Power BI, Power BI Desktop, Power BI Desktop RS

Power BI Desktop Versions Demystified: Part 1, Power BI Desktop and Power BI Desktop RS

If you are a Power BI power user, you may have wondered: how many versions of Power BI Desktop are there? The quick answer is: it depends!

Depending on your organisation’s preferences, data governance requirements, and the platforms you intend to use for report deployment you may use either Power BI Desktop, the “standard version”, or Power BI Desktop RS (Report Server). Power BI Desktop has variations tailored to meet specific needs, such as cloud-based analytics or on-premises reporting. While many users might only encounter the standard version, there’s another important variant for specialised scenarios.

Power BI Desktop comes in two primary versions:

  1. Power BI Desktop:
    This is the standard version most users rely on. It’s the go-to tool for transforming data, creating semantic models, and building interactive reports. This version is designed to seamlessly integrate with the Power BI Service hosted on Microsoft Fabric, enabling cloud-based sharing, collaboration, and advanced features like Direct Lake, AI-driven insights, and more. Regular updates ensure that this version includes the latest features and innovations, such as new Power Query and DAX functions, enhanced visuals, and cutting-edge integrations.
  1. Power BI Desktop RS (Report Server):
    This is a specialised version of Power BI Desktop designed to work exclusively with Power BI Report Server, a locally hosted reporting platform. It is tailored for organisations that prefer to keep their data and reports on-premises due to regulatory, security, or strategic reasons, avoiding reliance on cloud services like the Power BI Service on Microsoft Fabric. Although the two versions look nearly identical in functionality, they serve distinct purposes. Power BI Desktop RS is specifically aligned with the capabilities of Power BI Report Server, supporting features available up to the latest release cycle of the server. For instance, Power BI Desktop RS updates are less frequent; typically released every few months, in line with Power BI Report Server’s update schedule; making it slightly behind the standard version in terms of cutting-edge features. However, it ensures stability and compatibility for on-premises deployments.

Understanding these differences can help users select the right version for their environment, ensuring they leverage the full potential of Power BI aligned with their organisational needs. Let’s explore the key features and differences in greater detail.

Key Features and Differences

As mentioned earlier, while these two tools have many similarities, they have some fundamental differences. Let’s see what those differences are.

Power BI Desktop (Standard Version)

  1. Cloud Integration
    Power BI Desktop is fully integrated with the cloud-based Power BI Service on Microsoft Fabric, offering seamless publishing, sharing, and collaboration. Once reports are created, they can be easily uploaded to the cloud, enabling features like real-time dashboards, AI-powered insights, and integration with other Microsoft services, such as Teams and SharePoint. This integration is ideal for organisations that prioritise agility and scalability.
  2. Frequent Updates
    Microsoft releases monthly updates to the standard version of Power BI Desktop. These updates often include new visualisation capabilities, performance optimisations, and cutting-edge features like Direct Lake, On-Object Interaction, and enhanced DAX authoring experience such as Visual Calculations and Quick Measures. Staying up-to-date ensures users can leverage the latest advancements to build more effective reports.
  3. Broad Use Case
    This version is designed for a wide range of scenarios, from individual users creating simple reports to large enterprises leveraging advanced analytics and collaboration tools. The broad use case makes it a versatile choice for businesses invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
  4. User Demographics
    Power BI Desktop is the preferred tool for cloud-first users, such as business analysts, data professionals, and organisations looking to take full advantage of Microsoft Fabric’s extensive capabilities, including cross-team collaboration and global accessibility.

Power BI Desktop RS (Report Server Version)

  1. On-Premises Reporting
    Power BI Desktop RS is designed to create reports for Power BI Report Server, an on-premises reporting platform. This version suits organisations prioritising data residency, governance, and security by keeping their data within local infrastructure rather than leveraging cloud services.
  2. Quarterly Updates
    Unlike the standard version, Power BI Desktop RS receives updates every three months. While the slower update cycle means fewer new features, it provides greater stability and ensures compatibility with the Report Server environment.
  3. Simpler Feature Set
    Many features introduced in the standard version, especially those relying on cloud services like AI insights are unavailable in the RS version. This limitation focuses the tool on stability and compatibility for on-premises use cases.
  4. User Demographics
    Industries like finance, healthcare, and government often favour Power BI Desktop RS due to strict regulatory and compliance needs. This version appeals to organisations with sensitive data requiring enhanced control.

