Integrate Anaplan in Power BI

[ninja14127]

Hi community,

Have you guys have any experience integrating Anaplan data model into Power BI? If you do, please share. Our company is planning to integrate Anaplan data soon, and I am just researching for a proof of concept. 

[kjacokes · Accepted solution]

Hi @ninja14127,

Great question!

We've had a customer integrate Anaplan with PowerBI.

There are a handful of options available to you, but as with most integrations, the recommended approach depends on your requirements (refresh rate/availability of data in PowerBI, automation requirements, etc.) and what, if any, ETL tools your organization owns: tools such as HyperConnect/Informatica Cloud, MuleSoft, and SnapLogic.

If there is any sensitivity around sharing this information on the forum, feel free to DM me and we can arrange to continue the conversation offline.

Cheers,

Kevin

Manager

Impetus Consulting Group

[jesse_wilson]

Hello @ninja14127,

Just following up on @kjacokes point, you also have the Azure Gateway (provided you're using the Azure service) to send RESTful requests, and leverage our API without using an ETL tool. This is a more complicated solution in terms of both development and maintenance, but saves you the investment in another tool. Of course, if you're already using a particular tool (Informatica, Mulesoft, Talend, etc) it's best to use that for you Anaplan integration as well. You can also email dataintegrations@anaplan.com with any questions.

Thanks!

[JamesFleming]

Question: would Anaplan connect be able to integrate with Powerbi, with scheduled cadence refresh? And if so, is there any best practice out there that discusses high level how that works.

[kjacokes]

Hi James,

Yes Anaplan Connect can integrate with Power BI. You can do a scheduled cadence refresh, or you could set it up such that you can initiate the data as a "push" from Anaplan, or as a "pull" from PowerBI. We've set it up both ways. The integration relies on Anaplan Connect for the first leg of the journey and the Data refresh functionality in Power BI for the second leg of the journey.

I would be happy to hop on the phone to talk you through how the integration might work, or answer any questions you or your IT group might have about setting up that integration.

Let me know if you have a few minutes to catch up next week and I can take you through it.

Best regards,

Kevin

[jesse_wilson]

Hi @ninja14127,

As Kevin mentioned, you can use Anaplan Connect to extract from Anaplan and land a flat file somewhere, but not interface directly with Power BI or even trigger the refresh of the dataset. You could use another scripted solution to leverage the Power BI API for the latter half.

The most complete solution would be to use Azure to trigger the extract the data, then refresh the dataset.

1. Execute export action.
2. Download "file" from Anaplan.
3. Update Power BI dataset 

Thanks,
Jesse

[JamesFleming]

Hello Kevin,

That would be fantastic, please let me know the best way to get in touch. I have a collegue that I would like to invite as well.

Thanks and Regards

James

[jesse_wilson]

Hi @JamesFleming,

Please feel free to email me to arrange some time to discuss this further. I'm based in Singapore (UTC+8), but am happy to move my schedule around to accomodate.

Best,
Jesse Wilson
Solution Architect - Data Integrations

Singapore

[JamesFleming]

Thanks Jesse

Kevin - Question, Jesse mentions that there cannot be a direct connection between Anaplan Connect and Powerbi, and an additional tool such as Azure is required, unless loading a flat file. Is this the case, or can there be a direct setup between Powerbi and Anaplan connect to have a cadence refresh of the data within Power BI from Anaplan. This direct connection is highly desirable as a solution.

Thanks

James

[JamesFleming]

Hello Kevin,

Would love to discuss direct connection to Powerbi via Anaplan connect. If you possibly have anytime today or next week would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks and Regards

James