Peter Nicholson

24 Mar 2024 · 4 min read

Implementing a DW for non-tech people

Discover the essentials of building a data warehouse: aligning IT with business needs, choosing technology, and ensuring compliance. Learn key steps for success and how to bring the company along in the journey.

25 Feb 2024 · 2 min read

IBCS Styled Charts in Power BI

With the February 2024 update to Power BI, we finally got Visual Calculations (blog post coming no doubt), but something that got overlooked were some minor updates to existing visualisations.

25 Feb 2024 · 2 min read

Good Data Visualisation - Who Are IBCS?

We know that data and business intelligence is a company's "gold", but the presentation of data in visualisations is not something that is explicitly taught to

16 Dec 2023 · 2 min read

Jet Reports 101 - Using more than 10 filters in an NL() function

When working with the NL() function, you can apply multiple filters to refine the data you retrieve. However, situations may arise where you need to exceed this limit and apply more than the maximum 10 filters that Jet Reports allows. This is where the FILTERS= special filter comes into play.

19 Nov 2023 · 1 min read

Microsoft Build: AI

Thursday October 19, 2023 I was fortunate enough to attend the first Microsoft Build event that was hosted at the Excel Centre in London, UK. I’d never attended anything

18 Nov 2023 · 4 min read

Keeping the Engine Running: Best Practices for Data Warehouse Maintenance

In every forward-thinking business is a data warehouse, a crucial repository for the vast amounts of data that organisations accumulate. However, much like any piece of infrastructure, a data warehouse requires regular maintenance to function optimally.

12 Nov 2023 · 4 min read

Navigating the World of Generative AI in Business: A Primer for IT Professionals

In a world where technological advancement is not just an asset but a necessity, the advent of generative AI stands as a beacon of transformative power in the business landscape.

11 Nov 2023 · 3 min read

Understanding Large Language Models: A Beginner’s Guide to How AI Understands and Generates Text

Decoding the Language of AI - A Beginner's Journey into Large Language Models Imagine teaching a computer to understand and even speak our language. This might sound like

11 Nov 2023 · 3 min read

Using Your Own Data with Azure OpenAI: A Step-by-Step Guide

The ability to customise AI solutions to your specific needs is not just an advantage, but a necessity. Azure OpenAI, a platform at the forefront of AI innovation, now offers the compelling capability to integrate your own data, opening a realm of personalised AI applications.

Business

5 Nov 2023 · 2 min read

Medallion Architecture: Unmasking the Illusion of Perfection

In the digital world where data is often the lifeblood of decision-making, Medallion Architecture has emerged as a kind of 'knight in shining armour', ready to rescue organisations from the clutches of data disarray. But, not all that glitters is gold.

1 Nov 2023 · 3 min read

Using a pie chart? Boooo!

Pie charts are one of the most widely recognised and frequently used chart types in data visualisation. Despite their popularity, many experts have criticised the use of pie charts, arguing that they are ineffective in communicating information.

Power BI

29 Sep 2023 · 4 min read

Why Power BI Project files are an important step forward for Microsoft

Power BI: Version control for your files. Collaborate, experiment, and track changes with ease. With Power BI’s new file format, you can easily keep track of every modification made to your files, including who made the change and when.

24 Sep 2023 · 5 min read

My Top 10 Power BI 'Best Practice' Tips

Are you looking to get the most out of Power BI? There are a number of steps you can take to ensure success with Power BI. To help you on your journey, I've compiled some of my top tips for getting the most out of this powerful business intelligence tool.

12 Sep 2023 · 5 min read

The Importance of a Date Table in your Data Model

To maximise data analysis capabilities in Power BI, consider creating a dedicated date table in your data model. While Power BI's built-in features are convenient, they have limitations. A separate date table offers flexibility for custom scenarios and deeper insights.

3 Sep 2023 · 1 min read

AZQR: Azure Quick Review

Meet Azure Quick Review (azqr): a tool that scans Azure resources, provides detailed Excel reports, and helps you optimize your setup. Install it on Linux, Mac, or Windows. Simple authentication with Azure CLI or Service Principal. Scan your resources easily.

21 Mar 2023 · 5 min read

An Introduction to DAX

Behind the scenes of Power BI lies a language called Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), which is used to manipulate data within the application. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into DAX and explore how it can help you make better business decisions.

19 Mar 2023 · 3 min read

Jet Reports 101 - Other Features of =NL(Lookup)

We all know that the =NL (Lookup) function is used to pull a list of values from a database, but there's a few features of it that are probably not as often used. Let's take a look.

8 Mar 2023 · 3 min read

Dividing Customers into Four Quartiles Based on Total Revenue Using SQL and AdventureWorksDW2019

Analysing customer revenue is a critical aspect of understanding the performance of any business. In this blog post, we will explore how to use SQL and the AdventureWorksDW2019 database to group customers into four quartiles based on their total revenue.