Big data and the process of turning raw information into meaningful reporting and visualization has seen huge growth by companies focused on data driven decision making. Many of my enterprise accounts have shown a specific interest on how to better use data for making business decisions based on historical, real-time and predictive analytics. There are seemingly endless application options to consider for helping to process and organize data through statistical modeling, so I included a couple charts below that I thought would help.

A product positioning visual is provided by the 2017 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Business Intelligence and Analytics Platforms report.  The top 3 leaders for the ability to execute and completeness of vision are clearly Microsoft Power BI, Tableau and QlikView. According to an attribute comparison from SelectHub of the top 3 data analytics and visualization tools, each have certain strengths in functionality. However, Power BI pulls ahead due to its decision services and ability to integrate well with other system and data sources.

Microsoft's solution for creating a self-service business intelligence (BI) tool has some additional benefits to consider:

• In its basic software format, Power BI Desktop is available at no cost!
• Power BI Pro starts at $9.99 per user per month, while Tableau Explorer starts at $35 and QlikView starts at $15.
• Easy integration with existing applications and Microsoft Azure.
• Ability to connect to hundreds of data sources on-premises and in the cloud, all in one view.
• Using Power BI in the cloud minimizes the need for on-premise infrastructure resources.
• Customizable live dashboards and BI reports can be embedded in your website or other applications such as SharePoint or Excel.

Join our LRS Education Services training events to build core knowledge and skills that are required to obtain self-service decision making data in one of three Microsoft Power BI formats. It is recommended that all attendees have extensive knowledge in Excel functionality, such as formulas, PivotTables, charts, filtering, sorting and sub-totals. If additional Excel skills are required, click on the link to see course options.

1. Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC): The following two technical courses tie into the MCSA BI Reporting certification from Microsoft. Students must pass both the 70-778 and 70-779 exams. LRS Education offers a FREE Microsoft exam voucher when you enroll in any Microsoft Official Curriculum course!
   • MS-20779 - Analyzing Data with Excel
     • October 8-10, Instructor-Led Training
     • December 18-20, Instructor-Led Training
   • MS-20778 - Analyzing Data with Power BI
     • August 26-28, guaranteed to run Instructor-Led Training
     • September 4-6, Instructor-Led Training
     • October 1-3, Instructor-Led Training
     • November 5-7, Instructor-Led Training
   • For the MOC classes above, students have the option
     
     • Instructor-Led Training (ILT) – These are live instructor-led classes that can be attended from any location: work, home or one of our LRS Education training facilities in Springfield or Bloomington IL. The instructor will be teaching the content from a remote location but is able to interact and assist with labs for all attendees.  Students use our online video and audio feeds to connect and interact with both the instructor as well as other in-class students. For a video on how our Virtual Training option works, click on the link.
     • 24/7 Access - For students who are not able to join the live classroom hours, we have the Microsoft On-Demand Do you need more flexible training hours or dates than what a traditional ILT class will allow for? Microsoft offers expert training videos that teach the Microsoft Official Curriculum with access to live, Microsoft Official hands-on labs. The videos and labs are available 24/7 so you can train on YOUR schedule. Students will have 90 days to complete their training course and will be provided with our LRS Education Services extras: Students will have access to instructor support for questions on lecture and labs during class, free Microsoft Official digital courseware that won’t expire after the 90 day lecture/lab period, and an invitation to join our Technology Community Hub hosted on Facebook where you can ask questions and have conversations with instructors and other community members.
2. Power BI using Excel 2016 (locally installed): These classes are designed for Power BI end-users, everyone from non-technical users to Analysts to IT Administrators.
   • Data Analysis using Excel 2016 - Level 1 - Report Builders
   • Power BI Tools in Excel 2016 - Level 2
   • Data Model Design using Excel 2016 - Level 3
   • Introduction to DAX for Excel 2016 Users - Level 4
3. Power BI using Excel 2016 (locally installed): These classes are designed for Power BI end-users, everyone from non-technical users to Analysts to IT Administrators.
   • Data Analysis using Excel 2016 - Level 1 - Report Builders
   • Power BI Tools in Excel 2016 - Level 2
   • Data Model Design using Excel 2016 - Level 3
   • Introduction to DAX for Excel 2016 Users - Level 4

The above courses for options 2 and 3 are offered through a virtual instructor-led class setting and can be attended remotely from any location. Please contact me for available dates.

Click here for a list of all of our Guaranteed to Run Courses, or to search our Online Course Catalog.

Feel free to call or email me for more information!

Christopher Becher
Education Consultant
P 309.664.7670 ext. 6302
F 309.662.7282
E christopher.becher@lrs.com
LRS Education Services