Prerequisites
Setting up Global Environments
SYNCHRO Control Permissions
Using Connector
Table Relationships
Setting a Template
Embed Reports in SYNCHRO Control
Prerequisites
Power BI Desktop
You will need Power BI Desktop (free BI tool) available from Microsoft at the below link:
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/
Connector File
Download the SYNCHRO Power BI Data Connector file below -
SYNCHRO 4D PBI Connector
Copy the downloaded .mez file to the following folder: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors\
If you are using OneDrive, try putting the .mez here: %OneDrive%\Documents\Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors
Note: If the above folder does not exist, it will need to be created
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 the use of the external connector.
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; from under Administration > Manage your team.
A user's role must have the following permissions selected -
Access > Control
iModel > Read iModel (Default permission in SYNCHRO Control that cannot be removed)
4D Scheduling > Schedule (Minimum "Read" permission)
The 4D Project needs to be in v6.5+ in order to read User Field data. This needs to be enabled from SYNCHRO Control > Administration > Manage iModels > Edit > SYNCHRO Sync Settings -
Using Connector
- To connect to a SYNCHRO 4D project you will need the Project ID available from the SYNCHRO Control project Administration tab > Manage project details. In the gray box, Project ID is listed with a copy button next to the ID -
- Open Power BI Desktop and click on Get Data.
- Search for SYNCHRO 4D in the top left corner search bar, or available through the Online Services sub-menu. Select the SYNCHRO 4D Connector.
- Fill in the required ProjectId and click Ok.
- Click on Sign in as a different user if you are not already signed in and enter your Bentley IMS login details -
- Upon signing in, click on Connect button -
- Once the connection is made, you will be able to view and select the tables to download -
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 an example of what the 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
Codes relationships
Setting a Template
It is possible to set an existing Power BI report as a 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.