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Showing episodes and shows of
Landon Ochs
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The Dashboard Effect
Choosing the Right Data Platform for Your Business: Fabric or Snowflake?
Choosing between Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs break down when, why, and how to choose the right data platform for your organization. From ecosystem compatibility and AI capabilities to cost management and developer experience, we unpack the real-world trade-offs we see every day at Blue Margin.Whether you're building from scratch or evaluating a transition, this conversation will help you make a smarter, more informed decision.Don’t forget to subscribe for more data strategy insights!
2025-07-07
12 min
The Dashboard Effect
Inside Microsoft Build: The Rise of AI Agents
This episode dives into the biggest theme from the 2025 Microsoft Build conference: AI agents. Brick and Landon unpack what Microsoft unveiled, from Copilot Studio to Azure AI Foundry, and what it all means for businesses adopting custom AI tools.Whether you're curious about how AI agents can automate tasks, what it takes to build and govern them effectively, or how Microsoft is pushing this technology forward, this episode is your insider look at the future of business automation.
2025-06-19
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
Breaking Down the Latest Fabric Updates from Microsoft Build
Landon and Brick unpack the biggest announcements about Microsoft Fabric from the 2025 Microsoft Build Conference. From long-awaited features like Power BI write-back and built-in CICD, to major shifts like Cosmos DB moving into Fabric and Copilot now available at the F2 tier, this is a must-watch for data professionals and business leaders keeping an eye on Microsoft’s data ecosystem.Whether you're already working in Fabric or planning your move from Synapse, this breakdown will help you understand what’s here, what’s coming, and what to watch out for.Learn more about how Blue Margin...
2025-06-05
12 min
The Dashboard Effect
5 Key Metrics for Middle Market Companies
In this episode, Brick and Kate break down the five most impactful metrics for middle-market companies to focus on when implementing Business Intelligence (BI). These metrics help businesses not only measure performance, but also take strategic action based on real-time insights.Whether you're in services, manufacturing, or another industry, this conversation dives into practical examples and key considerations for tracking performance across the organization.Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on data-driven business strategies.
2025-05-08
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
If You Build It, Will They Use It? Culture’s Role in BI Success
Rolling out a new BI system or dashboard? It's not just about the data; it's about the people. In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon dive into the hidden influence of company culture on BI adoption. From Excel loyalty to leadership modeling and psychological safety, they unpack the human side of digital transformation.Learn how to overcome resistance, build trust, and drive lasting engagement with your dashboards.Need help getting your dashboards adopted? Visit us at https://bluemargin.com
2025-04-17
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
Vanity Isn’t Strategy: Smarter Metrics for Smarter Teams
Are you chasing metrics that look good but don’t do good?In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Oaks dive into the common trap of vanity metrics, those flashy numbers that don’t actually move the needle. They explore how to identify the right metrics, involve the right stakeholders, and why iteration is key to building dashboards that drive real results.Whether you’re building your first dashboard or refining a mature BI strategy, this episode will help you shift from data that decorates to data that delivers.Learn...
2025-04-10
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
Safe, Smart, and Internal: Our Experimental Leap with AI
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Landon Oaks sits down with Azure Data Architect Mark Bender to discuss Blue Margin’s first internal leap into AI: Project Celeste. Still in its early stages, Celeste is designed to boost developer and analyst productivity by using large language models to generate SQL queries from natural language prompts, without exposing sensitive data. Landon and Mark unpack how Celeste works, what makes it different from traditional AI chatbots, and how it's poised to change the way Blue Margin teams approach unfamiliar data systems like NetSuite. Whether you're an AI...
2025-03-27
07 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Future of Microsoft Fabric: Will It Replace Synapse?
Are you trying to decide between Microsoft Synapse and Microsoft Fabric for your data architecture? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each platform to help you make the best decision for your data needs. What You’ll Learn:✅ The biggest limitations of Microsoft Fabric right now✅ When Synapse is the better choice for large data sets✅ How Microsoft is evolving Fabric to compete with Synapse✅ Real-world experiences from working with both platforms✅ Key factors to consider when choosing between Fabric and Sy...
