Microsoft Empowers Power BI Users with Advanced Database Services

Microsoft has announced that it will offer high-end database services and app building tools to its Power BI users, expanding its reach by an order of magnitude. The move aims to leverage the large user base of Power BI, which has over 425,000 customers worldwide, particularly among Microsoft Dynamics application portfolio customers.

The company is offering Fabric Apps and Fabric Database capabilities to customers who license Power BI Pro and Power BI Premium Per User at no additional cost. This includes up to 1GB per app for database services and security features. Arun Ulag, executive vice president at Microsoft, stated that the distinctions between a dashboard and an app are disappearing.

The feature is scheduled to be available in preview in the coming weeks. It will enable users to build data analytics-style apps using Rayfin, an open-source SDK, which can accept inputs, write back data, preserve shared state, and support operational workflows across Fabric. The integration with other platforms, including Salesforce application and data systems, is also being extended.