Power BI makes XMLA endpoints (XML for Analysis) available as part of the service in Premium (and Per User - PPU) capacity to allow automation, integration, and control around datasets. Specifically, these endpoints provide some developers direct access to the Analysis Services engine that services Power BI datasets as part of the overall administration and development stack using tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Tabular Editor, or even custom scripting. XMLA allows you to automate tasks ranging from deploying models, updating metadata to refreshing tables or partitions, programmatically.
When you consider how XMLA endpoints can be integrated with DevOps pipelines, you have the building blocks to support CI/CD workflows – where data model changes can be version controlled and deployed automatically across development, test, production, or other relevant environments. There is an option to write your automation scripts in PowerShell or use tasks in Azure DevOps with the goal of streamlining parts of your business intelligence development lifecycle.
If you want to learn how to maximize XMLA for enterprise use cases an excellent Power Bi Course in Pune provides the type of instruction needed. All participants learn how to appropriately configure, secure and use the XMLA endpoints for dataset management, scalability and governance of models.
For those in the Power BI profession position where you have the capabilities to leverage XMLA endpoints to their fullest potential, access to robust automated processes can reduce the manual overhead, and help maintain consistency across deployment options.
