Introduction: Trying to Make Sense of Power BI vs Native Reporting?
If you’re managing data in Microsoft Dynamics 365 or any modern ERP/CRM platform, you’ve probably asked yourself:
“Should I use Power BI or stick with built-in (native) reports?”
This question is more common than you think—and you’re not alone in being confused. Both tools are designed to give you insights, but their use cases, flexibility, and power are quite different.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between Power BI and native reports, and help you decide which one fits your specific needs. We’ll also share how SkySoft Connections can help you implement the right reporting strategy tailored to your organization.
What Are Native Reports?
Native Reports = Built-In Reporting Tools
Native reports are the pre-configured reporting features that come built into most enterprise applications like Dynamics 365, SharePoint, or SQL Server.
These include:
- SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services)
- Dynamics 365 default reports
- Crystal Reports (for SAP environments)
When to use them?
When you need operational or transactional reports for internal workflows.
What is Power BI?
Power BI = Advanced Data Visualization & Business Intelligence
Power BI is Microsoft’s self-service analytics tool that allows users to pull data from multiple sources, visualize trends, and build interactive dashboards.
It is part of the Microsoft Power Platform, meaning it integrates seamlessly with Dynamics 365, SharePoint, Excel, SQL databases, and more.
When to use it?
When you want to analyze trends, track KPIs, or present executive-level insights in a visually engaging format.
Power BI vs Native Reports: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Power BI | Native Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Analytics, dashboards, KPI monitoring | Operational reporting, lists, detailed records |
| Data Sources | Multiple sources (SQL, Excel, APIs, etc.) | Typically single-system data |
| User Interaction | Highly interactive (filters, drill-downs) | Static reports |
| Real-Time Data | Can be live or scheduled refresh | Mostly real-time |
| Visualization | Charts, maps, tables, AI insights | Basic tables and text-based layouts |
| Skill Requirement | Medium (Power BI Desktop, DAX) | Low (once configured) |
| Customization | Extremely flexible | Somewhat rigid |
| Mobile-Friendly | Yes | Limited |
When Should You Choose Native Reports?
Choose native reporting when:
- You need quick, printable reports for internal teams
- You’re dealing with detailed transactional data
- Compliance or regulatory requirements require specific report formats
- You need to embed reports directly in operational screens
Example: You’re in procurement and want a simple list of all pending vendor payments—this is perfect for a native SSRS report.
When Should You Use Power BI?
Use Power BI when:
- You want to analyze data across multiple departments
- Dashboards and real-time monitoring are critical
- You’re preparing monthly/quarterly executive reviews
- You need beautiful, visual storytelling with your data
Example: You’re a sales director who wants to monitor weekly KPIs, conversion funnels, and revenue growth trends across regions—Power BI is your best friend.
Hybrid Approach: Why Not Both?
You don’t need to choose just one. In fact, many organizations use both tools for different scenarios.
Native reports for internal operations
Power BI for strategic decision-making
With proper planning, you can leverage the strengths of each tool, depending on the audience and use case.
How SkySoft Connections Can Help
At SkySoft Connections, we specialize in:
Reporting Strategy Design
We assess your existing systems and help you decide when to use Power BI, when to rely on native reports, and when a hybrid setup works best.
Custom Report Development
Our experts can build custom Power BI dashboards or SSRS reports based on your KPIs, workflows, and compliance needs.
Integration Services
We connect Power BI to various data sources like Dynamics 365, Excel, SQL, Oracle, SharePoint, and third-party platforms.
Training and Support
We don’t just build reports—we train your staff to use them effectively and provide ongoing support to keep your reporting system running smoothly.
Explore Skysoft Power Platform Services
Key Takeaways
- Native reports are great for operational, list-based, and transactional reporting.
- Power BI is best for interactive dashboards, analytics, and decision-making.
- A hybrid strategy offers the best of both worlds—Power BI for visualization, native reports for daily operations.
- SkySoft Connections can help you implement the right solution based on your business goals and user needs.
Read More : entity vs table what dynamics 365 developers must know
Frequently Asked Question
Yes! Power BI connects natively with Dynamics 365, offering real-time dashboards and detailed insights.
Absolutely. Native reports are faster for operational needs and are often easier to generate for day-to-day activities.
Not at all. With some guidance—and training from SkySoft—you can create and manage dashboards without needing to code.