2025-03-13
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
Revenue Reporting: It's Not as Simple as It Seems
Revenue seems like a simple metric—just add up the sales, right? Not so fast! In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Landon dive into the complexities of defining revenue. Every business calculates revenue differently, whether due to trade discounts, loyalty programs, rebates, or industry-specific rules.We explore why even CEOs, CFOs, and sales leaders might have different definitions of revenue and how companies can align on a single, accurate metric. If you're dealing with financial reporting, business intelligence, or analytics, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!...
2025-02-27
05 min
The Dashboard Effect
Breaking Down Portfolio Monitoring Solutions
In this episode, Kate Eberle and Greg Brown discuss the challenges and strategies of portfolio monitoring in private equity. They explore the different approaches firms take, from Excel-based reporting to fully automated Power BI solutions, and discuss the pros and cons of each method.Things we cover: - The evolution of portfolio monitoring in private equity- Common challenges firms face with data collection and reporting- Comparing Excel, data warehouses, and portfolio monitoring tools like iLevel and Chronograph- How automation is transforming private equity analytics- Best practices for i...
2025-02-20
20 min
The Dashboard Effect
Role Based Security: Keeping Data in the Right Hands
Who should see your business data and who shouldn’t? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Landon break down the essentials of role-based security and data access control.Learn how businesses can ensure the right people have access to the right data while keeping sensitive information secure. We cover:- The importance of defining roles & hierarchies- How to structure access control in ERP, HR, and security systems- Best practices for implementing role-based access in BI reporting- Common pitfalls (li...
2025-01-30
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
From Theory to Practice: Making AI Work in the Real World
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Jon sits down with Lisa Weaver Lambert, author of The AI Value Playbook. Lisa shares her deep expertise in AI, offering practical advice for non-technical leaders on how to leverage AI effectively. From addressing common pitfalls to discussing actionable strategies, Lisa’s insights are a must-hear for anyone looking to implement AI in their organization.Lisa’s book, The AI Value Playbook, is a practical guide for non-technical leaders looking to harness the power of AI. You can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1835461751?ref=c...
2025-01-16
40 min
The Dashboard Effect
How to Build Smarter Reports with Power BI
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon discuss the importance of truly understanding your data before diving into report building. Whether you’re an analytics engineer or using Power BI, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for making better decisions and creating impactful dashboards.Key Moments:[02:15] Why understanding your data source improves report outcomes.[05:30] How Power BI simplifies data visualization and decision-making.[08:45] Common pitfalls in analytics and how to avoid them.Thank you for tuning into The Dashboard Effect Podcast! Subscribe for more insights on data, BI, an...
2025-01-03
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
Is Raw or Aggregated Data Better for Analytics Decisions?
Knowing when to use raw data or aggregated data can make or break your analytics strategy. In this video, Brick and Landon explain the key differences between raw and aggregated data, how each affects decision-making, and the best times to use them. Whether you’re managing transactional data or scaling analytics for your business, this discussion has you covered.Tune in to learn how these data strategies can impact your reporting, analytics, and overall business performance.If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe to our channel for...
2024-12-05
07 min
The Dashboard Effect
Schema on Write vs. Schema on Read: What’s Faster for Your Business?
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Landon break down the differences between schema on read and schema on write. They discuss when to use each approach, the pros and cons, and real-world applications for businesses of different sizes. If you're navigating the complexities of data lakes, data warehouses, or lakehouses, this episode will give you clarity.Tune in to learn how these data strategies can impact your reporting, analytics, and overall business performance.If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to hit the like button and su...
2024-11-21
06 min
The Dashboard Effect
Understanding Semantic Models and Data Lake House Layers
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, host Brick Thompson and Blue Margin’s Director of Solutions, Landon Ochs, dive into the nuances of semantic models and the bronze, silver, and gold layers within a data lake house. They explain the roles of each layer, how data is transformed at each stage, and why collaboration with business users is essential for accurate and actionable BI reporting.Through this episode, you'll learn why different layers serve different purposes—from storing raw data to pre-joining tables for efficiency to creating finalized data ready for reporting. They also discuss how...
