Microsoft BI & Analytics
In this piece we present a concise overview of our recently updated, independent BI & Analytics study of the software vendor Microsoft and its product portfolio (such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI). Microsoft BI & Analytics comes out on top in our research. Microsoft is vigorous in artificial intelligence and the least strong in decision management. Within the context of BI & Analytics, we have put together the main advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Business Intelligence, and arranged them by topic (business intelligence, big data, artificial intelligence and data science). We also point out the distinguishing features of the most popular products such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI et cetera.
- 100% independent information
- Microsoft scored on 1,000+ criteria
- Used in over 100 countries
- Insight into Microsoft's qualities
Enrich your knowledge on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI
How does Microsoft BI & Analytics score on certain components?
Figure 1: The pros and cons of the software vendor Microsoft BI & Analytics. The best supplier on a particular topic gets a maximum of 100 percent. Source: the BI & Analytics Guide 2023. Do you want additional information about our research design? Click here to download this guide.
In our independent study we also judged the various tools of Microsoft BI & Analytics software. We examined no less than 710 aspects. The image to the right illustrates the pros and cons of Microsoft Business Intelligence. Please note that Passionned Group is 100% independent of the suppliers in our guide. We do not sell licenses, we do not make deals or having any legal ties to the vendor. Among other things, we help and advise companies in the proper selection of BI tooling.
The Microsoft analysis was conducted by collecting large amounts of publicly accessible data and from there it was thoroughly analyzed. More than 8,783 documents were analyzed for this vendor. In this analysis process both algorithms and the critical eye of a senior BI expert had a crucial role in drawing conclusions.
In our 100% vendor-independent BI & Analytics Guide we have collected all the ins and outs of Microsoft BI & Analytics for you. You get access to hundreds of (shorter) trainings, tech talks, lectures, demos, tutorials, and so on and always have the latest BI & AI news. In addition, this guide helps you in reinforcing your knowledge about BI & Analytics. Download now.
Microsoft and their complete BI & Analytics product portfolio
The company Microsoft knows (a minimum of) 39 products in the realm of BI & Analytics. In order of relevance we rank and describe the products below:
What is Microsoft Business Intelligence?
Under this heading, we report the (main) characteristics of Microsoft Business Intelligence, including some of its features and any related products. This product group consists of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, Power BI, Microsoft Power Query, Microsoft AI, Microsoft Machine Learning, Microsoft R Server, Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics, Microsoft Data Platform and Microsoft Flow Analytics. This product / group of products can be best defined by the following characteristics:
- business intelligence > reporting
- data governance > data management > SQL
- analytics
- artificial intelligence
- data discovery > analysis
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- data connectivity > Sharepoint
- business intelligence > dashboards
- data integration > data warehouse
Are you curious about all characteristics (100+) of Microsoft Business Intelligence? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
Are you considering hiring a knowledgeable Microsoft Business Intelligence specialist?
Are you considering hiring an external consultant specialized in Microsoft Business Intelligence who can do a mountain of work for you and implement an Microsoft Business Intelligence application? Or do you want to develop an application for one of the related products like Power BI, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, SSAS, Microsoft AI, Power BI Desktop, Power BI Report Server, SQL Server Reporting Services, Azure Synapse Analytics and SSIS? Our specialists are happy to assist you. Indeed, hiring Microsoft Business Intelligence developers is sometimes unnecessary and costly. Leave a message here and we will be happy to work for you.
What is Microsoft Azure?
Other names by which this software product is known: Azure
Under this heading, we describe Microsoft Azure, including some of its features and any related products. This product group consists of Azure Databricks, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Stream Analytics, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Data Lake, Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Studio, Azure IoT Hub, Azure Storage Explorer, Azure Data Warehouse, Databricks Delta Lake and Azure Advanced Analytics. This product / group of products can be best defined by the following functionalities:
- BI infrastructure > scalability > cloud services
- data governance > data management > SQL
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- artificial intelligence
- business intelligence
- BI infrastructure > scalability > cloud computing
- BI infrastructure > infrastructure
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- BI infrastructure > authentication > active directory > Azure Active Directory
- BI infrastructure > authentication > active directory
Are you now curious about all properties (100+) of Microsoft Azure? In that case open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Databricks?
