Power BI & More

Customer Insights with Matt Wittemann Sep 01, 2019

This episode has been brought to you by KingswaySoft.

The new Customer Insights with Matt Wittemann.

Dynamics 365 and CRM legend Matt Wittemann joins the podcast to discuss the Customer Insights solution that was made generally available recently.

Customer Insights have been in preview for a few years. During this time they have been some iterations of the solution, features have come and gone, and has now landed on a solution tailored to analyzing customer profiles and people using varying data sources. Listen in as we go through the feature set, to get clarity on who this product is for, and why it’s great solution for those companies.

You can read more about Customer Insights on Matt Wittemann’s blog here https://mattwittemann.com/

And the documentation from Microsoft. https://dynamics.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/customer-insights/

Don’t forget to follow Matt on Twitter @MattNC

Matt and Ulrik make unsupervised product recommendation engines Jul 09, 2019

This episode is brought to you by by Maplytics by Inogic. Data Scientist Matt Lamb and Microsoft MVP Ulrik Carlsson discusses how you create product recommendation engines. A separate discipline in data science, combining content filtering and collaborative filtering, to do targeted product recommendations is not only more difficult, but possibly also one of the most lucrative. Episode also includes in discussions on: Combining advanced customer profiling with transactional data.

Matt talks to his new product PinPoint, a product recommendation engine for the Aftermarket
How Content Filtering and Collaborative Filtering combined can make for advanced product recommendations
Why Ulrik doesn't like continued recommendations from Amazon to buy smoke detectors when they perfectly well know he already has two (and how to tune your algorithm to avoid annoying your customer).
Possible data science urban legend on Target identifying teenage pregnancies before concerned parents of pregnant teen knows about it.
Will Matt this time give a concrete answer to the question on how many records are needed to get good results from these algorithms?

Links: PinPoint for Aftermarket

Predictions and Analytics on Field Service May 02, 2019

This episode is brought to you by D365UG.

Matt Lamb joins Ulrik Carlsson again to talk about the use of data science in Field Service implementations and why Field Service implementations are particularly interesting. The wealth of data can be used for both advanced machine learning scenarios to predict failures, creating advanced DAX formulas in Power BI to optimize Work Order scheduling, and why you might want to create your own ranking of Work Order as opposed to what is delivered out-of-the-box.

Topics discussed:

What’s special about Field Service?
Telemetry and IoT data
Vibrations as a predictor
Regression algorithms and Binary Classifications
Service Level Agreements
The Weighted Average Optimization Equation

Embedded experience and Power BI April 2019 Update Apr 07, 2019

In this episode (brought to you by KingswaySoft), Ulrik Carlsson talks about changes to the experience of embedding Power BI in Dynamcis 365 and what is new in the April 2019 update for Power BI Desktop.

Discussed in this episode:

Changes to embedded experience
Making your embedded reports visually match d365
Licensing implications
Security implications
Embedded reports and change management
April updates for Power BI Desktop
- Updates to PowerApps visuals
- Automatically refreshing the data set
- Key influencer visuals
- Data Flows are leaving preview
- Pervasive artificial intelligence

Got any questions for the chart guy? Send them to voice@crm.audio.

Power BI & More: Is your Power Platform data ready for Data Science/Machine Learning? Mar 16, 2019

In this episode (brought to you by mscrm-addons.com), Matt Lamb, Data Science and Commercial Analytics Lead at eLogic, rejoins the podcast to discuss what we need from our Dynamics 365 implementation when stepping into Machine Learning and AI. What do we need from our Dynamics 365 data in terms quantity and completeness to get effective results? What are the ways to deal with incomplete and what consequences does it have on your Machine Learning results when you make even simple updates to your business processes. In order to create a record set to use as a base for Machine Learning, you may not need as many records as you think, but need to strike the right balance of quantity and quality.

In this episode we discuss:

o How many records are really needed for effective machine learning?

o What structure and maturity level of data is needed?

o Supervised vs. Unsupervised Learning

o How many people does Matt’s dog need to meet?

o What happens with your algorithms when you make changes to your business process?

o Tips to make your data scientist happy

Got questions or suggestions for future episode? Email voice@crm.audio.

This episode is a production of Dynamic Podcasts LLC.

Data Science with Matt Lamb Feb 12, 2019

In this episode (brought to you by D365UG), Ulrik interviews Matt Lamb, Data Science and Commercial Analytics Lead at eLogic

Matt Lamb joins the podcast to discuss his work and background as a Data Scientist and shed some light on what a full-time Data Scientist actually does and what skills are required. Find out how a data scientist defines the term AI and how that relates to the various disciplines of machine learning, deep learning, and statistics. Also, what can data science add to your solutions now that Microsoft is adding out-of-the-box AI features to Dynamics 365.

Data Scientist background and training
What is AI vs Machine Learning, Neural Networks, and Statistics
The three work areas of the data scientist
AI in Dynamics 365 vs a Data Scientist.

