What is Power BI Microsoft’s Power BI is a suite of data visualization and business analytic tools. It offers tools to easily analyze, transform and visualize data, including the ability to build reusable models. The software enables users to integrate their apps, so as to deliver reports along with real-time dashboards. Providing a user-friendly interface and excellent data visualization capabilities, users can choose from the Pro plan or a more limited free version.
If your business favors Microsoft and you have a team of Excel power users, then Power BI will probably work well for you at a low price point. The free version is designed more towards individual users, offering limited storage and other capabilities. Teams will probably want to go with the Pro plan with more storage, faster refresh cycles, and collaboration capabilities.
Pros
Creates a single data model from different types of data sources
User-friendly
Good data visualization capabilities
As part of Microsoft business suite, linked to other tools as Excel and SQL Server
Cons
Limitations in the free version can be frustrating
3rd party visuals cannot be exported to PowerPoint
Could be challenging if you are not a powerful Excel user.
Pricing
Pricing for Microsoft’s Power BI tool ranges from free for individual to $9.99 per month for the Pro plan, as well as more custom pricing for larger deployments.
Alternatives
The Best Alternative
What is Improvado?
Improvado collects all your marketing data into one place. It syncs into every marketing platform you use, and gathers the data into the Improvado platform or sends it straight to your BI tools, with no dev help needed. It was designed by marketers for marketers. Now all your marketing reports and dashboards are automated in real-time.
Who should use Improvado?
Improvado is for any marketer seeking to simplify and streamline the work of aggregating data into an easy to use database. The program automates the entire process-- freeing up your time to work on other marketing tasks.
Improvado has hundreds of integrations with platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, Snapchat, Shopify, Mailchimp, Salesforce and more. This makes it easy to get the data you need, from wherever it lives. Integrations run deep and pull granular data from both the keyword and ad level.
Improvado allows you to view data in real time, viewing your marketing performance from a high level or drill in to the nitty gritty details.
It's easy to create custom dashboards and reports, but their customer service team is incredibly helpful if you need their support. Their customer support is available throughout every step and pays close attention to the specific needs of the individual client. Collected data is viewable on the BI tool of your choice as well as through Improvado’s dashboard. The user experience is a high priority.
Pros:
Excellent customer support throughout every step
Simple implementation with no developer needed
Integrations are granular and deep
Ability to pull data from numerous platforms
Compatible other BI tools, including Looker and Tableau
Data aggregated in real time to a single destination
Completely customizable, including custom metrics and integrations
Cons:
While some of the more granular features can seem complicated, customer service is excellent at helping users through any issues and building any needed custom calculations.
Some initial back and forth may be needed with customer support to set up dashboards and reports exactly how you want them.
If your business favors Microsoft and you have a team of Excel power users, then Power BI will probably work well for you at a low price point. The free version is designed more towards individual users, offering limited storage and other capabilities. Teams will probably want to go with the Pro plan with more storage, faster refresh cycles, and collaboration capabilities.
Creates a single data model from different types of data sources
User-friendly
Good data visualization capabilities
As part of Microsoft business suite, linked to other tools as Excel and SQL Server
Limitations in the free version can be frustrating
3rd party visuals cannot be exported to PowerPoint
Could be challenging if you are not a powerful Excel user.
Pricing for Microsoft’s Power BI tool ranges from free for individual to $9.99 per month for the Pro plan, as well as more custom pricing for larger deployments.
Improvado
Improvado is a tool built by marketers, for marketers to get all their data into one place, in real-time, with automated dashboards and reports.
Improvado is a tool built by marketers, for marketers to get all their data into one place, in real-time, with automated dashboards and reports.
Who should use Improvado?
The Improvado platform is specifically focused on the marketing dilemma and will connect to any marketing platform you need. The integrations run deep, pulling in granular data from the keyword and ad level, to allow you to see the complete picture.
This simple and intuitive platform eliminates the need for developers to help you implement it or make changes.
Improvado provides customer service reps included in every package who are highly attentive. A representative will work with you to customize dashboards and integrations to ensure that you're visualizing the data in exactly the way you need it.
You can choose to view your data inside the Improvado dashboard or you have the freedom to extract your data and download it, send it to a data warehouse, or visualize it in the BI tool of your choice, like Tableau or Looker.
Pros:
Full support with a customer service rep included
Marketing integrations are deep and granular, so you can see data at the keyword or ad level
Ability to create custom metrics and map data across platforms
Great for brands managing spend across multiple digital marketing channels
Great for ad agencies managing campaigns for multiple clients
View ad creatives from within your dashboard -- This feature is super helpful and I have not seen it offered anywhere else!
Aggregate all your marketing data into one place, in real time.
Reduce manual reporting time by 90%.
No developers needed.
Plug and play
Completely customizable and will build out any custom integration
Cons:
Some of the more granular features can be a bit complicated, but support is great about walking users through them.
In order to get your dashboards and reports visualized in exactly the way you want, there may be some initial back and forth with your customer support rep.
Improvado Pricing
Improvado is customized for its users. The best way to customize the platform to your specific needs and receive pricing details is to set up a call with them.
Improvado Integrations
Improvado has 80+ Integrations with plans to grow to 500 by the end of 2018. Don’t see what you need? They will build out custom integrations for any data source you request.
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