Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution with strong data management capabilities, but for reporting and business intelligence (BI), users tend to turn to outside tools to extract, analyze, and report their data. Two of the most widely used tools among BC users are Power BI and Jet Reports. Although both are extremely capable, each has different functionalities and serves to meet different reporting requirements.
In this blog, we’ll contrast Jet Reports and Power BI to assist you in determining which one is most appropriate for your reporting strategy in Business Central.
What is Jet Reports?
Jet Reports is an Excel reporting solution specifically designed for Microsoft Dynamics ERP systems, including Business Central. It enables users to produce financial and operational reports against real-time data in BC, right within Microsoft Excel.
Key Features of Jet Reports:
- Designed for finance professionals and Excel users
- Real-time reporting with direct integration to BC
- Pre-built templates for quicker roll-out
- Drag-and-drop report creator (Jet Analytics)
- On-premises and cloud deployment
What is Power BI?
Power BI is Microsoft’s cloud business analytics service that enables interactive visualizations and business analytics through business intelligence. Power BI integrates with Business Central and other sources to create dashboards and reports that provide business insights to departments.
Key Features of Power BI:
- Rich visualizations and interactive dashboards
- Natural language query and AI insights
- Advanced data modeling and transformation
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure
- Cloud-based sharing and collaboration
Side-by-Side Comparison: Jet Reports vs Power BI
| Feature/Area | Jet Reports | Power BI |
|---|---|---|
| Target Users | Finance, accounting, and operational staff | Executives, analysts, management, and all departments |
| Interface | Excel-based | Web and desktop (Power BI Desktop), browser & mobile |
| Data Access | Real-time connection to BC database | Imported or live connection to BC and other sources |
| Report Type | Tabular, financial, static reports | Interactive dashboards, visuals, and drilldowns |
| Ease of Use | Easy for Excel users | Requires training for non-technical users |
| Customization | Limited visual customization | Highly customizable visuals and charts |
| Data Modeling | Basic (Jet Analytics extends this) | Advanced modeling and transformation capabilities |
| Deployment | On-premises or cloud | Cloud-first with desktop authoring |
| Licensing | Subscription-based per user | Freemium model with Pro & Premium tiers |
When to opt for Jet Reports
Jet Reports are perfect if:
- Your team is familiar with Excel and prefers to remain within it.
- You require instant access to financial data with formatting flexibility.
- You need real-time reporting from BC without a complicated setup.
- Your emphasis is on operational or financial reports, including P&Ls, balance sheets, and aging reports.
When to Use Power BI
Power BI is best if:
- You want interactive dashboards and KPIs across departments.
- You need to bring data from multiple sources outside of Business Central together.
- Your company needs advanced analytics, forecasting, or trend analysis.
- You intend to share with executives or external stakeholders.
Can You Use Both?
Yes. Some organizations use Jet Reports for report writing and Power BI for analytical dashboards. Jet Reports addresses the requirements of finance users who require detailed, formatted reports, whereas Power BI addresses decision-makers who seek strategic insights through visuals and trends.
Final Thoughts
Jet Reports and Power BI both offer formidable capabilities for Business Central users. The best fitness will depend on the skill set of your team, what kind of reports you need, and how you will utilize your data. Often, integrating both solutions forms the complete reporting strategy that empowers every level of your business.
Need assistance choosing or implementing the appropriate reporting tool for Business Central? Our experts can lead you to a solution that aligns with your business objectives.