Other names by which this software product is known: Databricks
In this section, we provide a description of Azure Databricks, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be best characterized by the following features:
- analytics
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data connectivity > Hadoop Spark
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- artificial intelligence > data science
- analytics > analytics platform
- artificial intelligence > Python
- data connectivity > Spark > Apache Spark
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface > REST APIs
Do you want to know the intricacies of all characteristics (100+) of Azure Databricks? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Synapse Analytics?
Other names by which this software product is known: Azure SQL Data Warehouse
In this paragraph, we report the (main) characteristics of Azure Synapse Analytics, including some of its features and any related products. This product can be defined by the following features:
- analytics
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data integration > data warehousing
- data connectivity > Hadoop Spark
- big data
- data integration > data warehouse
- enterprise data warehousing
- data connectivity > Spark > Apache Spark
- artificial intelligence > R
- BI infrastructure > high availability > serverless
Do you want to know everything about all elements (100+) of Azure Synapse Analytics? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Stream Analytics?
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we provide a description of Azure Stream Analytics, including some of its features and any related products. Azure Stream Analytics can be best characterized by the following features:
- analytics
- stream analytics
- big data > IoT
- real-time analytics > real-time
- big data > streaming
- data governance > data management > SQL
- big data > streaming > streaming data
- big data > streaming > stream processing
- real-time analytics
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
Are you now curious about all the functionalities (100+) of Azure Stream Analytics? Download the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Machine Learning?
In this paragraph, we provide a description of Azure Machine Learning, including some of its features and any related products. This product group consists of Azure Machine Learning Studio. The product Azure Machine Learning can be best characterized by the following characteristics:
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning models
- BI infrastructure > SDK
- artificial intelligence > Python
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > automated machine learning
- artificial intelligence
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- BI infrastructure > open source
- artificial intelligence > algorithms
- analytics
Are you curious about all the functionalities (100+) of Azure Machine Learning? Then order the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Machine Learning Studio?
In this paragraph, we provide a description of Azure Machine Learning Studio, including some of its features and any related products. The Azure Machine Learning Studio can be best characterized by the following functionalities:
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- BI infrastructure > SDK
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > automated machine learning
- artificial intelligence > Python
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning models
- artificial intelligence > R
- artificial intelligence > cognitive services
- artificial intelligence > data science
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- artificial intelligence > algorithms
Are you now curious about all properties (100+) of Azure Machine Learning Studio? Open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Data Lake?
In this paragraph, we provide a description of Azure Data Lake, including some of its features and any related products. This product can be best characterized by the following properties:
- big data > data lakes
- analytics
- big data > data lakes > data lake analytics
- big data > Blob storage
- data governance > data management > SQL
- big data > big data analytics
- data connectivity > Hadoop Distributed File System
- BI infrastructure > scalability
- BI infrastructure > authentication
Do you want to know the intricacies of all features (100+) of Azure Data Lake? In that case order the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Cognitive Services?
In this paragraph, we describe the key elements of Azure Cognitive Services, including some of its features and any related products. This product can be characterized by the following characteristics:
- artificial intelligence > cognitive services
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- artificial intelligence
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface > REST APIs
- big data
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- artificial intelligence > data science
- analytics
- artificial intelligence > computer vision
- data discovery > analysis
Do you want to know the intricacies of all the functions (100+) of Azure Cognitive Services? Download the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Data Factory?
We do not display here all the features but, in this paragraph, we display the details of Azure Data Factory, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be characterized by the following properties:
- data integration
- analytics
- data connectivity > JSON
- data integration > data warehousing
- BI infrastructure > high availability > serverless
- big data > data lakes
- big data > Blob storage
- data governance > data management > data transformations
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data integration > data warehouse
Are you now curious about all elements (100+) of Azure Data Factory? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Data Studio?
In this part, we describe Azure Data Studio, including some of its features and any related products. The Azure Data Studio can be characterized by the following functionalities:
- data governance > data management > SQL
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- data governance > data management > SQL > SQL database
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Linux
- business intelligence > dashboards
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- data connectivity > Hadoop Spark
- artificial intelligence > Python
- data connectivity > PostgreSQL
- analytics
Do you want to know the intricacies of all the functions (100+) of Azure Data Studio? Then order the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure IoT Hub?
