Power bi Connecting to SSAS

Swapnil 216 Reputation points
2020-09-14T15:01:23.84+00:00

Hi Experts,

We have set of Business Object reports based out of universes, now we are planning to move these reports to Power BI.

The users creates reports on Ad hoc basis based out of universes here.

Now we have decided to change all this setup to Power BI, I know we can do Power Bi reports design, but have few questions below:

What is the effective way to replicate universes in such model so that Users can design ad-hoc reports out of it. Here users are not SQL friendly hence we need to have Universe like model available for them to create Power BI reports.
What are the tools we need to have to have universe like models so that Users can create ad-hoc power bi reports? Can we use SSAS to design models for reports
If SSAS ,whether a Power BI report can be designed from multiple models (Like a Business Objects reportins connecting to more than 1 universes)
Can SSAS models be Semantic Layer witout storing data in it?
Appreciate the replies and suggestions here.

Thanks

SQL Server Analysis Services
SQL Server Analysis Services
A Microsoft online analytical data engine used in decision support and business analytics, providing the analytical data for business reports and client applications such as Power BI, Excel, Reporting Services reports, and other data visualization tools.
1,244 questions
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  1. Lukas Yu -MSFT 5,816 Reputation points
    2020-09-15T02:20:59.003+00:00

    Hi,

    For you business scene and requirement, although I am not familiar with Universes, I think it is a data warehouse also handles SQL database.

    SSAS is a modern data warehouse and analytic software. It can act as a Semantic Layer, you could decide where the data was saved. You could save the data in the database or in SSAS.

    It can create models for Power BI and make it very easy to make Ad-hoc reports. Power BI with SSAS is mean to have all the report process easy but still powerful.
    You could have a view for SSAS with Power BI in this short video : MicroNugget: How to Connect SSAS to Power BI
    SSAS has so many features we could not write only in a short post.
    You could have more details by browsing :Analysis Services documentation

    Hope this helps.
    Lukas

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  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2020-09-14T15:19:30.87+00:00

    I'd probably ask this one in Power Bi community.
    https://community.powerbi.com/

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

  2. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2020-09-14T15:57:18.837+00:00

    Something here may help.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-ssas-multidimensional

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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  3. Lukas Yu -MSFT 5,816 Reputation points
    2020-09-16T02:26:05.043+00:00

    Hi,
    You are using On-Prem SSAS right ?
    Try set the AlwaysUseGateway to false in SSAS Tabular Server Property :
    25032-image.png

    Also, depends on your using scenario, you could consider to install Data gateway on your server . For that you could read : Do I need an on-premises data gateway?

    Regards.
    Lukas

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  4. Lukas Yu -MSFT 5,816 Reputation points
    2020-09-17T06:14:44.743+00:00

    Hi,
    Seems your new issue is related to Azure Analysis Service and DataGateWay connecting to Oracle database.
    Based on the error info you could take a look at :
    ORA-12154: TNS could not resolve service name tips
    ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve the connect identifier specified

    To be honest, I am not professional in either area. Since your original issue is resolved could you kind help to mark the helpful post as answer.

    And you could raise you question in a new ticket and with Azure Analysis Service tag, so azure experts could see that question and offer useful suggestions.

    Thanks for you understanding.
    Regards,
    Lukas

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