Forum Discussion
New to Power Bi. Confusing with our setup, suggestions needed.
zubair No, not to my knowledge. Couple other things (GA, General Availability) for SQL 2016 is June 1st, I am not aware of any restrictions on data sources, so using SSAS as a datasource - a PBI Desktop file to create reports and "sharing" that in you SSRS portal should most definetely be a valid scenerio.
If i understood it correct, what you are suggestion is that dont use the Power BI enterprise gateway (yet), and simply wait for the new SQL 2016 with Power Bi integration which can handle this for me? Im not in a hurry for the implementation, as long the new SQL 2016 is released in the end of this year i can wait.
Are the rest setup ok, with a "central" SQL database?
zubair Here is my take on your question.
First, I think that we should point out that there are two parts to Power BI. The Desktop - that you mention is the tool that you use for building reports and also has modeling/consumption abilities, this tool is free for all. The part you don't reference is the Service (app.powerbi.com) this is where you can also create reports, but it contains the "Sharing" component. This is where the Pro licensing part is.
If you need to keep your data secure, you have two options. Use SSAS on the back end, and live connect. Or Direct Query to a SQL database and build your model layer in the Desktop.
A new option which smoupre mentions is the new abilities in SQL 2016. Where you could bypass the Service portion, and keep everything on premises and be able to use normal SSRS reports and Power BI Desktop files in the Reporting Portal.
Note: If you use a Pro feature, (which you will be) then all your end users will need a Pro license in order to view them. So all your 50 end users would require licenses as well as the 10 building them.
Anonymous Thanks for the clarification, i have missed out the "service/sharing" part.
If i wait for the new option with the sql 2016, would i then still need the pro license? ( I assume the sql 2016 has the built in feature with the service like the SSAS? )zubair No, not to my knowledge. Couple other things (GA, General Availability) for SQL 2016 is June 1st, I am not aware of any restrictions on data sources, so using SSAS as a datasource - a PBI Desktop file to create reports and "sharing" that in you SSRS portal should most definetely be a valid scenerio.
Anonymous thanks, this sounds as a legit solution and thanks for the quick response and help to everyone.