In this section, we report the (main) characteristics of Azure IoT Hub, including some of its features and any related products. The Azure IoT Hub can be best characterized by the following functionalities:
- big data > IoT
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > iOS
- BI infrastructure > authentication
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- BI infrastructure > SDK
- business intelligence
- BI infrastructure > high availability
- data connectivity > connectivity
- analytics
- big data > sensors
Are you curious about all characteristics (100+) of Azure IoT Hub? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Storage Explorer?
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we describe the key elements of Azure Storage Explorer, including some of its features and any related products. Azure Storage Explorer can be best characterized by the following functionalities:
- big data > data lakes
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- big data > Blob storage
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Linux
- BI infrastructure > authentication
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface > REST APIs
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data connectivity > Cosmos DB
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
Are you now curious about all features (100+) of Azure Storage Explorer? In that case open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Data Warehouse?
We do not display here all the features but, in this paragraph, we describe the key elements of Azure Data Warehouse, including some of its features and any related products. The Azure Data Warehouse can be characterized by the following features:
- data integration > data warehouse
- analytics
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data integration > data warehousing > SQL data warehouses
- big data > big data analytics
- business intelligence
- data connectivity > Microsoft Dynamics 365
- business intelligence > reporting
Are you now curious about all characteristics (100+) of Azure Data Warehouse? In that case open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Databricks Delta Lake?
We do not display here all the features but, in this paragraph, we provide a description of Databricks Delta Lake, including some of its features and any related products. Databricks Delta Lake can be best characterized by the following features:
- data connectivity > Hadoop Spark
- data governance > data management > SQL
- big data > data lakes
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- data connectivity > Spark > Apache Spark
- business intelligence
- performance optimization > caching
- big data > streaming
- BI infrastructure > open source
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
Are you now curious about all elements (100+) of Databricks Delta Lake? Open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Azure Advanced Analytics?
In this paragraph, we report the (main) characteristics of Azure Advanced Analytics, including some of its features and any related products. Azure Advanced Analytics can be best defined by the following properties:
- analytics
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- analytics > advanced analytics
- artificial intelligence
- big data
- business intelligence
- data discovery > analysis
- stream analytics
- real-time analytics > real-time
- data discovery > time series
Are you curious about all elements (100+) of Azure Advanced Analytics? In that case open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft SQL Server?
Other names by which this software product is known: SQL Server
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we report the (main) characteristics of Microsoft SQL Server, including some of its features and any related products. This product group consists of SSAS, SSIS, SQL Server Reporting Services, SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Server Machine Learning and SQL Server Data Mining. The Microsoft SQL Server can be characterized by the following features:
- data governance > data management > SQL
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- data connectivity > JSON
- business intelligence > reporting
- data governance > data management > SQL > SQL database
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Linux
- data connectivity > JSON > JSON data
- analytics
- data connectivity > JDBC connectivity
- business intelligence
Are you now curious about all the functions (100+) of Microsoft SQL Server? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is SSAS?
Other names by which this software product is known: SQL Server Analysis Services, Analysis Services, Microsoft Analysis Services
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we display the details of SSAS, including some of its features and any related products. This product can be characterized by the following features:
- data discovery > analysis
- data governance > data management > SQL
- business intelligence
- data discovery > analysis > Azure Analysis Services
- business intelligence > reporting
- multidimensional models > cube
- multidimensional models
- artificial intelligence > data mining
- decision management > performance management > KPI
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
Do you want to know everything about all elements (100+) of SSAS? Open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is SSIS?
Other names by which this software product is known: SQL Server Integration Services
In this part, we report the (main) characteristics of SSIS, including some of its features and any related products. The SSIS can be best characterized by the following properties:
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- data integration > Extract-Transform-Load
- BI infrastructure > authentication
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Linux
- data governance > data catalog
- data integration > data warehousing
- data governance > data management > data transformations
- analytics
- data connectivity > HDInsight
Do you want to know everything about all the functionalities (100+) of SSIS? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is SQL Server Reporting Services?
