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1. Introduction
This document outlines the steps required to setup SYNCHRO 4D Data Connector for Power BI Desktop.
2. Prerequisites
2.1. Power BI Desktop
You will need Power BI Desktop (free BI tool) available from Microsoft at below link:
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/
2.2. Connector File
Download the SYNCHRO Power BI Data Connector file from the below link:
Synchro4DConnector.mez
Copy the downloaded .mez file to the following folder: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors\
*If the above folder does not exist, it will need to be created.
**If your Documents folder is synced to Microsoft OneDrive then the Connector may not appear in Power BI Desktop, this is a known Power BI Desktop issue.
3. Setting up Global Environments
Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to File ⇒ Options and Settings ⇒ Options ⇒ Security ⇒ Data Extensions and "Allow any extension to load without validation or warning". This is necessary to allow use of the external connector.
4. SYNCHRO Control Permissions
To connect and download the data from the tables the user connecting from Power BI Desktop will need the appropriate permissions in the SYNCHRO Control hosted project by going to the project in Control; selecting the “Administration” tab and “Manage your team”.
A user’s role must have the following permissions selected:
Access ⇒ Control
iModel ⇒ Read iModel (Default permission in SYCHRO Control that cannot be removed)
4D Scheduling ⇒ Schedule (Minimum “Read” permission)
5. Using Connector
To connect to a SYNCHRO 4D project you will need the Project ID available from SYNCHRO Control project Administration tab ⇒ Manage project details
In the gray box “Project ID” is listed with a copy button next to the ID:
Click on "Get Data"
Search for "SYNCHRO 4D" in the top left corner search bar, or available through Online Services sub menu.
Select SYNCHRO 4D Connector
Fill in required ProjectId available from address bar of SYNCHRO Control project:
Click on OK once the ProjectId has been entered.
Click on Sign in as different user if you are not signed in and enter your Bentley IMS login details:
Upon sign in, click on Connect button:
Once the connection is made, you will be able to view and select the tables to download:
6. Table Relationships
In order to cross-reference data between the tables, you will need to create relationships between them, primarily connecting GUIDs from relevant tables.
You can do so by going to Modeling ribbon ⇒ Manage relationships:
This is what the tables should look like:
Most relationships will have the Cardinality automatically set, but change the Cross filter direction to Both:
You can also use the Model tab to graphically create/review these relationships.
Task and Resource relationships:
Resource and Resource Group relationships:
Resource and Resource Status relationships:
User Field relationships:
7. Setting a Template
It is possible to set an existing Power BI report as template, which can be reused with data from any other Control project, by creating an editable parameter.
Go to Transform data to open Query Editor:
Go to Home ribbon ⇒ Manage Parameters ⇒ New Parameter:
Create ProjectID parameter as below:
Replace the GUID with ProjectID for all the tables in Query Editor, then click Close & Apply:
Now you can update the ProjectID with any other SYNCHRO Control GUID to update the data on existing visuals and reports:
8. Power BI Report Template
Change the ProjectID parameter and authenticate to access your project data.
https://communities.bentley.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-wikis-components-files/00-00-00-00-22/1616.SYNCHRO-4D-Pro-Template_5F00_v2.pbix
9. Embed Reports in SYNCHRO Control
https://synchro.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/5897175411863-Embed-PowerBI-Reports-In-SYNCHRO-Control