With the right approach, Power BI can be expanded into an extremely powerful platform for planning, budgeting and forecasting. The approach described here is based on a central data model in SQL Server either in the cloud with Azure SQL Server or on-premise with a normal SQL Server database.

The plan entries are saved in this database and linked to the relevant data sources for actual data. The example shown here uses the Acterys platform to manage the integrated planning process. Acterys is an end-to-end platform for Corporate Performance Management (CPM) and Financial Planning & Analytics (FP&A) that is integrated with Microsoft Azure, Power BI and Excel.

In minutes, users can automatically create a data warehouse optimized for analysis and planning with fully automatic connectors to a variety of ERP / accounting / SaaS solutions based on market-leading Microsoft technologies (Azure & On-Premise).

In conjunction with this data platform, Acterys enables comprehensive real-time planning functions and data modeling. The process is supported by a large number of proven templates for corporate planning, integrated planning, consolidation, cost center planning, HR, CAPEX, cash flow forecast and others. External consultants and overpriced license costs for special applications are a thing of the past. The solution is seamlessly integrated into the entire Microsoft Power Platform and Excel: from the most modern analysis platform Power BI, Microsoft Teams to the easiest to define workflow management solutions in Power Automate.

Benefits

• Data warehouse, analysis and planning process run on the same platform.
• There is no need to move data between different databases
• The planning process is integrated directly into the market-leading analysis platform Power BI
• User rights are only defined once – in most cases they already exist with your existing Active Directory architecture.
• Both the requirements of the central IT with regard to “governance” and user flexibility are guaranteed: the business user can adjust details as required and is not dependent on IT experts.

How it works:

Planning with Power BI in a few steps

1. Register and start the free Acterys test version with an expert at your side After registration you can either: work with one of the ready-made templates for various source systems (Dynamics, HubSpot, NetSuite, QuickBooks, Salesforce, Xero, etc.):

or start a completely new model with with either Acterys Power BI Sync or Acterys Instant Link functionality. Instant Link allows you to use the necessary details for the planning process for almost any source without the typically complex ETL development work:

Edit and create existing or create new data model as necessary:

Use ready-made (fully customizable) templates:

Here you can start your test version. Our chat team is of course available 24/7.