Other names by which this software product is known: SSRS
Under this heading, we display the details of SQL Server Reporting Services, including some of its features and any related products. The product SQL Server Reporting Services can be best characterized by the following functionalities:
- business intelligence > reporting
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data connectivity > Sharepoint
- data connectivity > native
- business intelligence > reporting > paginated reports
- BI infrastructure > authentication
- big data
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- BI infrastructure > high availability
Are you now curious about all the functions (100+) of SQL Server Reporting Services? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is SQL Server Management Studio?
In this part, we display the details of SQL Server Management Studio, including some of its features and any related products. The SQL Server Management Studio can be best characterized by the following functionalities:
- data governance > data management > SQL > SQL database
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- analytics
- BI infrastructure > authentication
- data discovery > analysis
- big data
- data connectivity > XML
- data connectivity > Hadoop Distributed File System
- BI infrastructure > open source
Are you curious about all characteristics (100+) of SQL Server Management Studio? Then order the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is SQL Server Machine Learning?
In this part, we report the (main) characteristics of SQL Server Machine Learning, including some of its features and any related products. SQL Server Machine Learning can be defined by the following functionalities:
- data governance > data management > SQL
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- artificial intelligence > R
- artificial intelligence > Python
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning server
- big data
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- analytics
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning models
- artificial intelligence > data science
Are you now curious about all characteristics (100+) of SQL Server Machine Learning? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is SQL Server Data Mining?
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we describe the key elements of SQL Server Data Mining, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be best defined by the following functionalities:
- artificial intelligence > data mining
- data governance > data management > SQL
- data discovery > analysis
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- artificial intelligence > algorithms
- data connectivity > Microsoft Office
- business intelligence > reporting
- data discovery > time series
- analytics
- multidimensional models > OLAP
Are you curious about all features (100+) of SQL Server Data Mining? Download the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Power BI?
Other names by which this software product is known: Microsoft Power BI, PowerBI
We do not display here all the features but, in this paragraph, we report the (main) characteristics of Power BI, including some of its features and any related products. This product group consists of Power BI Desktop, Power BI Report Server, Power BI Premium, Power BI Report Builder, Microsoft Power BI Pro and Microsoft Power BI Enterprise. The Power BI can be best characterized by the following properties:
- business intelligence > reporting
- analytics
- business intelligence > dashboards
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- data discovery > data visualization
- data connectivity > Microsoft 365
- business intelligence > reporting > interactive reports
- BI infrastructure > embedded analytics
- data discovery > analysis
Are you curious about all characteristics (100+) of Power BI? Download the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Power BI Desktop?
Other names by which this software product is known: Microsoft Power BI Desktop
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we describe Power BI Desktop, including some of its features and any related products. This product can be characterized by the following properties:
- business intelligence > reporting
- artificial intelligence > R
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- business intelligence > reporting > interactive reports
- data discovery > data visualization
- data discovery > analysis
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- business intelligence > dashboards
- analytics
Are you curious about all the functions (100+) of Power BI Desktop? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Power BI Report Server?
In this section, we report the (main) characteristics of Power BI Report Server, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be best characterized by the following functionalities:
- business intelligence > reporting
- business intelligence > reporting > paginated reports
- data governance > data management > SQL
- decision management > performance management > KPI
- business intelligence > dashboards
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- BI infrastructure > authentication > OAuth
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface > REST APIs
Do you want to know the intricacies of all the functions (100+) of Power BI Report Server? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Power BI Premium?
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we portrait Power BI Premium, including some of its features and any related products. Power BI Premium can be best characterized by the following features:
- business intelligence > reporting
- data discovery > analysis
- business intelligence > reporting > paginated reports
- artificial intelligence
- business intelligence > dashboards
- analytics
- data discovery > analysis > Azure Analysis Services
- artificial intelligence > R
- data connectivity > Microsoft 365
Are you now curious about all characteristics (100+) of Power BI Premium? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Power BI Report Builder?
Under this heading, we provide a description of Power BI Report Builder, including some of its features and any related products. The product Power BI Report Builder can be characterized by the following functionalities:
- business intelligence > reporting
- business intelligence > reporting > paginated reports
- data governance > data management > SQL
- business intelligence > dashboards
- data connectivity > ODBC
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- data connectivity > connectivity
- BI infrastructure > authentication
- data connectivity > Microsoft 365
Are you curious about all the functionalities (100+) of Power BI Report Builder? Then order the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Power BI Pro?
Other names by which this software product is known: Power BI Pro
In this paragraph, we report the (main) characteristics of Microsoft Power BI Pro, including some of its features and any related products. The product Microsoft Power BI Pro can be defined by the following functionalities:
- business intelligence > reporting
- data connectivity > Microsoft 365
- business intelligence > dashboards
- analytics
- data discovery > analysis
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- data discovery > data visualization
- business intelligence > reporting > interactive reports
- data governance > data management > SQL
Are you curious about all characteristics (100+) of Microsoft Power BI Pro? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Power BI Enterprise?
We don’t reveal everything here but, in this paragraph, we give you insight in the key behaviors of Microsoft Power BI Enterprise, including some of its features and any related products. Microsoft Power BI Enterprise can be best characterized by the following features:
- business intelligence
- data connectivity > on-premises data gateway
- business intelligence > reporting
- business intelligence > dashboards
- BI infrastructure > Application Programming Interface
- analytics
- data connectivity > Microsoft 365
- data connectivity > Microsoft Dynamics 365
- BI infrastructure > scalability > cloud services
- data governance
Are you curious about all features (100+) of Microsoft Power BI Enterprise? Then order the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Power Query?
Other names by which this software product is known: Power Query
We do not display here all the features but, in this paragraph, we provide a description of Microsoft Power Query, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be best defined by the following functionalities:
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- business intelligence
- data connectivity > JSON
- data governance > data management > data preparation
- data connectivity
- data governance > data quality > data profiling
- data discovery > analysis
- data connectivity > Amazon Athena
- artificial intelligence > R
- data discovery
Do you want to know the intricacies of all the functionalities (100+) of Microsoft Power Query? In that case open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft AI?
Other names by which this software product is known: Microsoft Artificial Intelligence
In this paragraph, we display the details of Microsoft AI, including some of its features and any related products. This product group consists of Microsoft AI Platform. The product Microsoft AI can be best characterized by the following features:
- artificial intelligence
- AI > responsible AI
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- artificial intelligence > natural language processing
- data connectivity > Microsoft 365
- AI > AI models
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > deep learning
- data discovery > analysis
- artificial intelligence > data science
- AI > conversational AI
Do you want to know everything about all features (100+) of Microsoft AI? Download directly our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft AI Platform?
In this part, we describe Microsoft AI Platform, including some of its features and any related products. This product can be best defined by the following functionalities:
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- artificial intelligence > data science
- analytics
- AI > responsible AI
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > deep learning
- AI > conversational AI
- AI > AI models
- BI infrastructure > infrastructure
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning models
Are you curious about all elements (100+) of Microsoft AI Platform? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Machine Learning?
In this section, we describe Microsoft Machine Learning, including some of its features and any related products. This product group consists of Microsoft Machine Learning Server. This product / group of products can be defined by the following features:
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning models
- artificial intelligence > R
- artificial intelligence > Python
- data governance > data management > SQL
- artificial intelligence > algorithms
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning server
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- BI infrastructure > open source
Do you want to know everything about all characteristics (100+) of Microsoft Machine Learning? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Machine Learning Server?
In this section, we portrait Microsoft Machine Learning Server, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be characterized by the following features:
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning server
- artificial intelligence > R
- data governance > data management > SQL
- artificial intelligence > Python
- analytics
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning models
- BI infrastructure > web services
- artificial intelligence > data science
Are you now curious about all the functionalities (100+) of Microsoft Machine Learning Server? Then download our BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft R Server?
Under this heading, we provide a description of Microsoft R Server, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be best defined by the following features:
- artificial intelligence > R
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- data governance > data management > SQL
- artificial intelligence > machine learning > machine learning server
- analytics
- artificial intelligence > data science
- artificial intelligence > Python
- BI infrastructure > open source
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
- data discovery > analysis
Are you curious about all the functionalities (100+) of Microsoft R Server? In that case open the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics?
