Businesses today rely on data for nearly every decision they make. True, data is useful, but only if you have the know-how and the right tools to distil its content. One tool that can help you with this is Microsoft’s Power BI. This tool helps companies turn raw data into useful reports and charts. 

But just because you have access to Power BI doesn’t mean you know how to use it. A lot of companies realize this after they’ve spent a lot of time and money but still can’t get useful insights. This is one reason why Microsoft Power BI Services by Imenso and other expert providers are in demand. Therefore, in this article, we’ll reveal what you need to know about these important consultants and their services.

Common Services Offered

Most Power BI consulting firms offer a similar range of professional services to help you get the most out of your data. These services include everything from setting up to training and security. You can read this article to better understand the importance of business intelligence services like these. 

Here’s a closer look at what to expect:

Planning and Setup

Before they do anything else, these consultants get to understand your company and its goals. These are the things they do during planning and setup:

• Review your current tools and needs: They examine your current systems, like Excel, SQL databases, or cloud services, to find out what works and what doesn’t.
• Build a roadmap for Power BI setup: This plan includes which information to connect, which departments will use Power BI, and what kinds of reports you need.
• Choose the right license and tools: Microsoft has three Power BI plans: free, Pro, and Premium. A consultant will suggest the one that is best for your size and budget.

Before getting into the technical work, the goal is to create a clear path.

Data Modeling and Integration

Once the plan is set, these experts will begin to work with your data by doing the following:

• Connect different data sources: Power BI experts make sure that all of your data is properly connected, whether your information is stored in Excel, SQL Server, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, or cloud apps like Salesforce.
• Build models that organize your data: This means structuring your data in a way that makes it accurate, relevant, and simple to use. Good data models also speed things up and cut down errors.
• Create a system that’s easy to update: With automated refreshes, you won’t have to rebuild reports from scratch every week. Your most recent data is used to update everything.

This step makes sure that your data makes sense and flows well. You can visit https://hevoacademy.com/ to learn more about Power BI data modeling.

Dashboard Design

Dashboards are the front end of Power BI that users see and use every day. The dashboard designing process involves these actions:

• Create dashboards that are easy to read: Visuals that are clean and simple are designed by consultants to help users quickly understand important facts. No clutter, just a simple design that eliminates confusion.
• Focus on KPIs and business goals: There is a reason for every curve and chart that is included. The dashboard focuses on what’s most important, like how well sales are going or inventory levels.
• Make dashboards available across devices: They ensure you can use dashboards on your phone, tablet, or computer. This enables your team to check them while they’re out and about.

The result is a tool that gives your team quick answers, not more questions. When businesses want more than just basic dashboards, they often start hiring Power BI developers through the relevant services. These developers create custom graphics, handle complex data, and write advanced DAX formulas. They build tools that help you reach your goals while working closely with your team.

Governance and Security

No matter how big or small a business is, data protection and control are very important. Your consultants will do these for you:

• Set up access controls and user roles: Not everyone needs to see everything about the company. Consultants help you decide who can view reports, edit, or share them.
• Use encryption and secure login: Consultants set up secure ways to log in using Microsoft accounts or Azure Active Directory. This keeps your information locked down.
• Follow rules like HIPAA and GDPR: Businesses in healthcare, finance, and other fields have strict rules. A consultant helps make sure your Power BI setup stays compliant.

Training and Support

Getting a tool is one thing, but knowing how to use it is another. To ensure your teams know how to use this tool, consultants offer the following:

• Run training for different teams: Consultants can teach your team how to use the dashboards, sort information, and even make basic reports on their own. You can check out this post to understand why training is essential when adopting any new technology like Power BI.
• Offer support as your needs grow: There are support plans that can help you whether you need support six months or a year down the line.
• Help update old reports or dashboards: Your dashboards should change as your business grows. Consultants can help with things like redesigning or adding new information sources.

You can mix and match these services to meet the needs of your business. For instance, some businesses only need help with setup, while others need help with everything from start to finish. Either way, Power BI consultants are there to make sure the system works for you and not the other way around.

Conclusion

Power BI consulting services can take your data from confusing to clear. They help you use the tool the way it was meant to be used. Moreover, they can save your team time, money, and headaches.