Approach to combine Powerbi Service and other Data sources.

[powerbisach]

Hi ,

We have a complex data architecture already build in Power BI desktop. Due to large file size issue we are not adding further datasets into this Power BI desktop file.

Now wee need to build new reports where we need to consider the Pbix already build & i addition everyone in organisation need to add some of the datasets on there own and build a new report.

Appreciate if someone let us know regarding right approach/how to deal with this issue where we can have a pbix as data source + additional data source (sql,Excel etc.)

[powerbisach]

Hi Marius,

Azure is not a solution for our organisation as it needs a technology change and licening/pricing issues.

How dataflows for powerbi service/pbix works? because we have data set in pbix which is consumed from sql, excel, onedrive source, basic ETL done in powerquery and a lot of business logic is build using DAX in pbix. and the pbix is also frequently changing to accomplish new business rule.

Currently we are taking updadted pbix and adding additional dataset/rules in pbix and creating another report.

But with every change in pbix we need to repeat this excersie which is not fruitful. Appreciate your input

[Mariusz]

Hi @powerbisach ,

Dataflows is a datawarehouse solution that uses power query, allows you to store tranformed data and shere it with other power bi pro users. 

If you use DAX for calculated columns you can start moving the logic to power query this will most of the times reduce the size of the model, also you can start reducing the number of columns by removing the ones that are not used or consider spliting the file to business entities.

If for some reason you need the model to be centralised then SSAS tabular on premiss or Azure AS are the only options that I can think of.

Regards 
Mariusz

[Mariusz]

HI @powerbisach 

I would probobly look at azure AS tabular with live connection if you really have to keep it as one big model, else dataflows could be the answere to store the data, if you are looking DW solution and multiple PBI models.

Hope this helps
Mariusz