Microsoft Power Pages Use Case: Embedding Power BI Reports
Microsoft Power Pages Use Case: Embedding Power BI Reports
One of the common Microsoft Power Pages use cases that we see is sharing Power BI reports externally. In a previous case study we covered a Power Pages use case for securing a Power BI report behind a login page. This article is about a different Power Pages use case – sharing reports publicly with potential customers.
Our client in this case was International Data Spaces Association who gather the data on the data spaces in the European Union. We developed a Power BI report and embedded it into this Power Pages portal to help them share the data they gathered with their audience.
Primary Goals and Requirements:
Open Accessibility for Clients:
The client’s primary goal was to create a data portal accessible without complex login procedures. They wanted an online space where their clients could seamlessly access relevant data insights without needing technical support or additional authentication.
Real-Time Data Visualization:
Given the dynamic nature of retail data, it was crucial that the solution displayed real-time information. This requirement underscored the need for a reliable data visualization tool that could dynamically update information as it became available.
Interactive and Engaging Dashboard Experience:
Beyond static reports, the client needed an interactive dashboard that allowed users to engage with the data. They wanted end-users to filter, sort, and drill down into data metrics without any coding or specialized software skills.
Scalability and Future Growth:
As the client’s data needs were likely to evolve, they needed a flexible solution that could adapt to new data types and accommodate additional reports as their business expanded.
After assessing various options, Microsoft Power Pages emerged as the ideal platform for embedding Power BI real-time, interactive reports. This approach would allow us to deliver a solution that aligned perfectly with the client’s requirements, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
Power Pages Use Case – Embedded reports
To address the client’s needs, our Power Pages Consultancy developed a robust online data portal using Microsoft Power Pages, a secure, low-code platform designed for building external websites. Microsoft Power Pages was an excellent fit, as it allowed us to quickly create an intuitive, professionally branded website where users could access real-time insights without needing to authenticate.
The portal’s core feature was a public Power BI report embedded on the landing page, accessible to anyone visiting the site. This setup allowed the client to meet their key requirement: providing clients with immediate, open access to live data visualizations and insights without the need for user-specific licensing.
Implementation Process
The implementation involved several key stages, each focused on creating an optimized and client-focused user experience.
Requirements Analysis and Planning:
– Working closely with the client, we identified essential data categories (e.g., customer trends, and inventory levels).
We outlined the portal’s structure, agreeing on a streamlined navigation system and intuitive user interface to ensure clients could access desired data with minimal clicks.
Design and Development with Power Pages:
Customized UI:
Leveraging Power Pages’ customizable templates, we developed a user-friendly, visually engaging portal with branding elements that resonated with the client’s corporate identity. You can see the landing page from this Power Pages use case below.
Simple Navigation: To enhance the user experience, we designed a landing page that prominently featured the embedded Power BI report, providing a single entry point for all data insights.
Responsiveness: Ensuring the portal was mobile-responsive was a priority, as clients might access the site from various devices. Power Pages allowed us to maintain consistent functionality and aesthetics across screens.
Embedding Power BI Reports for Real-Time Data Visualization:
Report Design: Using Power BI, we created an interactive dashboard with a range of visualizations (e.g., line charts, bar graphs, and tables) tailored to the client’s data. The design emphasized clarity and simplicity, making it easy for clients to interpret key metrics.
Public Embedding Configuration: To meet the client’s requirement of open accessibility, we configured the Power BI report to be accessible publicly. By using Power BI’s “Publish to Web” feature, we allowed users to view the report without individual licenses or logins.
Data Interactivity: A key feature of Power BI is its interactive capabilities, which we leveraged to allow clients to filter and manipulate data directly within the embedded report frame. This interactivity created a more engaging and insightful experience, empowering users to drill down into specifics and better understand trends.
You can see the Power BI reports from this Power Pages use case below:
The goal was to analyse the number of data spaces as well as countries and industries of companies that adopt them.
The next Power BI page from our Power Pages use case visualises the sources of funding and monthly trends for the data spaces.
The geographical split of the data spaces was analysed in the next Power BI page.
