Question

What options exist for using Power BI without the need for an Azure-based server infrastructure?

I am exploring alternatives to deploying Power BI on Azure-based servers and would like to know about other ways to set up and use Power BI effectively without relying on Azure. Could you provide insights into how Power BI can be utilized in such cases, including on-premise or hybrid solutions, and the key differences between these options?

Answer 1

Below are the options under which Power BI can operate without an Azure-based server infrastructure:

Power BI Desktop: You can install Power BI Desktop on the local machine and develop reports and dashboards without requiring any cloud infrastructure. Data can be pulled from regional databases, Excel files, or from on-premise data sources.

Power BI Report Server: This is an on-premise solution for organizations that need to include their data and reports in their own infrastructure. Power BI Report Server allows users to publish and maintain Power BI reports on their own servers without Azure.

Hybrid Solution: For organizations that have some of their data available in the cloud and part of it on-premise, Power BI complements on-premise data sources with cloud services. That can be done, for example, using gateways like the On-Premises Data Gateway, which allows cloud services to access on-premise data.

Major differences include:

While Power BI Desktop is for local use and is primarily aimed at single-user report creation, Power BI Report Server offers full report management that is best suited to a larger premise-oriented organization. Hybrid solutions offer the best of on-premise and cloud flexibility. All these options were made for full-fledged utilization of Power BI without entering Azure infrastructure.