Elevating business analytics: migrating from BusinessObjects to Power BI

5-minute read

Quick summary: We explore the shift some businesses are undertaking from SAP BusinessObjects to Microsoft Power BI, offering insights for ensuring a smooth migration that aligns with long-term digital transformation goals.

The business intelligence (BI) landscape is evolving rapidly with a clear trend towards cloud-based solutions, driven by escalating data volumes, accelerating data velocities, and businesses’ desire to perform high-compute analysis such as machine learning. In late 2023, SAP introduced a new milestone in this evolution when it announced a decision to stop releasing new on-premise versions of its BusinessObjects BI platform post-2025.

As BusinessObjects users consider the ramifications of SAP’s decision, many are taking the opportunity to consider alternative BI platforms. Microsoft Power BI is emerging as a preferred choice for many, mainly because of its comprehensive integration possibilities, user-centric design, advanced data visualization features, inclusion in a larger data solution package (Microsoft Fabric), and alignment with cloud journeys to Microsoft Azure.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why BusinessObjects users are attracted to Power BI and explore some key considerations and best practices for ensuring a smooth migration.

The appeal of Microsoft Power BI

For BusinessObjects users looking for a viable alternative, Microsoft Power BI offers a compelling combination of ease of use, robust functionality, and cost-effectiveness. Here’s a closer look at what makes Power BI so attractive.

Seamless integration and ease of use

Power BI integrates seamlessly with a wide array of data sources and the broader Microsoft ecosystem, offering a unified experience for those already using Microsoft products. Its intuitive interface is designed to democratize data analytics, enabling users of various skill levels to generate insights without extensive training. This combination of ease of use and integration capability reduces the learning curve and makes the new platform attractive to users.

Advanced data visualization and scalability

At the heart of Power BI’s appeal are its data visualization capabilities and cloud-based scalability. The platform allows users to craft detailed, interactive data visualizations that can communicate complex insights with clarity.

Additionally, Power BI supports complex data models through its use of semantic models, which enhance data sharing and interoperability across different analytics tools. This feature is especially beneficial for businesses that require advanced data handling and reporting capabilities. As a cloud-native solution, Power BI effortlessly scales to meet the demands of businesses of all sizes, ensuring that organizations can grow their analytics capabilities in tandem with their operational needs.

Cost-effectiveness and community support

Power BI’s cost structure is designed to deliver value without the significant upfront investments associated with traditional BI tools, making it accessible for businesses at various stages of growth. Additionally, the vibrant Power BI community, supported by continuous innovations from Microsoft, provides a valuable resource for users seeking to enhance their BI capabilities.

Considerations for a successful transition

Strategic planning and upskilling for success

A successful migration to Power BI hinges on thorough strategic planning and dedicated skill development. Organizations must invest time in mapping out their BI needs and preparing their data architecture for a smooth transition. Equally important is the upskilling of teams in Power BI–specific areas such as DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) and Power Query. Mastery of these tools is crucial for leveraging the full potential of Power BI, ensuring that teams can build robust models and reports that drive insightful decision-making.

Navigating security and compliance

Migrating from an on-premise BI solution to a cloud-based platform like Power BI introduces a new set of security and compliance considerations. Ensuring that data remains secure in the cloud environment is paramount. Power BI uses Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure Active Directory) to authenticate and identify viewers; this authentication can then be leveraged for row-level security, object-level security, and viewership and ownership rights.

The platform automatically encrypts data at-rest and in-process using Microsoft-managed keys by default, but offers the option to use custom keys for certain data model types. Organizations should ensure alignment between Power BI’s security features and their internal security policies and compliance requirements. This careful approach to security and compliance helps maintain trust in the BI system and protects sensitive information throughout the migration process and beyond.

Streamlining your migration to Power BI

The migration from BusinessObjects to Power BI can be significantly simplified with a structured approach and the right expertise.

1. Begin by assessing your current BI environment, along with current report usage and reconciliation processes, to understand the specific needs and challenges your organization faces.
2. Detailed planning is crucial; this phase should outline the migration’s scope, including timelines and key milestones.
3. In the data migration and execution phase, the actual migration of data models, reports, and dashboards takes place, closely monitored to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
4. Validation involves rigorous testing to confirm that the migrated solutions perform as expected and deliver the intended value.

Throughout this process, partnering with experts who specialize in Power BI migrations can be invaluable. These partners bring a wealth of experience, ensuring that common pitfalls are avoided and that the migration leverages best practices for a seamless transition. Their guidance can accelerate the migration, reduce risks, and help the organization realize the benefits of Power BI more quickly.

Ongoing support for BI architecture and data modeling is also essential for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the BI environment. Finally, implementing robust change management processes will help ensure that the organization can adapt to new tools and workflows effectively, securing long-term success in the evolving business intelligence landscape.

Navigating the future of business intelligence