Testing and Optimization:
1. User Testing:
We conducted usability testing with a sample group of end-users, gathering feedback on navigation, data visualization clarity, and overall ease of use.
2. Performance Optimization:
Ensuring quick load times and seamless data refreshes was critical, especially for end-users accessing the portal over varying internet speeds. We optimized Power BI’s data refresh schedule to ensure real-time data was available without compromising performance.
3. Security and Compliance Check:
Although the goal of this Power Pages use case is publicly sharing the Power BI report, Power Pages provided options to control other sensitive parts of the portal and ensure compliance with the client’s data-sharing policies.
Key Benefits Delivered to the Client
The final Power Pages portal successfully met the client’s requirements, delivering a range of key benefits that exceeded their expectations.
Enhanced Data Accessibility for Clients: The portal provided clients with open, unrestricted access to the latest data, improving transparency and enhancing relationships. Clients could access insights directly from their devices, removing the need for complex authentication processes.
Cost Efficiency with Power BI’s Public Report Feature: By embedding a public Power BI report, the client avoided the costs associated with individual user licensing. This approach proved highly cost-effective, especially given the high volume of client access.
User-Friendly and Interactive Data Insights: The interactive elements of Power BI, including filters, slicers, and drill-downs, allowed clients to engage actively with the data. This interactivity was invaluable for clients looking to make data-driven decisions, as they could explore specific metrics in greater detail.
Real-Time Data Updates for Informed Decision-Making: The portal’s integration with Power BI enabled automatic data refreshes, providing clients with up-to-date insights without requiring manual intervention. This feature was particularly valuable for clients monitoring fast-changing metrics like sales and inventory.
Scalability for Future Growth: Microsoft Power Pages and Power BI offered the flexibility to expand the portal as the client’s data needs grew. Additional data categories or custom reports could be added easily, ensuring the solution remained relevant over time.
Enhanced Brand Image and Professionalism: The branded, professional look and feel of the portal helped the client strengthen their corporate image. The portal became a powerful tool for presenting data in a visually appealing and structured format, reinforcing the client’s position as a data-driven, forward-thinking business.
Technical Overview: Microsoft Power Pages and Power BI Integration
Microsoft Power Pages:
Power Pages is a secure, low-code website-building platform under the Microsoft Power Platform suite. It provides:
Scalability and Customization: Templates and themes to build professional, branded sites with low-code or no-code customization options.
Security Features: Secure data management options, though in this case, the report was public, so the security focus was on non-report areas.
Responsive Design: Ensures the portal displays consistently across devices.
Power BI
Power BI is Microsoft’s data visualization tool, known for:
Interactive Dashboard Capabilities: It offers dynamic, user-friendly visualizations.
Public Access Configuration: Using the “Publish to Web” feature, we made the report accessible without requiring licenses.
Scheduled Refreshes: Power BI enables regular data updates, ensuring clients have access to the latest insights at all times.
Outcome and Client Feedback
The client reported significant improvements in their client relationships and overall client satisfaction. The ease of access to data fostered a culture of transparency, and the interactive dashboard allowed clients to make faster, more informed decisions. Feedback from end-users was overwhelmingly positive, with clients praising the simplicity and accessibility of the portal.
Future Enhancements and Scalability
While the current portal meets the client’s needs, future enhancements could include:
User-Specific Data Access: For additional privacy, Power BI can support role-based access in private reports, useful for sensitive client data.
Expanded Data Categories: The client could add other operational metrics, like HR data or supply chain metrics, providing a holistic view of their business.
Advanced Analytics: Incorporating AI-driven insights or predictive analytics would add value, giving clients even deeper insights into their data.
Conclusion
This Microsoft Power Pages Use Case demonstrated the powerful capabilities of Power BI integration and in building accessible, data-driven solutions. By combining open-access data visualization with a secure, branded web interface, we provided the client with an effective, scalable tool that is both cost-efficient and future-proof. This case study exemplifies how Power Pages and Power BI reports can create transformative solutions for businesses seeking to improve client engagement and data accessibility.