Got feedback or suggestions for a future episode? Email voice@crm.audio

Links

Matt Lamb blog posts: https://elogic.com/Blog/PID/473/authorid/31/AuthorName/Matt-Lamb

Dynamics 365 interactive charts and dashboards Jan 07, 2019

In this episode (brought to you by D365UG), Joel Lindstrom and Ulrik Carlsson discus what you need to know about Interactive charts and dashboards in Dynamics 365 Unified Interface.

Topics discussed in this episode:

What can you do with interactive dashboards that you can't do with classic UI dashboards?
Drill down filters
Dashboard date filters
Single vs. multiple streams
Entity level dashboards
Number of widgets on a dashboard
Specifying color of option set values in charts
Advanced chart editing limitations

Got feedback or suggestions for a future episode? Email voice@crm.audio

Security and User Adoption Reporting Dec 19, 2018

In this episode (brought to you by D365UG), Ulrik and Joel discuss some questions that Ulrik got from recent presentations at Extreme365.

Leveraging Dynamics 365 security in PowerBI
FetchXML vs oData for deep queries
FetchXMLData limits
Option sets and the value of the CDS connector
Reporting on Dynamics 365 user adoption

Got feedback or suggestions for a future episode? Email voice@crm.audio.

Introducing Dataflows with Scott Sewell Oct 10, 2018

The Captain is back in this episode (brought to you by D365UG).

Scott Sewell returns to share his excitement about a new feature of Power BI called dataflows, which allows you ingest, transform, integrate, and enrich data into PowerBI using a Common Data Model compliant data lake.

Scott and Ulrik discuss:

What are dataflows
How can they improve your performance for large datasets?
Working with dataflow data lake
What does this mean for the Dynamics export service?

We also look ahead to next week's D365UG and PBIUG Summit in Phoenix, AZ and where you can catch us presenting.

This episode is a production of Dynamic Podcasts LLC. Subscribe to the CRM Audio network of podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

What's new in the August 2018 update Aug 28, 2018

This episode is brought to you by D365UG.

Today Ulrik and Joel discuss what's new in the August 2018 Update for Power BI Desktop.

Topics discussed:

Export to PDF
Charticulator
Color themes and conditional formatting
New workspaces
Composite models--combining direct query and imported data
N:N relationships

Links:

Power BI Oct '18 Release Notes Aug 07, 2018

In this episode (brought to you by KingswaySoft), Ulrik and Joel go through the October '18 release notes for Power BI and analytics.

Topics discussed:

October '18 release notes for Power BI
Embedded Power BI visuals in Dynamics 365 forms
SSRS reports in unified interface and mobile
Preview feature--run SSRS reports from Power BI Premium
Deeper PowerApps integration with Power BI
CDS connector for Power BI--get your labels
Enhancements to links in Power BI dashboards
Power BI in Dynamics 365 portals
What are data flows
PowerQuery in CDM
Intellisense in PowerQuery
What happened to CDS-A
What happened to Customer Insights
Predictive lead scoring

Update your oData connection Jul 03, 2018

This episode is brought to you by Maplytics by Inogic.

In this episode, Ulrik talks about the exciting changes in the June update to Power BI Desktop. For Dynamics 365 users, the biggest change is that the V9 oData endpoint is now supported. Ulrik fills us in on some new parameters that need to be populated when updating your 8.2 reports and dashboards to use the v9 oData endpoint.

Ulrik also discusses some recent updates to his Power Query Builder for XrmToolBox.

This episode is a production of Dynamic Podcasts LLC. Subscribe to the CRM Audio network of podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

PowerApps in Power BI Jun 18, 2018

In this episode (sponsored by d365UG), Ulrik announces the beta of a new tool for XrmToolBox to help you build Power Query queries and also talks about how and why you should embed canvas PowerApps in your Power BI dashboards.

Links in this episode:

Power Query Builder for XrmToolBox: https://www.xrmtoolbox.com/plugins/PowerQueryBuilder/
Ulrik's video of the Power Query Builder: https://crmchartguy.com/power-query-builder/
Embed PowerApps in Power Bi: https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/embed-an-app/

Analyzing sales and business process data Jun 07, 2018

This episode is brought to you my Maplytics by Inogic.

Gus Gonzalez joins us to talk about D365 Saturday Atlanta. There's still time to register for the free event.

For this episode's main event, Ulrik discusses analyzing business process flow data, such as sales pipeline data.

Time per stage
Sales velocity
Sales trends over time

Ulrik also talks about preview features that allow you to extend the business process flow entity, and how adding additional fields and relationships can help simplify your sales reporting.

Questions from the world tour and CDS for Analytics May 24, 2018

This episode of Power BI & More is brought to you by Maplytics by Inogic.