2024-11-07
10 min
The Dashboard Effect
NetSuite Data Pipeline: Surprising API Challenges & ODBC Solution
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick chats with Landon, Director of Solutions at Blue Margin, about a surprising challenge faced while extracting data from NetSuite. Despite NetSuite’s well-developed API, handling massive datasets proved problematic. Landon shares how they solved the issue using an unexpected solution—the ODBC connector.They discuss the limitations of the API, how ODBC outperformed it for large data sets, and the unconventional yet effective workaround using a virtual machine. If you’re working with NetSuite or other cloud-based systems and experiencing similar challenges, you’ll want to hear this episode....
2024-10-23
07 min
The Dashboard Effect
How Bad Data Models Can Sabotage Your Reports
In this episode, Brick Thompson and Caleb Ochs discuss the critical role of good data models in making business intelligence tools like Power BI efficient and scalable. They cover the pitfalls of poor data models, including delayed reporting and data category issues, and offer insights into designing flexible, transactional-level data models that can grow with your business needs.Key Moments:- Example of a Bad Data Model- The Benefits of Transactional-Level Data- Why Developers Take Shortcuts- Common Data Model MistakesBlue Margin increases enterprise value for...
2024-10-10
10 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Blueprint for Rolling Out BI to Hundreds of Users
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Caleb discuss the challenges and best practices for rolling out Business Intelligence (BI) solutions to large audiences. With a real-life example of implementing BI across 600 retail locations, they dive into how to navigate common pitfalls, ensuring user adoption and success. Whether your rollout is for a small team or a large enterprise, these insights will help you optimize your process.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by building and managing their data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 250 companies to-date, expands multiples through data...
2024-10-02
10 min
The Dashboard Effect
Simplifying Your Data Pipeline for Maximum Performance
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, hosts Brick and Caleb explore the essential steps to building efficient and reliable data pipelines. They discuss the critical factors in moving data from transactional systems to data lakes, highlight the importance of simplifying pipelines, and share practical strategies for handling pipeline failures, API connections, and ensuring scalability. Whether you're a data professional or a business leader looking to enhance your data processes, this episode offers valuable insights to guide you.Enjoyed the episode? Hit Like, subscribe to our channel, and tap the bell icon to stay updated on the...
2024-09-12
16 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Data Team Dilemma: Strategies for Surviving High Turnover
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Caleb explore the pressing challenges of assembling and sustaining a robust data team in today’s volatile tech landscape. With tech turnover rates on the rise, developing strategies to attract and retain top talent is more critical than ever. They share insights on the importance of redundancy, effective documentation, and keeping solutions simple to ensure your data team stays strong. Join us to learn practical approaches to future-proofing your data team.Subscribe to our channel for more insights on data analytics and team management.Blue Margin in...
2024-08-29
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Strategic Edge of Outsourcing Your Data Platform
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, hosts Brick and Caleb dive into the often-overlooked advantages of outsourcing data platform management. They explore why mid-market companies should consider this option, discussing the challenges of in-house management, the importance of expertise in data integrity and security, and how outsourcing can free up your team to focus on core business analytics.Whether you're a growing company struggling with data management or an executive looking to optimize your data strategy, this episode offers valuable insights into making your data work for you without the headaches of platform management.
2024-08-15
13 min
The Dashboard Effect
Generative AI Analytics: Hype vs. Reality
Welcome to The Dashboard Effect Podcast! In this episode, Brick and Caleb discuss the world of generative AI analytics, reflecting on the initial excitement and the current state of the technology. They share their insights and personal experiences, examining the progress made since the Microsoft Build Conference 2023 and evaluating whether generative AI tools are living up to their expectations. Visit our website https://BlueMargin.com for more insights and resources. Episode Highlights: - Initial Excitement and High Expectations: Brick and Caleb reminisce about the excitement surrounding the Microsoft Build Conference 2023 and the potential the...
