Direct query and access

[vanessafvg]

I am sure this question has been asked many times but with the the release of power bi reports embedded in sharepoint online and integration with SSRS I was wondering if there is anyway to share a dashboard that uses direct query with no pro licenses users for read only?

Probably not, but it was worth an ask!

[Seth_C_Bauer]

@vanessafvg The Direct Query connection type requires a Pro License. So this would fall under the "Probably not" answer. The new feature doesn't change any of this existing process to get the file to the Service, etc. The SharePoint Online portion pulls the URL from the Service. But with SSRS, that is a different story because the Service isn't involved and that is where the "Pro" licensing is applied. When using Power BI in SSRS on premises only is fully baked, that is a route in which I would assume there would be no rules for end users requiring additional licenses for content.

[vanessafvg]

worth playing around with on the SSRS side then.     I haven't actually tried it yet so the mechanics of how it works will need to be explored, essentially though i guess anythign that uses embedded would require a pro license i guess?

They really need to work on a  read only version of the pro license, in a large company this can clock up the $$!

[Seth_C_Bauer]

@vanessafvg You can find the latest technical preview that you can download here

Embedding that you would use for company reporting - yes.

I would agree there is a use case for a different sort of pricing if a company wanted read only users, but the arguement there is that Power BI is a reporting tool that every level of business can use to get better insights and you are closing that door. Maybe an upgrade path from read only to Pro user would be the right avenue. 
But the cost vs. value is already insanely good compared to other analytics tools. So they need to make money somehow. The SSRS path assumes that you've invested in at least 1 SQL server, so you aren't getting Power BI for free. It is just a lot more sustainable for hundreds of users that don't need to build reports.

[vanessafvg]

well there are parts of the business that are really just not analysts and never will be so closing that door vs cost, cost will win.  Agree that its very cheap but also think that its reaching a new segment within the market that would not have previously used products like qlikview / tableau due to the expense and other variables such as skill etc.  ie.  these new users are excel users.  So because of its office products Microsoft has this reach so to speak so will need to be competitive 

[djnww]

Agree