Level-up your Power BI data modeling skills

After a successful webinar series on Data Modeling with Power BI, all webinar content is now packed together in a full day precon. The day will be in three sections, where we kick-off with the basics of data modeling. Then we continue with more advanced patterns to finish the day with expert level modeling by using all advanced features and techniques.

So, what is a good data model in Power BI? How do you make sure you have the basics in place so the model you build today, will still work next year? We talk about different modeling concepts, whether to use the data model or Power Query for transformations, the differences in calculated columns and DAX with their effects on your model and handling role-playing dimensions.

After the basics, it is time to level-up by considering more complex patterns like different types of relationships, overcoming ambiguity, and successfully implementing aggregations. Also, different types of storages modes come into play. Dealing with DirectQuery and Imported (cached) data in the same model on table level with user defined aggregations, but also hybrid tables with different storage modes in the same table. Of course, we will talk about composite models with Power BI datasets and/or (Azure) Analysis Services.

To top-off this day full of real-life examples, we will talk about calculation groups and their behavior in composite models. We make sure you finish the day with a list full of tips and tricks that can be directly brought to practice directly.

After this precon you will be able to:
- Explain basic dimensional modeling concepts
- Create a well working and performing data model in Power BI
- Decide when to use Power Query vs the data model
- Decide when to use Calculated columns or measures
- Handle complex situations with inactive relationships and role-playing dimensions.
- Leverage one and bi-directional relationships
- Overcome and handle ambiguous data models
- Successfully implement aggregations
- Work with real live scenarios containing multiple fact tables
- Understand and explain different types of storage modes in Power BI
- Combine DirectQuery and import storage modes in a composite model
- Successfully implement calculation groups
- Understand calculation groups in composite models and their behavior

This precon is a comprehensive training session on data modeling in Power BI, covering both basic and advanced topics. The session is divided into three sections, starting with the fundamentals of data modeling before moving onto more advanced patterns and finishing with expert-level modeling using all advanced features and techniques.

The first section covers the basics of data modeling, discussing various modeling concepts and techniques, including whether to use the data model or Power Query for transformations, calculated columns and DAX, and handling role-playing dimensions. Participants will learn how to create a well-working and performing data model in Power BI and understand the basic dimensional modeling concepts.

The second section focuses on more advanced topics, including different types of relationships, overcoming ambiguity, and successfully implementing aggregations. Participants will also learn about different types of storage modes, including DirectQuery and Imported (cached) data, and how to handle them in the same model, as well as composite models with Power BI datasets and/or (Azure) Analysis Services.

The final section covers expert-level modeling by discussing calculation groups and their behavior in composite models. The session provides real-life examples, giving participants a list of tips and tricks that can be applied directly to their work.

Upon completion of this precon, participants will be able to understand and explain different modeling concepts, decide when to use Power Query vs. the data model, and when to use calculated columns or measures. They will also be able to handle complex situations with inactive relationships and role-playing dimensions, leverage one and bi-directional relationships, and overcome ambiguous data models. Additionally, participants will learn how to work with real-life scenarios containing multiple fact tables, understand and explain different types of storage modes in Power BI, and successfully implement calculation groups in composite models.

Successfully collaborate with externals in Power BI

Do you know where to start if you want to share Power BI artefacts like reports, dashboards or even datasets with external people not from your company? Or maybe even want to setup B2B collaboration by sharing datasets and co-author solutions?

During this session, Marc will cover all things sharing, tenant settings, the new cross-tenant dataset sharing feature and further B2B collaboration with Power BI. We will help you to get started with what questions you need to answer before starting and how to set it up so that everything works.

We will tell you all about it and make sure you will be well equipped after this session to get your external collaboration started. Also, we will provide you with a decision tree which will help you even after this session to know what approach to use.

Power BI Datamarts - what is it and how do I benefit from it?

During MS Build 2022, Microsoft announced Power BI Datamarts, a new artifact in the Power BI ecosystem which should minimize the gab between self-service analyst and central BI teams, or IT if you will. Now, analyst should be able to get their ad-hoc analytics experience started, just from the Power BI Service.

But what exactly are Power BI Datamarts are, and how to position them next to Power BI dataflows and datasets or even in your end-to-end data estate. Where to get started with Datamarts?

During this session, I will walk you through Power BI Datamarts and show them in practice, so that after the session, you can start taking advantage of them yourself directly!

After this session, you will be able to:
- You will be able to explain what Datamarts are, and how they are different than dataflows and Datasets.
- You know when you can consider to use Datamarts, and where your central data platform is still required.
- You know how and where to get started with your first hands-on experience with Power BI Datamarts.

Power BI refreshes - reinvented!

Have you always been scheduling your Power BI refresh in the service? Struggling to get your data available in your model in a short amount of time? Then this session is for you!

During this session, you will learn advanced patterns to optimally configure and refresh your Power BI data models in the service. We will not only discuss incremental refresh, but also how you can get your data available in your model in (near) real time.

We will discuss various patterns from high frequency refresh operations, single table or partition refreshes, detecting data changes in archived partitions and more advanced patters.

After this session you will be able to;
- Configure incremental refresh.
- Refresh individual tables and partitions in a published Power BI model.
- Connect your Power BI refresh to other processes and orchestrate centrally end-to-end.

Data modeling for experts with Power BI

Have you been working with Power BI for a while? Then it is time to take the next step with your data modeling skills!

You might have heard about Power BI composite models. But in order to implement them successfully, it is important to understand the different storage modes that Power BI has. This is key for a successful implementation and also understand the possible dangers of the storage mode behaviors.

More over, let's also talk Calculation groups! You might have been creating numerous calculations in the past for year to date, quarter to date and many other common patterns. With Calculation Groups you can limit the number of redundant measures by creating a common expression parts in a group, that can be applied on top of multiple measures.

And finally, we will combine the two together. Dealing with calculation groups in composite models. Cause there are some key-elements you have to keep in mind. Potentially this combination can lead to wrong results, if you do not understand the behavior of the remote and local engine and with that dealing with wholesale and non-wholesale queries.

During this demo-rich session I will take you on a tour through all above mentioned features and cases, and explain them one by one. So that after this session you will be able to;
- Understand and explain different types of storage modes in Power BI
- Combine DirectQuery and import storage modes in a composite model
- Successfully implement calculation groups
- Understand calculation groups in composite models and their behavior

Analytics at scale with Power BI and Azure Synapse Analytics

For Power BI solutions, we see it can be challenging to load data from APIs, or to store historical snapshots. This is where you can really benefit from the capabillities of a data platform. Also, if you already have an amazing data platform, we see it can be challenging to load all of its data into a Power BI dataset and still have a performant solution, or to refresh data in near real-time. Finally, daisy-chaining all the steps in the data flow – from source to report/dashboard – can be tricky to design, especially if you don’t want to do a full refresh of the Power BI dataset for performance reasons.

The advanced capabilties of both worlds can really complement eachother. Learn how to design and build a truly scalable solution that spans both Power BI and Azure Synapse Analytics. We will help you to get the best out of both worlds, sharing our learnings and best-practices along the way in a demo-rich session!

After the session you will be able to:
• Better design and implement complex data models, including hybrid tables, aggregations, and combined storage modes (import, DirectQuery, dual).
• Orchestrate the end-to-end data processing, with a pipeline chain from data ingest in the data lakehouse to the incremental Power BI dataset refresh.
• Use different techniques to identify performance bottlenecks in your solutions and how to solve those ("does it fold"?).
• Implement a cost-efficient solution, that still meets the scalability demands.

Application Lifecycle Management for Power BI

In Power BI we are used to create reports and dashboards really quickly, but in most cases we forget to think about governance, development and maintenance at an enterprise wide scale.
During this session I share some best practices about applying DTAP (Development, Test, Acceptance and Production), or better known as multi-tier deployment.

During this session I will tell you all about Power BI deployment pipelines and how this helps in setting up Application Lifecycle Management for Power BI content. The session will not only cover deployment pipelines in the Power BI service, but also how you can integrate them with Azure DevOps and bind to other processes.