2024-08-01
11 min
The Dashboard Effect
Handling Multiple Currencies in Power BI
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, we tackle the complex world of multi-currency reporting in Power BI. Whether you're a BI professional or a business analyst dealing with international data, this episode is packed with valuable insights to enhance your reporting capabilities.Brick and Caleb dive deep into:Effective strategies for displaying different currency symbolsThe power of dynamic formatting in Power BIAn innovative approach using a "concatenated fact table"Best practices for handling currency conversion ratesBalancing data duplication and compression for optimal performanceReal-world examples of multi-currency implementation for global businessesThe hosts share...
2024-07-18
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
Modern Reporting with Power BI: Moving Beyond Email Reports
In this episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, hosts Brick Thompson and Caleb Ochs discuss the pros and cons of emailing reports in business intelligence. They explore why the common practice of sending daily Excel sheets or PDFs is limiting and outdated, and offer better alternatives using modern BI tools like Power BI.We cover in this episode...- The limitations of static, emailed reports- Power BI's subscription feature as an improvement- The importance of live, interactive data- Alternatives for users who need raw data access- Storage...
2024-07-03
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Pitfalls of Augmenting Transactional Data with Excel for Reporting
In the latest episode of The Dashboard Effect Podcast, Brick and Caleb discuss a common challenge businesses face when trying to extend their data for reporting purposes using Excel files to categorize or group data in ways not supported by the original system.While this approach may seem simple and straightforward, it can lead to several problems down the road, such as:Difficulty matching numbers between the transactional system and the reporting tool (e.g., Power BI)Inconsistencies in categorization when new data is addedMaintenance overhead and potential for errors as the Excel file grows...
2024-06-20
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
Mastering Delta Loads: Caleb's Best Practices, Tips, and Workarounds
Brick and Caleb get technical this week with a special focus on delta loading. They break down the concept of delta loading and highlight its benefits over traditional full loading techniques in terms of speed and resource efficiency. Caleb covers the typical obstacles faced when implementing delta loading, including issues with legacy systems and API limitations. He also shares strategies for effective delta loading, with practical tips and workarounds that you can apply directly to your operations.Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving...
2024-06-06
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
A Speed-Trust Equation: Fast Power BI Reports Increase End User Confidence
Brick and Caleb share the essentials of performant Power BI reports. They discuss the ideal loading performance benchmarks, the implications of load times on user trust, and helpful strategies for debugging and optimizing data models and DAX measures. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands multiples through data transformation, as presented in our book, The Dashboard Effect.Subscribe here to get...
2024-05-23
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
Watch Out for These Data Model Red Flags
Brick and Caleb discuss the importance of data modeling and good DAX in Power BI, highlighting common mistakes that can lead to poor report performance. For fast and efficient reporting, you need a sound data model that contains the right level of detail, dimensions, and relationships, avoids snowflake schemas, and uses simple (and standardized) naming conventions. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands...
2024-05-09
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
Blueprints for Building an Internal BI Team
(This episode is a re-release, but the content is still just as relevant as it was the first time around!) Brick and Caleb discuss the complexities of building an in-house BI department. In addition to sharing their firsthand experience and insight from years of supporting mid-market companies, the duo discusses the potential benefits and pitfalls of moving from relying on external BI vendors to establishing internal teams. They explore why companies might want to bring these capabilities in-house despite the challenges and offer practical steps and advice for those considering this shift. Tune in to learn about the hiring...
2024-04-25
15 min
The Dashboard Effect
How to Use Leading and Lagging Metrics for Better Business Agility
Brick and guest co-host Greg Brown explore the dynamic between leading and lagging indicators in BI reporting. They share challenges and strategies for integrating these metrics to enhance operational efficiency and financial performance. Greg shares anecdotes from his operations background to emphasize the need for timely and actionable data to adjust behavior before it's too late.Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands...
