform. It is expected that this Magic Quadrant will help data and analytics professionals to complement their current solutions or shift to a brand new vendor.
Microsoft provides data preparation, data discovery using visuals interactive dashboards, interactive displays and augmented analytics with one single application named Power BI. It's accessible as an SaaS option, which is hosted on the Azure cloud, or as an on-premises solution in Power BI Report Server. Power BI Desktop can be employed as a stand-alone personal analysis tool that is free. It's also essential for power users who are writing complex data mashups that rely on existing data sources.
While Power BI began out as being mostly an analytics tool that could be used by anyone, and also as a BI instrument, its most popular customers are now using it mostly for centralised analysis (61%) and agile centralized BI setting up (54%).
Microsoft is a leader. It has a complete and innovative product roadmap that aims at democratising and globalising Power BI for every analytics-related use case. However it is continuing to show the high level of adoption and uptake of Power BI, with high levels of satisfaction from customers.
Gartner has succinctly outlined the advantages of Microsoft Power BI ..
Infrastructural at a low cost with a positive sales experience
Easy to use to perform complex analysis
Comprehensive product vision
Hallelujah Thank goodness someone has stated it well. Gartner isn't saying that companies should eliminate their current investment in Enterprise BI However, they should not remain indifferent to this Self Service revolution that is now underway.
Microsoft the undisputed Leader within this space
Power BI is going through an enormous expansion. Take note of the way Microsoft has gone above the rest of the pack in the category of "completeness of vision". This should any person with an Tableau investment shake their shoes.
Training specifically for Business Analysts
It is certain that the capabilities of the Business Analyst of the future will increase to include the abilities of self-service analytics. Microsoft isn't the only firm that sells self-service analytics software. However, there are many advantages to using Microsoft tools that include
It's Microsoft it is, and Microsoft regards this as an integral element in its long-term plans.
Microsoft has deep pockets.
The Power BI Umbrella Products are built on a vast history. Microsoft has been among the most successful companies in the BI market that is leading the way in the field of SQL Server Analysis Services Multi Dimensional. Additionally, Microsoft is home to its SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) team, which has an extensive and successful history of successfully ETL software development. Although it is true that the Power BI Umbrella Products are developed from scratch, they are constructed using Microsoft's own expertise.
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