Best practse approach to use on prem SSAS model in deployment pipelines

[Capstone]

I have about 10 different on prem SSAS models which I want to use to build reports and publish to service. I have Premium Gen 2 and want to use deployment pipeline and go through DEV -> TEST -> PROD. I have different environments for DEV and PROD data in my on prem environment.

Considering this what is the best approach to use the pipeline. If I connect live to the on prem SSAS models I cannot use parameters to define my server, database, nor can I use other features like incremental refresh etc. So do I then import the data into PBI and publish that model into service and use that dataset as the source in all my reports and move them via the pipeline ? 

Any help would be appreciated.

[v-xiaotang]

Hi @Capstone 

To choose which connection mode, it needs to consider their respective advantages and disadvantages. 

Here is an article that gives a comprehensive comparison about Import mode & LC mode, for your reference,

https://radacad.com/directquery-live-connection-or-import-data-tough-decision

Best Regards,

Community Support Team _Tang

If this post helps, please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.