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Create an read-only and external license tier

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Power BI Ideas Admin on 26 Nov 2014 09:59:47

Power BI is a great tool for those that need to analyze data, but not all users are equal in their knowledge of PowerPivot, Excel or the underlying data sources. Some users just want to see and act on data. In the current model, users have to have a PowerBI license to even see a report.

So, instead of building or buying a separate visualization layer to go over SSAS or SSRS, why not make PowerView extensible? Give me a very economical or even free limited user tier that can only consume web reports, but no Excel access. You can even assume these users are E2/E3 subscribers.

Comments (29)
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6d0de337 8f6b-459a-a46e-0c9106c249f0 on 05 Jul 2020 22:04:14

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

To further on this, why not charge a nominal fee for the connector to on prem? I would say Azure, but in that case we are already paying for Azure too and the products are so integrated

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8ec7ef81 3b77-49f2-b362-5b4e134e5310 on 05 Jul 2020 22:04:11

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

A viewer, like what the mobile apps are, has to be cheaper (or free) for all PowerBi outputs.
This will improve visibility and adoption rate.

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6506ed81 47e4-483d-bb2f-e0eecae741a2 on 05 Jul 2020 22:02:59

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

I just want to add that my idea is to add "Pro" read only tier, which is somewhat different than an external license. This would include SSAS Tabular live connectivity for on premise data.

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6506ed81 47e4-483d-bb2f-e0eecae741a2 on 05 Jul 2020 22:02:57

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

A viewer license to see reports with live data connections is essential. Not everyone needs the ability to create these reports. and forcing a full Pro seat may force some folks into getting creative to avoid the Pro product completely.

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55319be4 c305-4b0c-9ac7-bc38216d2cbc on 05 Jul 2020 22:02:25

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

I agree that we need to account for users that will only consume artifacts for the Power BI sku, but it should not be free if the authors are using the Power BI Pro ski. We should start with a retail price of 50% of the Pro version.

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7d37cdbf c2f7-4abb-9836-e1ca03c4c83f on 05 Jul 2020 21:57:29

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

Duplicate of http://support.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi/suggestions/6872640-share-with-external-users

Can you combine the votes?

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19cb53e4 84c0-4593-9821-e68d34f4e363 on 05 Jul 2020 21:57:12

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

Agreed. I think this is a very important consideration regarding the licencing scheme; a view-only licence.

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bd90fbd2 2c40-4c69-85fd-9f1aa90ed432 on 05 Jul 2020 21:57:09

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

I agree, I work in an organization where we're going to have a handful of users that will be creating reports and several others that will be just viewing. It would be nice if there were an option that was less expensive for the people that will be just viewing.

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e7dc68b9 f697-4f7f-9fd5-d26f1387f5ee on 05 Jul 2020 21:57:08

RE: Create an read-only and external license tier

There should definitely be a free viewer tear for existing Office 365 users. Viewing and interaction with dashboard only.