Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence (BI) platform that provides non-technical business users with tools for aggregating, analyzing, visualizing, and sharing data. Microsoft Power BI is available to Concordia University faculty and staff as part of Microsoft 365. There are two components to Power BI at Concordia:
Power BI Desktop: a free application that can be installed on your local computer that lets you connect to, transform, and visualize your data.
- Power BI Pro License: a pro license allows an individual to use the Power BI service to publish reports and dashboards in their personal workspace and share their content with other users that also have a pro license.
Most users who work on business intelligence projects use Power BI Desktop to create reports, and then use the Power BI service to share their reports with others.
Who can use it?
Full-time faculty and staff
How much does it cost?
There is no cost to download and install Power BI desktop. The cost of the Power BI Pro licenses is assumed by IITS as part of the office 365 licensing agreement for full-time faculty and staff.
How to get it?
Power BI Desktop
If you have the necessary permissions on your Concordia device, you may download and install Power BI Desktop directly from the MS Store; otherwise, you will need to open a request with the IT Service Desk to have it installed on your Concordia device:
- Contact the IITS Service Desk
Request Power BI Desktop to be installed on your Concordia device (provide your device details).
An IITS technician will be in touch to make an appointment to install the software or make it available for download.
The Power BI Pro license is automatically included to allow you to use the Power BI Service.
Power BI Pro
Power BI Pro is an individual per-user license that lets users create content and also read and interact with content that others have published to the Power BI service. Users with this license type can share content and collaborate with other Power BI Pro users. Only Power BI Pro users can publish or share content with other Pro users or consume content that's created by other Pro users. For example, if you need to access a dashboard created by IDS, OIPA, Advancement or another department.
Consume a report or dashboard created by another department or colleague
- For consuming reports & dashboards, approval must be granted by the owner of the content or the corresponding data steward.
- For sharing reports and workspace assignment a business/work need must be demonstrated, and corresponding data governance requirements must be met.
Service Availability
24/7
Documentation
FAQ
Yes, you can download and install power BI desktop on your computer. For license availability contact the service desk for details on what license is available to you.
A data Steward is an oversight or data governance role within Concordia University. Data Stewards have sector- specific responsibility for facilitating appropriate data and information systems use of their respective systems, and for ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures and standards.
You can share PBIX files directly with others. They can open them in their personal workspace or using Power BI Desktop. Please note that you are responsible for any content being shared and must ensure that any data governance requirements are met.