Best cost-effective manner to install Power Bi Gateway on AWS

[Laocsulak]

Hello,

I work for a small startup where we operate on AWS, and I am the sole person responsible for data management where I present information using Power BI dashboards.

I chose to use the Import Mode to run scheduled refreshes because I've read that Direct Query tends to run slower on Power BI Service, and I want to ensure a smooth experience for the end-user.

Everything works well, but the challenge I'm facing is that I installed the Gateway on an AWS EC2 with an m5.2xlarge processor (I tried smaller processors before, but scheduled refreshes failed). However, this setup led to a cost of 500 USD for a month, which is unsustainable for us, especially given that it's only running the Gateway.

So my doubt is, How do you refresh Power BI dashboards in a more cost-effective manner?

Thank you in advance!

[Covenant-bi]

Here are some ways to refresh Power BI dashboards in a more cost-effective manner:

• Use DirectQuery instead of Import mode. As you mentioned, DirectQuery can be slower than Import mode, but it can be more cost-effective if your data source is frequently updated. This is because Power BI does not need to import the entire data set into the Power BI service every time the data is refreshed.
• Use incremental refresh. Incremental refresh allows you to only refresh the data that has changed since the last refresh. This can significantly reduce the amount of data that needs to be refreshed, which can save you money.
• Schedule refreshes during off-peak hours. If you are only refreshing your data during peak hours, you are likely paying more for the compute resources you are using. By scheduling refreshes during off-peak hours, you can save money on your AWS bill.
• Use a smaller EC2 instance for the Gateway. As you mentioned, you are currently using an m5.2xlarge instance for the Gateway. This is a very powerful instance, and it is likely overkill for your needs. You can save money by using a smaller instance, such as an m5.xlarge instance.
• Use a shared Gateway. If you are part of a Power BI community or organization, you may be able to share a Gateway with other users. This can save you money on the cost of the Gateway.

[R1k91]

are you running refresh 24/7?

if not you can think to shut down vm when not in use or scale down vm when pick is down