Reducing SQL reports

[ammartino44]

Hello. Our IT team creates tons of random SQL created reports. Every time I want a report, I have to wait a very long time and it has become not worth it. I see power pivot as a solution to this, or I am misunderstanding the potential of powerpivot? In my case, I think I would just need a few sql queries that return tables (data dumps of certain data fields) that I can manipulate myself in the power pivot model. I can create analysis with a million times more flexibility than an IT created report (or at this point, even a data warehouse tool that is too summary at this point). 

A related question is where data warehouse lie in relation to power pivot. We have a tool on top of the data warehouse, but our data warehouse is very summary level (can it ever get super granular?) What does sitting power pivot on top of the data warehouse vs. creating a few broad sql queries that can be refreshed periodically. 

[Greg_Deckler · Accepted solution]

Yes, you have hit the nail on the head with respect to the potential value of something like Power BI providing self-service reporting and dashboarding. It is even more powerful in this regard when you leverage the Q&A feature of the Service.

Sitting Power BI on top of a data warehouse with summary level information will allow you to visualize your data better but by grabbing the raw, detailed data, you can essentially create your own data mart with all of the detailed information as well as the ability to summarize it how you see fit.