[Datamart-News] Getting Started with Power BI (update)

[WALLACE Aaron * DAS]

Datamart Power BI users,

The Datamart team is continually working to improve our Power BI instructions and processes. As part of this effort, we've updated one of the "Getting Started" resources.

Please review the attached "Guide to ODBCs" document.

We'll walk through this guide together during the training session on September 11, 2025.

Thanks,
Aaron Wallace
Sr. Datamart Business Analyst

From: Datamart-News <datamart-news-bounces at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:datamart-news-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>> On Behalf Of WALLACE Aaron * DAS via Datamart-News
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2025 3:49 PM
To: WALLACE Aaron * DAS via Datamart-News <datamart-news at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:datamart-news at omls.oregon.gov>>
Subject: [Datamart-News] Getting Started with Power BI

Datamart users,

We recently announced the support of Power BI Desktop (see details below). With this announcement, we want to provide some 'getting started' instructions (see attached). The Datamart team is new to Power BI, but our goal is to continue to create helpful guidelines.

What is needed to start using Power BI Desktop with the Datamart:

  1.  Download the application (email your agency tech support)
  2.  Obtain Datamart (RACF) Security access (email an Agency Security Officer)
  3.  Load the Datamart ODBC (SFMSP) to your computer (view attached instructions: 'Guide to ODBCs'; agency tech support to install)
  4.  Create a query in Microsoft's Power BI Desktop (view attached instructions: "Power BI- Connect to the Datamart-Statewide")
  5.  Additional password info (view attached instructions "Power BI - Stored User ID-2025")


If you have any questions, please let us know.
[cid:image001.png at 01DC1CB3.2B8DCFB0]

From: Datamart-News <datamart-news-bounces at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:datamart-news-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>> On Behalf Of Datamart Support * DAS via Datamart-News
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 8:22 AM
To: WALLACE Aaron * DAS via Datamart-News <datamart-news at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:datamart-news at omls.oregon.gov>>
Subject: [Datamart-News] Datamart query tool update

Good afternoon Datamart users,

We are delighted to announce that we have selected Microsoft's Power BI Desktop as the tool to replace OBIEE. Power BI is part of the Microsoft Office Suite and is covered by the current subscription, meaning agencies already have access to this tool, it aligns with the State's data security structure, and it requires no additional cost. A number of agencies already use Power BI for various purposes, including accessing the Datamart. Importantly, Power BI also is able to accommodate each of the top five priorities identified by our surveyed users. The top five priorities were the ability to: (1) query over 1 million rows of data; (2) to work with all web browser applications; (3) query an agency's internal database; (4) integrate easily with Microsoft Office, including importing and exporting functions; and (5) have its connections be easily understood by agency technical staff.

The Datamart team is developing training and support documentation that will be rolled out in the coming months. Here are some key timeline dates (subject to change):


  *   By end of July 2025: Provide users with varied "getting started" instructions; create some initial Power BI queries for users to have as a template.


  *   By the end of October 2025: Provide users with initial trainings in Power BI via Teams and post them in Workday Learning.


  *   By the end of June 2026: Provide Repository files which are used for year-end financial reports and enterprise-wide federal reporting available to agencies in Power BI, while equivalent reports in OBIEE continue to be available; Discontinue updating the behind-the-scenes architecture for OBIEE.


  *   December 31, 2027: Cease OSC support for OBIEE and fully switch to Power BI. Timing coincides with the end of the ability to charge expenditures to the 25-27 biennium.

We still plan to use and support OBIEE as our #1 query tool until 2027; however, we will also support Power Bi.

We are excited by what's possible with Power BI as our primary query tool and look forward to working with agencies to make the transition successful. Please contact Datamart support if you have any questions.

Aaron Wallace
Sr. Datamart Business Analyst

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