Discussions

Hi,

We implement integrations with PowerBI, in collaboration with our Business Intelligence team. There's really two aspects to integration: data integration and content integration.

Regardless of what BI product you use, we have found it works best to build a data foundation composed from iMIS and all other sources, and then use that foundation as a single datasource for BI. Nearly every organization who uses iMIS has additional data in other systems. Trying to force-fit all the desired data into iMIS, or into any other system, is complex and can lead to compromises and inaccuracies. A data foundation provides a schema that harmonizes data across systems, and the resulting BI product is much more reliable and useful.

A data integration project can also lead into conversations about Data Governance as you work out definitions, ownership, access, and privacy policies across departments and systems.

Content integration can involve either embedding the BI platform into a RiSE website (staff or public), or an SSO link to an external site. In some cases, drilling down in the BI tool can link back to the detail within iMIS. (E.G. drill down on a list of outlier members, then click a name to pull up their profile in iMIS.)

As for how long a project takes, that depends greatly on how much you want to take on, and how many sources are involved. Even if you only wanted data from iMIS, I would not expect it to take less than 6-8 weeks, but that is heavily dependent on availability of staff to participate and make decisions. (Staff who usually still have to get their regular jobs done.)