Is Power BI part of Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft Power BI are two separate Microsoft applications, each with their own licensing, but they are designed to work closely together to deliver powerful analytics for your business data.
Business Central is a comprehensive ERP solution that manages your core business processes such as finance, sales, purchasing, and operations. This is where your organisation’s vital business data is captured and maintained.
Power BI is Microsoft’s leading business analytics tool. It enables users to visualise, analyse, and share insights from their data through interactive dashboards and reports.
How they work together:
- Seamless Integration: Power BI integrates naturally with Business Central, allowing you to connect directly to your ERP data and surface it through rich, interactive visualisations. This integration lets you embed Power BI reports and dashboards directly within the Business Central user interface so users can access insights without leaving the ERP system.
- Enhanced Reporting: Out-of-the-box Power BI reports are available for Business Central, and you can also create custom reports tailored to your specific needs. This empowers organisations to move beyond static spreadsheets and gain real-time, actionable insights.
- Data-Driven Decisions: By leveraging Power BI’s analytics capabilities on top of Business Central’s data, organisations can spot trends, monitor KPIs, and make more informed decisions to drive business performance.
Licensing and Application Relationship:
- Separate Licensing: Power BI is not included as part of the Business Central licence. While Business Central provides the option to embed Power BI content, users must have a separate Power BI licence (either free or Pro, depending on the features required).
- Distinct Applications: Although closely connected, Business Central and Power BI are distinct products. Business Central is your ERP system, the source of your business data, while Power BI is the tool that brings that data to life through analytics and visualisation.