2024-04-18
12 min
The Dashboard Effect
Behind the Scenes in Power BI: Tips to Streamline Data Modeling
This week, Brick and Caleb get a bit technical and discuss how to improve Power BI report performance through effective semantic modeling and minimizing data transformation with Power BI. They unpack the challenges of managing data transformations directly within Power BI and highlight the advantages of using serverless SQL views instead. Their insights will help Power BI report developers avoid common pitfalls, streamline data processing, and improve Power BI report performance.Jump to a Section:0:40 How Blue Margin approaches semantic modeling with serverless SQL views1:45 Power BI is not an ETL tool, so use SQL...
2024-04-11
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
How to Democratize Data and Avoid the Chaos of Data Sprawl
Brick and Caleb explore the balance between empowering analysts with data access and the governance required to prevent data sprawl and maintain integrity and consistency across reports. They provide strategies for enabling departments to independently use data for their own insights and how to use a centralized data team to review, refine, and distribute only the best individual reports to be used by the entire company. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage d...
2024-04-04
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Human Side of AI Readiness - How to Prepare Your Team and Business Logic
In a continuation of their AI-readiness discussion, Brick and Caleb outline the importance of the human element in preparing for generative AI analytics. They share strategies for ensuring that your company's culture is ready to harness the power of AI, from how to start improving data literacy to defining clear and consistent business logic. Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, e...
2024-03-28
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
Laying the Groundwork for Gen AI in Business Analytics
Brick and Caleb explore the steps businesses must take to prepare their data for the inevitable integration of generative AI analytics. They use this episode to explain the "why" behind data consolidation and semantic layers. What you'll learn:Why consolidating your data is the first step for AI-readinessThe challenges and solutions for dealing with data from disparate sourcesThe importance of a semantic layer in making data accessible for AI and business usersWhy you should take an agile approach when developing data infrastructureClick here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue M...
2024-03-21
08 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Layman's Guide to Data Terminology: Part Three
This episode is the third installment of Brick and Caleb's series on breaking down data terminology. They cover foreign and primary keys, data lakes and data lakehouses, parquet and delta parquet files, ETL and ELT, and data pipelines, before concluding with Python, PySpark, and visualizations. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands multiples through data transformation, as presented in our book, The Dashboard E...
2024-03-14
11 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Layman's Guide to Data Terminology: Part Two
This episode is the second installment of Brick and Caleb's series on breaking down data terminology. They cover Kimball data warehouse methodology, fact/dimensional tables, star vs. snowflake schemas, and data models vs. semantic layers. Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands multiples through data transformation, as presented in our book, The Dashboard Effect.Subscribe here t...
2024-03-07
10 min
The Dashboard Effect
The Layman's Guide to Data Terminology: Part One
This episode is the first installment in a series of episodes that will serve as a primer on the key terms and technologies surrounding data management. Brick and Caleb begin with the fundamental differences between transactional and analytical databases, explaining concepts like OLAP, OLTP, normalization, and denormalization in an accessible way. They also clarify the essence of SQL, how it interacts with databases, and introduce the concept of Serverless SQL. Whether you're new to data or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode is a good place to start getting a handle on common data terminology. Click...
2024-02-29
09 min
The Dashboard Effect
The KPIs You're Overlooking: Better Data Insights for Manufacturers
In this episode, Caleb and Kate discuss important KPIs for the manufacturing industry. While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, they outline and provide insight on the leading and lagging KPIs that have helped our midmarket manufacturing clients improve sales operations, inventory management, labor and machine utilization, and cash flow.Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage data platforms. Our strategy, proven with over 300 companies to-date, expands multiples through data transformation...
2024-02-22
14 min
The Dashboard Effect
A Case Study: Unifying Data Sources with Azure Data Lake and Serverless SQL
Brick and Caleb discuss Blue Margin's use of Azure Data Lake for unified data management. Using a recent client project as an example, Caleb explains how he integrated multiple data sources using serverless SQL to create a single data repository with a semantic model to enhance consistency across projects and reports. They also discuss the current performance benefits of using a serverless SQL and the Microsoft Fabric OneLake updates they're waiting on before transitioning from Azure Data Lake.In this episode:Introduction to Azure Data Lake: Caleb kicks off the discussion with an overview...
