Data analysts love to produce engaging reports that generate end user collaboration. To drive solution adoption, data teams may need to meet users where they’re at in sharing reporting. Microsoft Power BI not only enables data analysts to build compelling visualizations to drive data storytelling, but it also offers flexibility in accessing content either through the Power BI service or embedding content directly into an organization’s own web application. For instance, embedding allows government organizations, nonprofits, or higher education institutions to share their data insights alongside related information all on one page for external users to consume. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the capabilities, approaches, and best practices for embedding content with Power BI Embedded Analytics.
Data to Drive Youth Progress
Nonprofits need to analyze data to make informed investment decisions, monitor progress, and help generate further engagement with donors. A Midwest nonprofit looking for data-driven ways to fight poverty partnered with Avaap to invest in bold ideas that create opportunities for their youth. As a nonprofit technology partner, Avaap has helped this nonprofits data team leverage Snowflake for data ingestion and transformation combined with Power BI reporting seamlessly embedded within their website. Here, users can easily learn about their mission and access their dashboard as a hub for the latest insights, knowledge, and news on what helps youth escape poverty. Then, they can toggle over to learn more about how to get involved and take action to join the movement. This solution arms this organization, its partners, and the broader community with the evidence they need to monitor progress and enhance collaboration.
Choosing the Right Embedded Analytics Solution
Power BI offers both simple no-code embedded analytics solutions, as well as more advanced options for software developers. The two primary considerations in selecting the appropriate solution to meet your needs are: data security and design flexibility. A governmental agency seeking to publish reporting online for public access may use the built-in publish to web functionality in the Power BI service online to easily render content through an iFrame with just a few clicks.
A retailer looking to render content on its intranet or SharePoint site only for users with access administered through the Power BI workspace may choose the secure embed solution.
A nonprofit organization looking to deliver a compelling report experience alongside additional information via a customized web application bypassing Power BI sign-in credentials may employ an embed for customers solution.
Embedding Power BI for Customers: A High-Level Architecture Overview
Embedding Power BI content into a web application can significantly enhance the user experience by providing interactive and insightful reports. Here’s a high-level overview of the architecture involved in this process:
- User Access: End users access the content through the web application.
- Access Management: Microsoft Entra ID handles access management, taking care of both authentication and authorization.
- Service Principal Creation: A service principal is created using the app registration. This service principal authenticates the organization's web app via Entra ID.
- Access Token Request: The web app uses the service principal credentials to request an access token from Entra ID.
- Security Group Management: The service principal is added to a security group, which is used to manage access permissions effectively.
- Permission Granting: The security group is granted the necessary permissions in the Fabric tenant settings to utilize the Power BI REST API.
- Content Rendering: The Power BI content, residing in a premium capacity, communicates back through the API to render reports in the web application.
This architecture ensures secure and efficient access to Power BI content, providing end users with seamless and interactive reporting capabilities.
Embedding for Success
The embed for customers solution requires more thoughtful planning and prerequisites to implementation, but it offers much greater flexibility in delivery compared to the limitations associated with publish to web. As always in report development, it’s important to know your audience. Accessibility is especially important when seeking to engage the public. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines is a handy reference for creating content that can be perceivable by all users. With the right vision and implementation, public-facing reports help to promote transparency & engagement in the organization’s mission.
Are you or your agency thinking of providing exceptional customer-facing reports, dashboards, and analytics in your own apps by using and branding Power BI as your own? Avaap can tailor an implementation plan that is aligned with your organization’s data strategy. Avaap's highly skilled professionals are experienced in partnering to deliver compelling data experiences for your end users. Contact our team to learn more!