Forum Discussion
Semantic Layer / Data modeling
Hello, My orginzation currently uses Oracle's OBIEE (Oracle Analytics Server replaced it a few years ago, we just haven't upgraded to OAS). The org is looking to move in a new direction and we h...
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I have had the same question; "How to add a semantic layer before Power BI".
Here are a few options that I have found - I am sure there are others along with many 3rd party tools.
Below is ordered from Small scale to Enterprise level:
- Data Model in Power BI - publlished to the service. Create a shared pbix dataset that has the Semantic layer details defined and uses the Star Schema. Different people then use this dataset to create their reports.
- Power BI Data Mart - part of the premium service ☹️. Create the Model in the DataMart and this is then used as the data connection for the user's reports. Again, the Star schema would be pre-defined along with measures and references between tables.
- Azure Analysis Services - can be expensive ... Create a tabular model in AAS with the connections, references, and business logic. Users use this as their data connection with the measures, column formatting and even Row Level security in place.
Right now, we are using Option1 until our adoption of Power BI matures - eventually hoping to move to the Premium per user model and then implement DataMarts.