Are you familiar with using PowerBI to integrate historian data from FT Historian 8.0 (PI database) with other reporting data? I am searching for a reliable data connector for this integration but have yet to receive confirmation from Rockwell on a compatible solution. If you have experience with this integration, your insights would be greatly appreciated.
I am unable to provide information on the PI database as I have no experience using it. Currently, I am storing data in a Microsoft SQL Express DBMS and the client is utilizing PowerBI for report generation without any issues. The data is stored in a simple manner without any special encoding or compression. The query at hand seems to be about how data is stored in the PI database, possibly using proprietary techniques that may hinder PowerBI's ability to read it. If the database is accessible via SQL without special tricks, PowerBI should not require a unique data connector. This question likely pertains to the specific configuration of your PI database rather than PowerBI itself. It is known that products like PI often optimize data storage for space efficiency and faster access. The developers at FactoryTalk may have restrictions on allowing other products to directly access their data. It is recommended to seek more detailed information from others who may be able to provide a more comprehensive answer.
We appreciate your response. Our former historian stored data in an MS SQL database, which could be easily accessed using Excel or Access. However, using PI for data access seems to present its own unique challenges. It may be that Rockwell makes data retrieval more complicated and costly than it needs to be. As a solution, we are considering using Excel with the Pi Datalink add-in as a middleman instead of directly connecting to the Pi database.
I've had a bit of experience combining PowerBI with FT Historian 8.0 data. While there isn't a direct data connector, I've found success by utilizing SQL Server to bridge the two. You can use a linked server, or you can export the data if it's not too large. Alternatively, you might want to explore solutions like OSIsoft PI Integrator for Business Analytics. It connects with PowerBI fairly smoothly and was specifically designed to work with PI databases. This could potentially simplify your data analysis process.
I've had some successful experience integrating FT Historian data into PowerBI. Although I didn't use version 8.0 specifically, the process usually involves exporting historian data into a SQL Server, from where PowerBI can retrieve the data effortlessly. It's a workaround but does the job. Besides, you may want to look into a third-party data connector, such as ZEMA or OPC Router. They can bridge the gap between disparate systems like FT Historian and PowerBI. While it would be ideal for Rockwell to provide a dedicated solution, these temporary workarounds can effectively serve your purpose till then.
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Answer: Yes, it is possible to integrate data from FT Historian 8.0 with PowerBI using a reliable data connector.
Answer: As of now, the user has not received confirmation from Rockwell on a compatible solution. They are still searching for a reliable connector.
Answer: The user is seeking insights and experiences from others who have successfully integrated historian data from FT Historian 8.0 with PowerBI. Any shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.
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