In this paragraph, we describe Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be best characterized by the following features:
- analytics > threat analytics
- data connectivity > Microsoft 365
- business intelligence > reporting
- data discovery > notifications
- data connectivity > MongoDB
- data discovery > notifications > email notifications
- data connectivity > Microsoft Teams
- business intelligence > dashboards
- BI infrastructure > operating systems > Windows
Are you now curious about all the functionalities (100+) of Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics? Download the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Data Platform?
In this section, we give you insight in the key behaviors of Microsoft Data Platform, including some of its features and any related products. The product Microsoft Data Platform can be best defined by the following properties:
- data governance > data management > SQL
- analytics
- data connectivity > Microsoft Dynamics 365
- artificial intelligence > machine learning
- data governance > data management > SQL > SQL database
- data discovery > analysis
- artificial intelligence > data science
- data connectivity > Microsoft Dynamics
- big data
Do you want to know everything about all elements (100+) of Microsoft Data Platform? Then order the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
What is Microsoft Flow Analytics?
We do not display here all the features but, in this paragraph, we provide a description of Microsoft Flow Analytics, including some of its features and any related products. This product / group of products can be defined by the following functionalities:
- analytics > flow analytics
- business intelligence > reporting
- data connectivity > Microsoft Excel
- robotic process automation
- data connectivity > Office 365
- business intelligence > dashboards
- analytics > analytics platform
- BI infrastructure > authentication
- data discovery > notifications > email notifications
Are you curious about all the functions (100+) of Microsoft Flow Analytics? Download the BI & Analytics Guide™ 2023 here.
Innovations of Microsoft Business Intelligence-tools and the version history
Recently, we see a stable evolution when it comes to BI & Analytics functionality and support for operating systems, cloud platforms and connectivity. The latest novelties are in the areas of analytics > clinical research analytics, data discovery > analysis > canonical discriminant analysis and data discovery > analysis > portfolio analysis > portfolio risk analysis.
We reviewed Microsoft’s current releases of its complete BI & Analytics proposition. Below you can see the progression of the versions of all the ones known to us BI & Analytics products of Microsoft:
- Azure Data Studio: 1.41.2 1.41
- Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics: 1.9 1
- Microsoft Machine Learning Server: 9.4.7 9.4
- Microsoft R Server: 2016 9.1 9.0
- Microsoft SQL Server: 2022 2020 2019 2016 2014
- Power BI: December 2022 September 2022 2023 2022
- Power BI Desktop: 2.114.803.0
- Power BI Report Server: January 2023 September 2022 May 2021
- SQL Server Management Studio: 19.0.1 19 18.7 18.6 18.5 18.3 17.0 rc3 17
- SQL Server Reporting Services: 2022 2016
- SSAS: 2022 2019 2017 2016 2012
- SSIS: 2008
Behind each product we mention the version numbers, the most recent updates are listed first.
What are the licensing costs of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI?
It is difficult to determine exactly what a license of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI costs because it depends on the country, the number of users (or the number of CPUs in the case of server software), the connectors to data sources, and at what point in the year you request a quote. If you do this a few weeks before the end of Microsoft’s fiscal quarter, you may be in for a decent discount. In addition, it makes sense running the software in the cloud. You then only pay for what you use. The purchase cost of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI may not be the largest cost item, but maintenance and support do return each year.
What makes Microsoft BI & Analytics worth considering
In our study, we see that Microsoft in the field of BI & Analytics software has several specific features which are worth weighing in a tool selection. This makes Microsoft Business Intelligence more or less unique: live video analytics, workplace analytics, streaming datasets, multidimensional models and big data pipelines.
The advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Business Intelligence
Figure 107: Tag cloud with the strength-weakness analysis of Microsoft BI & Analytics
In the following paragraphs, we name all the advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft BI & Analytics, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI, et cetera. These are not necessarily definitive because: Microsoft can currently work to creating missing functionality at this time (such as support for AIX, Solaris, Unix, Cloudera Impala, waterfall chart and mobile analytics). In addition, documentation may lag behind current events.
