Deploying PBIX files similar to how you do with an SSRS rdl files

[lukee_shodan]

Hi All,

I have a question regarding deployment of a PBIX file to the Power Bi Service which needs to be similar to deploying an SSRS report to Reporting Services.

Now that GDPR is approaching and for my comany to continue to provide support for Power Bi, we need to re think how a PBIX file can be published without data.

Ideally, we are after the PBIX files to work in a smilar manner to rdl files. For example, rdl files, contain the report strcuture, data set structure, parameters, fillters, No data is embedded into these reports.

We require PBIX files to use this similar approach. If a PBIX file has been deployed to the Power BI service, we need the ability for our customers to be able to point to either an on-prem or in the cloud datasource.

I understand that Power Bi premium does provide this facility via the Power BI Report server, however the monthly cost is enough to turn anyone away for smaller organisations. Please can you let me know if this can be achieved in Power BI Pro or if this is currently in the pipeline for future releases.

Thanks  

[v-ljerr-msft]

Hi @lukee_shodan,

If Power BI Report server is not an option here, I would suggest you try using Direct Query mode to connect your datasource with Power BI in this scenario. 

With Direct Query mode, no data is imported or copied into Power BI Desktop(pbix file). For relational sources, the selected tables and columns appear in the Fields list. For multi-dimensional sources like SAP Business Warehouse, the dimensions and measures of the selected cube appear in the Fields list. As you create or interact with a visualization, Power BI Desktop queries the underlying data source, which means you’re always viewing current data.

Reference:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-use-directquery

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-directquery-about

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-directquery-data-sources

Regards

[lukee_shodan]

Hi @v-ljerr-msft,

Direct query would be a good solution however, currently, Direct query does not cope with large SQL querys which return large amounts of data. 

Ideally Direct query would be the approach to use, and similar to how ssrs reports work, this would have been the case anyway. If I were to use Direct query, and from reading up about it, how can I get the best out of it, what best practices should be applied to SQL queries and reports? Also are there any settings within Power Bi desktop that can be applied to optimise Direct query?

Please can you also let me know if there is any features on the road map which will be supported in the Power Bi service, to programattically deploy PBITs to the Power Bi service?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks