Count readers as well as authors
Authors build models and publish reports; readers consume them. An author’s entitlement does not automatically cover the audience. List both groups and identify where reports will be published: workspaces, apps and external-user scenarios.
Pro for collaboration
Consider Pro for ordinary publishing and team sharing. Check entitlements for everyone consuming the content, not only the analyst. Assess model sizes and refresh schedules separately: data requirements may matter more than the edition name.
PPU is still per user
Premium Per User enables advanced scenarios but remains a user subscription. Before moving a workspace, check every reader’s entitlement. One PPU license assigned to the author does not create free access for the entire company.
When to compare Fabric capacity
For a large audience or shared analytics platform, compare user licensing with Microsoft Fabric capacity. This is an architecture calculation, not a simple tariff replacement. Capacity SKU, content placement, creator rights and report consumption all matter.
Quote inputs
| Parameter | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Authors and readers | Separate entitlement counts |
| Model count and size | Limits and resources |
| Source refresh | Load and gateway needs |
| External users | Access policy |
Agree metric definitions before building reports. If departments calculate revenue differently, an advanced license will not remove the inconsistency. Implementation needs a data owner, quality controls and access verification.
Verify access with a trial report
Build a small report using representative data without unnecessary personal information. Place it in the planned workspace and test access as an author, ordinary reader and member of another group. Permission mistakes are easier to fix before publishing a financial model.
Record who can export data, modify models and see different departments. For refreshing on-premises sources, check the gateway and account owner. Replacing an analyst should not stop refresh. When considering capacity, request an estimate for the exact SKU and audience: the word “Premium” alone does not describe entitlements. The result should be a report-placement design, user list and operating estimate.
Before deciding
This guide helps prepare questions; it does not replace the supplier’s current specification. Plan contents and program rules can change. Confirm the exact edition and entitlement at the order date, and verify implementation against agreed criteria.