When to Use Each Version of Power BI Desktop

Now that we know more about the key differences between these two similar tools, let’s discuss when to use each of which.

When to Use Power BI Desktop (Standard Version)

The standard version shines in scenarios requiring flexibility and advanced cloud features:

  • Cloud-First Organisations: Companies leveraging Microsoft Fabric for collaboration, report sharing, and centralised data storage can maximise the benefits of the standard version.
  • Power Users and Developers: Users needing frequent updates, cutting-edge features, and AI-powered capabilities will find the standard version indispensable.
  • Agile Teams: Teams that adapt quickly to new tools and features thrive on the regular updates and innovations offered by Power BI Desktop.

When to Use Power BI Desktop RS (Report Server)

Power BI Desktop RS is ideal for specific scenarios:

  • Organisations with On-Premises Infrastructure: Businesses with no immediate plans to adopt the cloud can still benefit from Power BI’s capabilities by using Report Server for local reporting.
  • Industries with Compliance Needs: Sectors such as healthcare, banking, and government often face strict regulatory requirements that may mandate local hosting for sensitive data.
  • Long-Term Version Stability: Teams preferring a predictable environment without frequent updates can rely on Power BI Desktop RS for stability and compatibility.

Why Some Organisations Use Both Versions

In certain scenarios, organisations benefit from leveraging both Power BI Desktop and Power BI Desktop RS to address diverse operational needs. This dual approach allows companies to balance innovation, compliance, and user preferences. Below are some common use cases where having both versions can be advantageous:

  1. Hybrid Scenarios: Many organisations operate in hybrid environments, blending on-premises and cloud-based solutions.
  • On-Premises Reports: Sensitive reports, such as financial summaries or regulatory documents, are created using Power BI Desktop RS and hosted on Power BI Report Server to comply with data residency and governance requirements.
  • Cloud-Based Reports: Reports for operational dashboards, sales, or marketing can be created with the standard version and published to the Power BI Service, taking advantage of real-time updates, collaboration, and scalability.

This approach ensures flexibility while supporting a gradual transition to the cloud.

  1. Compliance for Sensitive Data: Regulated industries like healthcare, government, or finance may require strict data control for compliance.
  • Desktop RS: Used for reports containing sensitive data that must remain on-premises.
  • Standard Version: Used for less-restricted reports or exploratory data analysis that doesn’t involve sensitive information.

This separation allows organisations to adhere to compliance requirements without sacrificing innovation in other areas.

  1. Business Continuity Planning: Some organisations adopt both versions as part of their business continuity strategy:
  • Cloud Services Disruption: In case of an unexpected outage or limited cloud accessibility, Power BI Report Server and Desktop RS ensure critical reports remain accessible on-premises.
  • Geographic Data Residency Requirements: For multinational organisations, certain regions may enforce stricter data residency laws. Using Desktop RS for specific regions might make sense to ensure compliance, while the standard version serves areas with fewer restrictions.

This setup reduces risks of disruption and ensures reports align with compliance requirements.

These use cases highlight how adopting both versions of Power BI Desktop can help organisations balance compliance, innovation, and team-specific requirements.

Conclusion

Choosing between Power BI Desktop and Power BI Desktop RS comes down to your organisation’s unique requirements. The standard version provides agility, innovation, and cloud integration, making it ideal for forward-thinking, cloud-first businesses. On the other hand, the RS version offers the stability, security, and compliance necessary for on-premises deployments. In the next blog we will discuss different flavours or the standard version of Power BI Desktop. So stay tuned!

As always, I hope you have learned something new by reading this blog. If you have, do not forget to subscribe and leave your comments below.

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