Your opinion matters
Leave a review about Microsoft BI & Analytics here. Your experiences can then be included in an even more sophisticated assessment of the ratings of Microsoft Business Intelligence.
1. Microsoft Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft has an excellent score in our current BI & Analytics survey of the theme ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research). The company scores 100% on this topic, compared to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: data science, Python, data mining, algorithms, natural language processing, cognitive services and computer vision. In doing so, we assessed the following five products: Microsoft AI Platform, Power BI Premium, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Data Lake and Azure Cognitive Services. In total, we examined 164 features within this discipline. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Artificial Intelligence’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Study 2023.
2. Microsoft BI Infrastructure
Microsoft has an excellent rating in our independent BI & Analytics survey on the subject ‘BI Infrastructure’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research) with a score of 100%, relative to other vendors. The following criteria were used: authentication, infrastructure, repository, embedded analytics, scalability, high availability and operating systems. In total, we examined 162 criteria in this category. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘BI Infrastructure’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023.
3. Microsoft Big Data
The company has an excellent performance in our 100% vendor-independent BI & Analytics survey of the theme ‘Big Data’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research). The score amounts to 100%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: streaming, unstructured data and sensors. In doing so, we looked at the following five products: Power BI Premium, Azure Stream Analytics, Azure Data Lake, Azure Cognitive Services and Azure Synapse Analytics. In total, we examined 59 criteria in this category. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Big Data’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023.
4. Microsoft Data Connectivity
Microsoft has an excellent performance in our independent BI & Analytics survey on the subject ‘Data Connectivity’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research) with a score of 100%, compared to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: Sharepoint, connectivity, native and Teradata. In doing so, we looked at the following products: Microsoft Power Query. In total, we examined 91 criteria in this category. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Data Connectivity’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Study.
5. Microsoft Data Governance
Microsoft has an excellent performance in our 100% vendor-independent BI & Analytics survey of the theme ‘Data Governance’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research) with a score of 100%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: data management, data quality, data catalog, data encryption, data lineage and data acquisition layer. In doing so, we looked at the following two products: Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Power BI Enterprise. In total, we examined 91 criteria in this category. Would you like to delve further into the topic ‘Data Governance’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023.
6. Microsoft Data Integration
The company has an excellent performance in our independent BI & Analytics survey on the subject ‘Data Integration’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research) with a score of 100%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: data warehousing and data virtualization. In doing so, we looked at the following five products: Microsoft Power Query, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Warehouse and Azure Advanced Analytics. In total, we examined 76 selection criteria within this main theme. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Data Integration’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023. Or take a deep dive in the following content:
7. Microsoft Multidimensional Models
The vendor Microsoft has an excellent rating in our 100% vendor-independent BI & Analytics survey on the section ‘Multidimensional Models’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research) with a score of 100%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: OLAP, DAX, ROLAP, MOLAP and tabular data models. In doing so, we assessed the following products: SSAS. In total, we examined 14 criteria in this category. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Multidimensional Models’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023.
8. Microsoft Real-time Analytics
The vendor Microsoft has an excellent rating in our current BI & Analytics survey on the section ‘Real-time Analytics’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research) with a score of 100%, relative to other vendors. The following criteria were used: real-time, real-time data, data ingestion, near real-time, real-time insights and live connection. In doing so, we looked at the following two products: Azure Stream Analytics and Azure Advanced Analytics. In total, we examined 19 criteria in this category. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Real-time Analytics’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023.
9. Microsoft Self-service BI
The vendor Microsoft has an excellent performance in our objective BI & Analytics survey on the section ‘Self-service BI’ (for this section Microsoft comes out as the absolute market leader in our research). The score amounts to 100%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: self-service data preparation, self-service reporting, self-service data discovery, self-service data analytics, self-service data visualization, self-service data exploration and self-service analytics platform. In doing so, we looked at the following products: Microsoft Power Query. In total, we examined 14 criteria in this category. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Self-service BI’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Study 2023.
