Turning Analytics into a Story with Microsoft Power BI

Analytics are used by business and website operators to learn how users interact with their product or website.  In a way, analytics tell a story to an owner, guiding them to the next step for their company.  Now, Microsoft wants to use all that information and share it with the public.  That’s the mission behind Microsoft Power BI (Business Intelligence).

Instead of just providing insights to managers, these tools can turn that information into visually appealing graphics.  Microsoft says that can make it faster and easier for a company to get their message across without having to waste time building custom graphics.

“Reporters, bloggers, broadcasters, analysts and others who want to tell engaging and visually compelling stories can turn to Microsoft Power BI as a tool for data visualization.” The company said in its statement. “The flexible layout and drag-and-drop placement also makes it easy to use.”

Microsoft calls this public form of analytics ‘data journalism.’  Now, some journalists are taking advantage of this service.  KING 5, the NBC affiliate in Seattle, WA, is using this service to improve its reporting on-air.

Power BI is available for desktop and mobile.  You can find more information about this service and sign up for a free trial here.

And check out Microsoft’s announcement video below: