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When it comes to managing and analyzing your data, staying agile and collaborative is essential. One key enabler for this agility is the ability to write back directly to your data models from within Power BI.
Acterys takes this functionality to the next level by allowing users to seamlessly input, update, and manage data in real-time — all while working directly in their Power BI dashboards.
Here’s how Acterys transforms Power BI into a powerful write-back platform:
Getting Started: Easy Integration with Acterys Add-ons
Acterys integrates effortlessly with Power BI using specialized tools like Power BI Sync, Acterys Power BI Premium Visuals, and Acterys Power BI Reporting Visuals, available on the Power BI Marketplace. These tools enable you to set up a dynamic feedback loop for data updates while keeping all the features you love about Power BI.
How It Works:
- Install the Acterys visuals in Power BI.
- Set up your Acterys model, which connects seamlessly to your existing data sources like ERP systems, CRM platforms, or custom databases.
- Your integrated Acterys model becomes the backbone for writing back to your database.
Unlocking Power BI Write-Back Features with Acterys
Acterys visuals are designed with intuitive interfaces that allow users to modify data directly within their reports. Whether you’re adjusting forecasts, adding comments, or updating records, these changes are instantly saved to the underlying database.
Key Write-Back Features:
- Real-time Data Input: Edit numbers, add comments, or enrich records directly within Power BI.
- User-friendly Controls: Interact with data through familiar Power BI visuals without needing additional tools.
- Automatic Updates: Synchronize Power BI and your data warehouse, including SQL Server, Synapse, and Snowflake.
- Data Governance: Use role-based access controls, version tracking, and audit trails to ensure data integrity while maintaining transparency.
- AI-Readiness: Prepare data for accurate AI insights and functions ensuring users have accurate, high-quality data for AI-based recommendations and insights. Leverage AI-driven analytics, through Python, R, and other AI tools, to automate forecasting, anomaly detection, and predictive analytics directly within Power BI.
Real-time Synchronization for Greater Accuracy
Once changes are made in Power BI, Acterys syncs the updates back to the connected database — whether that’s Azure SQL or another supported platform. This real-time synchronization ensures that your reports and dashboards always display the most up-to-date information.
The Benefits:
- Immediate updates across all dashboards.
- Data consistency and integrity maintained automatically.
- Approval workflows to validate changes and maintain a clear audit trail.
Advanced Applications for Business Planning
Acterys write-back capabilities shine in complex business scenarios. Here are a few examples:
- Scenario Planning: Create, modify, and save various planning scenarios directly within Power BI, helping your team assess multiple outcomes.
- Budgeting and Forecasting: Empower end-users to input budget numbers and adjust forecasts directly into the system without leaving the Power BI environment.
- Data Enrichment: Add valuable context to your data by incorporating comments, tags, or additional metadata — all from within Power BI.
Secure and Compliant Data Management
Acterys ensures your data remains secure and compliant throughout the write-back process. With robust user-level permissions, only authorized personnel can access and modify specific data fields, safeguarding sensitive information.
Why It Matters:
- Compliance with organizational data governance policies.
- Role-based permissions to control access.
- Audit trails that help determine who changed what and when.
How Acterys Stacks Up to Power Apps and Other Write-Back Tools
Compare Acterys against Power Apps and other solutions in the table below:
Feature | Acterys | Power Apps | Other Write-Back Tools |
Getting Started |
|
|
|
Initiation | Cloud based self-service sign on/ billing | Download of an App or web service | Manual purchase from vendor (no self-service checkout) |
Back end |
|
|
|
Automatically generating optimal data warehouse structures | ✓ | × | × |
Processing write back/model changes in memory | ✓ | × | × |
Connectors to cloud-based accounting systems and SaaS | ✓ | × | × |
Audit trail and edit history that tracks all changes (who, what, when) for exact monitoring & control as well as simple undo. | ✓ | × | Limited |
AAD B2B support, single sign on | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
Front end |
|
|
|
Modelling |
|
| Limited to table edits, Power BI visual only |
Instant Link (Option to avoid ETL and link parts of the data model as opposed to physically moving data but still read/write enabled) | ✓ | × | × |
Planning / Write-back |
|
|
|
Data Entry on Pivot Tables and Power BI visual | ✓ | × | ✓ |
“Splashing”/data entry on any level of the dimensional hierarchy | ✓ | × | ✓ |
Copy Wizard for data manipulation in Power BI & Excel | ✓ | × | ~ |
Write back on Excel report formulas in addition to Pivot Table | ✓ | × | × |
Comments | ✓ | × | ✓ |
Why Choose Acterys to Write-Back to Power BI?
By combining seamless integration with robust features, Acterys delivers unmatched functionality:
- Comprehensive Planning and Forecasting: Acterys offers both top-down and bottom-up planning approaches. It includes flexible allocation methods, allowing you to distribute values using historical patterns or custom scenarios, such as “similar to last year.”
- Streamlined Workflow Automation: Built-in workflow tools simplify approval processes and improve accountability, making it easier to manage complex business operations.
- Efficient Model Management: Acterys automates the creation and upkeep of data models, reducing manual efforts and enabling users to focus on decision-making rather than data management.
- Scalability for Enterprises: Designed to handle large-scale datasets and support concurrent users, Acterys ensures secure, real-time access to data, making it ideal for enterprise environments.
Additionally, Acterys integrates advanced modeling and forecasting tools, such as Python and R, directly into your Power BI ecosystem. This capability allows businesses to perform sophisticated analyses and simplifies even the most complex workflows, ensuring data is updated efficiently and securely.
Get Started Writing Back to Power BI with Acterys
By integrating write-back functionality into Power BI, Acterys turns static dashboards into interactive and collaborative decision-making tools. From real-time planning and forecasting to scenario management and data enrichment, Acterys empowers businesses to bridge the gap between analytics and action.
Ready to take your Power BI experience to the next level? Request a demo to discover the power of Acterys write-back capabilities and transform how your team collaborates and strategizes.
