PowerBI hosted model

[msprog]

Hello PowerBI experts,

I had a question on PowerBI Data model hosting.

As far as i know, there are 2 hosting options:

1. SSAS

2. PowerBI

You use SSAS as the hosting option to enable re-usability of the model. This way multiple PowerBI PBIX can connect to the same SSAS instance and pull measures.

When you use option2) i.e. host the model within PowerBI itself, your model is accessible only to your particular PBIX.

This was my understanding so far .

Now yesterday i heard a collegue say about hosting the model within PowerBI while letting other pbix reports to access the same model i.e you don't need SSAS to host the model - you could host it within PowerBI and also enable re-usability. Not just other PowerBI report, He mentioned that even Excel could connect to the model.

I couldn't gather the details from this colleague but I want to know is this possible now? You host a model within PowerBI that allows other PBIX/Excel to connect.

I am not aware of this feature if it exists hence this query here please

Thanks

[msprog]

Thanks a lot @Burningsuit  This is very helpful.  Sorry a follow-up question if i may. 

So when would you use  Analysis Services as a hosting option vis-avis  PBI Datasets? Any guidance available on that please?

Thanks

[Burningsuit]

HI @msprog 

In my view, I'd only use Analysis Services if I already had AS Cubes and had used AS or SSAS previously. It seems like an upgrade and migration thing, giving those who have already invested a lot of time and money in AS, SSAS and SSRS a way to use their cubes data and expertise in Power BI. 

If you haven't already got AS cubes set up, there is no benefit in creating them for Power BI, it's much better to use Datasets.

hope this helps

Stuart 

[Burningsuit · Accepted solution]

HI @msprog 

Yes, a Power BI Dataset can be shared in numerous ways. Either shared explicitly by using the Permissions Settings, or shared implicitly by being placed on a Workspace which is shared with others. SSAS is not required to enable this.

You can connect to the Dataset in Power BI Desktop to create a new report on the data, you can also create a new report on the dataset by simply selecting "create report" on the Dataset settings.

An important concept in Power BI service is that of a "golden dataset" which contains cleaned, approved and regulated data which many users then connect to and create Reports as required.

See : Connect to datasets in the Power BI service from Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Docs

and : Connect and analyze Power BI data directly from Excel, with the July update of Power BI publisher fo... 

Hope this helps

Stuart