New to Power Bi. Confusing with our setup, suggestions needed.

[zubair]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to Power Bi, and have only tested the free version to see if it was something for us. The product looks very exciting and I would like your help to understand how the setup can be implemented correct in my organization. To be clear, im not that interested in the cloud services, since our data (as everyones) is very strictly classified.

About us: Today we have 4 different data sources, each of which has its own SQL database, and on each server as well. They are all  independent from each other. All 4 data sources are physically on our network, and can only be accessed by one on the internal network. We are about 10 super users, and in addition, 50 ordinary users.

The 10 of us would like to be the ones to make data sets, reports, dashboards etc. and publish it out to the rest team so they can see it on their dashboards, or see the reporst etc.
The 4 data souces are updated severel times during the day, and the interval would aprox. be every 1 hour. The 50 users should see these data sets, reports and thus make their own either from scratch or by continuing to work with them we have created to them.

Could the following setup be a solution to the above:
a) Install a new "central" SQL database server where all data from the four data sources will be replicated into the "central" sql database  either via WebServices, .csv file etc. transfer with sftp for example.
b) On this "central" SQL database, install Power BI Enterprise bridge, and set it up.
c) Install Power BI desktop pro at the 10 super users local machine, and get them connected to the Power BI bridge.
d) Install Power BI desktop on the other 50 users local machine, and get them connected to the Power BI bridge.

Would the above setup work?
Will the price be, 10xsuper users power bi desktop pro? Or would it cost me total 60 Power Bi pro license? Or would these 50 users be free?

In addition, of course license to the central MS SQL database server, plus O.S etc.

Thanks!

[wonga]

@zubair If you don't intend to use the Power BI Service at all (i.e. not publishing reports), then you don't even need a gateway or bridge as you call it.

Based on your post, it sounds like the super users would develop the reports and then share the reports as PBIX files throughout the organization?

If your intention is the above, you won't even need Power BI Pro licenses. The Pro license is mainly for the Power BI Service, all development through Power BI Desktop is free.

[zubair]

Your assumptions is almost correct. The idea of simply just sharing the files are very tempting, but i would also needs these reports to the updated/refreshed freq. As my understanding goes, the free version or local files will not do that?

[wonga]

@zubair Right, auto or scheduled refreshes cannot be done on local PBIX files unless you are using DirectQuery (live connection) when doing the initial "Get Data" action.

[Greg_Deckler]

By Enterprise bridge, are you referring to the Enterprise Gateway or to SQL Server 2016 Power BI integration?

[zubair]

I was actually referring to the gateway, wasnt aware about this SQL Server 2016 Power BI integration product.
What does this do? I assume this can replace the gateway product?

[Greg_Deckler]

Actually, it sort of replaces the Service. Basically, in the upcoming version of SQL Server 2016, you can make it your on-premises report publishing platform. I believe the only solution for that today is Pyramid Analytics Server but it is coming in SQL Server 2016. Might make more sense to go that route versus the gateway and the Service for highly classified data.

[zubair]

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?

[Seth_C_Bauer]

@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.

[zubair]

@Seth_C_Bauer 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? )

[Seth_C_Bauer · Accepted solution]

@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.

[zubair]

@Seth_C_Bauer thanks, this sounds as a legit solution and thanks for the quick response and help to everyone.

[caantjes]

Additional question :

We are also in investigation phase.

It seems that we can include dashboard views in our customer portal (web pages).

This could be to many users who only occassionally will see this part of their portal.

Would the same monthly Power BI Pro fees apply for these users also or are we familiar wit a different scheme ?