Ulrik is back from the Chart Guy world tour, and in this episode, he answers some questions that were asked by attendees of Dynamics 365 Saturday in Australia. Topics include:

Dynamics 365 security with Power BI
Data Export Service
Dynamics 365 Content Packs for Power BI
Using PowerBI with augmented reality
Reporting on duplicate detection rules with Power BI
Incremental sync with Power BI
Common Data Service for Analytics
Customer Insights

Links in this episode:

Duplicate Detection Rules Chart in Dynamics 365: https://crmchartguy.com/2018/05/20/duplicate-detection-rules-chart-in-dynamics-365/ Guy in a Cube video about CDS for Analytics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQ0HLNZ06A

Enhanced D365 hyperlinks and hidden entities May 02, 2018

This episode is sponsored by D365UG.

This week Ulrik talks about his upcoming world tour, and what you can hear him present at an upcoming Dynamics 365 Saturday near you.

Topics discussed on this episode:

Enhancing Dynamics 365 links in Power BI to create new records
Running SSRS reports from Power BI Premium
Performance of the Data Export Service
Accessing hidden Dynamics tables with Power BI
Sales Insights
Model Driven Power Apps

GDPR and Q&A Linguistic Schema Apr 17, 2018

This episode is brought to you by KingswaySoft.

Ulrik talks about what to consider regarding GDPR and your Power BI dashboards. To help you, Microsoft has recently published a GDPR white paper for Power BI.

We also discuss the Q&A Linguistics Schema and how you can use it to allow users to ask real language questions of data.

Plus, if you missed it, check out Ulrik's chart week posts on CRM tip of the day.

What's new with the Dynamics 365 Data Export Service Apr 04, 2018

This episode is brought to you by Maplytics by Inogic.

Last year we had an episode about the Dynamics 365 Data Export Service, and much has changed since then. In this episode, Ulrik Carlsson and guest host Shawn Tabor discuss what you need to know about the DES.

Topics discussed:

What is data export service?
How frequently does the DES update?
Setting up the DES
Azure Key Vault
Using the Powershell cmdlets
DES impact on performance
Cost of DES in Azure consumption
Licensing requirements for DES
Dealing with security
How DES tables are related
Working with DES exported data in Power BI
Options for moving exported data on premises
Data Export Service tradeoffs and limitations
Multiple languages and DES
Direct query vs. import in Power BI

Data security in Power BI Mar 20, 2018

In this episode (sponsored by Ingenius), Ulrik talks about strategies for securing Dynamics 365 data in Power BI. How can you mimic CRM security in Power BI, and what is the challenge for shared records? We also come up with a reason that Gus should buy Ulrik a Hololens.

This episode is a production of Dynamic Podcasts LLC. Subscribe to the CRM Audio network of podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

CRM Power BI Viewer with Trond Aarskog Mar 07, 2018

This episode is sponsored by KingswaySoft.

Episode Description

Earlier on the podcast, we discussed how Power BI dashboards and reports could be added to Dynamics 365 personal dashboards. However, until now there has not been any easy way to add Power BI to system dashboards and record forms. Until now.

Trond is a Norway based solution/application architect, and he has solved these limitations with the CRM Power BI Viewer. This solution is solution aware and allows you to add Power BI reports and dashboards to Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement forms and system dashboards.

Links

Trond Aarskog on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarskog/
Power BI viewer: http://crm-powerbi-viewer.heiigjen.com/

Dynamics 365 Charts Feb 21, 2018

This episode is sponsored by KingswaySoft.

This week is a "more" week, as we talk about Dynamics 365 charts--when you should use them, the easiest way to edit them, and what you need to know about UCI charts.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Benefits of using D365 charts
When to use D365 charts instead of Power BI
XrmToolBox Advanced Chart Editor
Should you design charts as user charts or system charts?
Web UI charts vs. Unified Client Interface (UCI) interactive charts
Using the right chart type for the job
Using FetchXML Builder with the Advanced Chart Editor

Getting Dynamics 365 data into Power BI Feb 08, 2018

This episode is sponsored by Maplytics™ by Inogic.

In this episode, Ulrik talks about the many ways to get Dynamics 365 data into Power BI:

Direct connection
Odata connection (old and new)
Json
FetchXML

We also talk about ways to get option set labels into Power BI.

Links:

FetchXML Builder: http://fxb.xrmtoolbox.com/

CRM Viking's blog: http://www.crmviking.com/2018/01/how-to-retrieve-odata-v4-fast-in-power.html

The passing of the laces Jan 23, 2018

In this episode (sponsored by CRMUG), we announce the new host for the podcast, Ulrik Carlsson. Ulrik is well known as the CRM chart guy, and he is looking forward to sharing his knowledge about analytics, Power Bi, and Dynamics 365 charts with podcast listeners.

Topics discussed in this episode:

What's next for Scott Sewell
Customer Insights and how it relates to Power BI
The future of Power BI and Power Apps
Interactive dashboards in Dynamics 365 v9

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