10. Microsoft Business Intelligence
The vendor Microsoft has an excellent score in our objective BI & Analytics survey on the subject ‘Business Intelligence’ with a score of 96%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: reporting, business intelligence platform, enterprise business intelligence and business process monitoring. In doing so, we looked at the following five products: Microsoft Power Query, Power BI Premium, Power BI Report Server, Azure Stream Analytics and Azure Data Lake. In total, we examined 73 criteria in this category. Would you like to go into more depth with the topic ‘Business Intelligence’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Study 2023. Or take a deep dive in the following content:
11. Microsoft Performance Optimization
The company has an excellent performance in our 100% vendor-independent BI & Analytics survey on the subject ‘Performance Optimization’ with a score of 95%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: in-memory, parallel processing and materialized views. In total, we examined 29 features within this discipline. Would you like to learn more about the topic ‘Performance Optimization’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide.
12. Microsoft Data Discovery
The company has an excellent performance in our 100% vendor-independent BI & Analytics survey on the section ‘Data Discovery’ with a score of 89%, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: time series, data visualization, notifications, standard deviation, data storytelling and share insights. In doing so, we analyzed the following products: Microsoft Power Query. In total, we examined 400 criteria in this category. Would you like to delve further into the topic ‘Data Discovery’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide.
13. Microsoft Mobile Business Intelligence
The vendor Microsoft has an excellent score in our objective BI & Analytics survey on the subject ‘Mobile Business Intelligence’ with a score of 87%, relative to other vendors. We considered the following factors: Android, iPad, push notification, mobile analytics, mobile dashboards and mobile push notifications. In total, we examined 10 selection criteria within this main theme. Are you planning to specialize further in the topic ‘Mobile Business Intelligence’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023.
14. Microsoft Analytics
Microsoft has an excellent performance in our study of the theme ‘Analytics’, given that they score 87% on this, relative to other vendors. We looked at the following criteria, among others: analytics platform, customer analytics, retail analytics, marketing analytics, quality analytics, data center analytics and operations analytics. In doing so, we assessed the following five products: Microsoft Power Query, Microsoft AI Platform, Power BI Premium, Azure Machine Learning and Azure Stream Analytics. In total, we examined 130 aspects in this category. Would you like to go into more depth with the topic ‘Analytics’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023. Or take a deep dive in the following content:
15. Microsoft Decision Management
The vendor Microsoft has a good score in our recently updated, independent BI & Analytics study on the subject ‘Decision Management’ with a score of 66%, relative to other vendors. The following criteria were used: performance management and decision support. In total, we examined 30 features within this discipline. Would you like to go into more depth with the topic ‘Decision Management’? Then download here our BI & Analytics Guide 2023.
In which sectors is Microsoft BI & Analytics most active?
In our recently updated, independent BI & Analytics research on, we also looked at which industries a supplier operates in. These are the industries where Microsoft is most popular: automotive, aviation, banking, biomedical, biotech, construction, energy, fashion, financial services, food, gas industry, health care, higher education, hospitality, insurance, life sciences, manufacturing, pharma, public sector, restaurants, retail, steel, universities and utilities.
Microsoft software is most used by…
The BI & Analytics software from Microsoft is most often mentioned in combination with the following functions: business intelligence architect, business intelligence consultant, data analysts, data engineers, data scientists, decision makers, director, finance professionals, product manager, product marketing, product marketing manager, senior director, senior management and software engineer.
Education and training course Microsoft BI & Analytics
We organize various courses in the field of BI & Analytics but can also provide specific Microsoft training, for example as incompany. Then think about the following software: Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server and Power BI. Of course, such training is framed with the ideas of the intelligent, data-driven organization.
Final Verdict: Microsoft Business Intelligence scores eminent
Microsoft has a extensive product portfolio with which it scores eminent in our BI & Analytics survey. Microsoft BI & Analytics innovates (approximately) at an average rate of more than 15 features per year, is active (for now) in lots of different sectors, and has developed best in artificial intelligence.
About Passionned Group
Passionned Group specializes in 100% independent BI & Analytics consulting and the implementation of BI & Analytics solutions. Our dedicated and passionate consultants help businesses and governments to advance as intelligent, data-driven organizations.
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