After this session you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of Application Lifecycle Management
- Know how to setup and use Power BI Deployment Pipelines
- Integrate deployment pipelines in Azure DevOps

Data modeling 101: Understanding the basics of a good data model

What is a good data model in Power BI? How do you make sure you have the basics in place so the model you build today, will still work next year? During this session we will lift of from basic level and build up in complexity to understand the key element of a good data model! Everything presented in this session will include real-life examples and can be directly brought to practice.

After this session you will be able to:
- Explain basic dimensional modeling concepts
- Create a well working and performing data model in Power BI
- Decide when to use Power Query vs the data model
- Decide when to use Calculated columns or measures
- Handle complex situations with inactive relationships and role-playing dimensions.

Advanced data modeling with Power BI

Got the basics in place and building a decent well performing data model in Power BI is a piece of cake for you? Time to take the next step!
During this session we will build up complexity and start integrating more advanced patterns in Power BI data models, covering topics like working with aggregations, composite models and more!

After this you will be able to:
- Leverage one and bi-directional relationships
- Overcome and handle ambiguous data models
- Successfully implement aggregations
- Work with real live scenarios containing multiple fact tables

End-to-end monitoring for a successful Power BI implementation

Implementing Power BI in your organisation is more then allowing people to download Power BI desktop and publish reports to the Power BI Service. People have to be aware of what Power BI is able to achieve for them! But how do you know who is creating what? Using what? Or maybe even more important, sharing (confidential) information with others?

With a Power BI end-to-end monitor you will be able to monitor all Power BI content allover your tenant. These actionable insights will help you to see who needs some extra help, but also in governing your data solutions within your organisation.

In this session I will show you which insights you will get with an end-to-end monitor and how you can monitor your own Power BI environment.

In this session:
- Logic Apps
- Azure Monitor / Azure Log Analytics
- API Registrations and API Connections
- Power BI REST API
- Power BI

This session includes some Azure components to collect data. Session is useful for people working at/for larger organisations.

External tools for Power BI, how to create them!

Power BI offers an add-in to work with 3rd party external tools like Tabular Editor, DAX Studio and ALM toolkit. The fact that you can use a tool of your own preference is already really cool! But did you know that you can build external tools yourself pretty easy? Even as a non-developer like I am, you can build an External Tool for Power BI!

After this session you:
- Know different External Tools for Power BI, and how you could use them
- Understand what is needed to build your own External Tool
- Know where to get started building your own External Tool

Power BI offers an add-in to work with 3rd party external tools like Tabular Editor, DAX Studio and ALM toolkit. The fact that you can use a tool of your own preference is already really cool! But did you know that you can build external tools yourself pretty easy? Even as a non-developer like I am, you can build an External Tool for Power BI!

After this session you:
- Know different External Tools for Power BI, and how you could use them
- Understand what is needed to build your own External Tool
- Know where to get started building your own External Tool

Overcoming the Fear: Exploring Microsoft Fabric from a Power BI Angle

Discover the potential of Microsoft Fabric as it connects Power BI and Data Engineering, merging these domains into a unified landscape. This groundbreaking development may ignite your curiosity to explore new frontiers, even though the unfamiliar elements and tasks might seem daunting. Are you unsure about learning new skills such as Python, data integration pipelines, and Spark notebooks? Perhaps the thought of these technologies and coding languages is a bit intimidating because you've never used them before?

If you find yourself nodding along, then this session is perfect for you! Join us as we explore Microsoft Fabric from a Power BI perspective. We'll dive into the familiar components we already love, discussing the complete process from ingesting data to serving it to your end users. And the best part? Together, we'll build a solution using the full capabilities of Microsoft Fabric.

By the end of this session, you'll feel confident and ready to create your own solutions with Microsoft Fabric. It opens up exciting possibilities to expand your skills and venture into the fascinating world of data from various angles.

Discover the potential of Microsoft Fabric, bridging Power BI and Data Engineering for a unified landscape. Overcome initial apprehension about new technologies and coding languages, as this session provides a beginner-friendly exploration. From data ingestion to serving end users, we'll navigate familiar components and build a solution together, unlocking exciting possibilities and boosting your confidence in Microsoft Fabric.