2024-02-15
10 min
The Dashboard Effect
From Data Setup to Power BI Reports: Considerations for Your Data Model (Semantic Layer)
In this episode, Brick and Caleb explain the distinctions of and interdependencies between data setup/data pipelines, data modeling, and reporting, emphasizing their individual roles within an effective approach to data analytics and BI. Starting by explaining the necessity of a solid data pipeline structure, this episode highlights how the specific requirements of a report influence the development of a corresponding data model (also known as a semantic layer) and concludes with a practical discussion on balancing the complexities of data models. Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Mar...
2024-02-07
10 min
The Dashboard Effect
How to Generate Realistic, Synthetic Data for Power BI with ChatGPT
Brick and Caleb explain how Blue Margin is using ChatGPT for generating synthetic data to populate data models in Power BI reports. Caleb shares his insights on how this approach has streamlined the process of creating sample reports with fake, yet realistic data, to demonstrate work without compromising customer data privacy. They discuss the limitations of traditional data-generating tools and highlight how ChatGPT's ability to produce specific data sets, like email addresses or location codes, significantly eases the task of generating authentic-looking fake data for reports. They also explore other practical applications, such as anonymizing sensitive data, generating test...
2024-01-31
12 min
The Dashboard Effect
How to Structure Your Data for Power BI Copilot
Brick and Caleb call out key aspects of Microsoft's Power BI Copilot documentation related to structuring datasets for Large Language Models (LLMs) and explain how to get these best practices in place. Data structure and organization are critical for getting useful outputs from advanced analytics tools like Power BI Copilot, and useful outputs will determine, in large part, whether or not these tools will be widely adopted. Here is the Microsoft documentation referenced: Update your data model to work well with Copilot for Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn Click here to watch this...
2024-01-24
13 min
The Dashboard Effect
A Closer Look at Microsoft Fabric's Direct Lake and Data Pipelines
While some features are not quite up to par (yet) with Azure Synapse Pipelines, Brick and Caleb discuss Microsoft Fabric's Direct Lake mode and Data Pipelines and the speed and advances they're bring to data management. Fabric's unified platform and source control integration streamline development, and Direct Lake allows organizations to operate off of a single copy of data -- providing data consistency and near real-time Power BI updates.Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team...
2024-01-18
10 min
The Dashboard Effect
How to Prepare Your Data for AI Advances
For months, Brick and Caleb have been recommending that companies start preparing their data infrastructure to leverage the current and upcoming AI technologies. In this episode, however, they break down how to prepare. They emphasize the need for data consolidation (and recommend OneLake on Microsoft Fabric), a robust semantic layer for report development, data literacy development within the organization, and consistent metric definitions.Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin increases enterprise value for PE-backed, mid-market companies by serving as their fractional data team. We advise on, build, and manage...
2024-01-10
13 min
The Dashboard Effect
Data Quality Sets the Stage for Generative AI: AWS's CDO Agenda for 2024
In this episode, we discuss the key takeaways from the AWS report "CDO Agenda 2024: Navigating Data and Generative AI Frontiers." According to the report, the top focus for CDOs is creating visible value and achieving business objectives while preparing company data to leverage generative AI advances. Brick and Caleb share strategies for improving data infrastructure and considerations for generative AI's growing impact. Regardless of when/whether generative AI advances materialize, companies stand to benefit from consolidating their data tools onto a single platform to improve their data quality and security. Click here to watch this episode on o...
2024-01-03
11 min
The Dashboard Effect
Data is Gold in AI's Wild West: Insights from Salesforce's State of Data & Analytics Report
In this episode, hosts Brick Thompson and Caleb Ochs discuss the current state of data and AI, inspired by a recent report from Salesforce. They discuss the importance of a strong data foundation (and what constitutes one) for effective use of generative AI, emphasizing the need for high-quality, consolidated, and secure data. They also cover some of the challenges of advancing data initiatives (e.g. keeping data projects aligned to business goals, differing perceptions of data quality and usefulness across business departments, etc.)Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel.Blue Margin...
2023-12-27
15 min