Manufacturing
BI Migration
2024
7 min read
Migrate Qlik Sense to Power BI: Global Manufacturing Case Study
Industry
Industrial Manufacturing
Operations
50+ Countries
Scale
Hundreds of Dashboards
Platform
Power BI · Azure
A global industrial equipment manufacturer had built its entire BI function on Qlik Sense across 50+ countries. When leadership decided to migrate Qlik Sense to Power BI as part of a Microsoft Azure strategy, the complexity was exceptional - hundreds of customised dashboards, heterogeneous data sources, and a strict zero-disruption requirement. Numlytics delivered complete Qlik to Power BI migration services with 100% dashboard parity and zero data loss.
The Challenge: Complex Qlik Sense Environment
The decision to replace Qlik with Power BI was clear - but executing it was not. Years of accumulated Qlik customisation (set analysis, alternate states, master items, extensions) created a migration challenge that required deep expertise in both platforms simultaneously.
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Complex Qlik data models: Highly customised associative data models required full analysis and re-engineering in Power BI's DAX-based architecture
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Qlik-specific features: Set analysis, alternate states, and custom extensions had no direct Power BI equivalents - each required bespoke DAX solutions
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Heterogeneous data sources: SQL Server, Oracle, SAP, Excel, CSV, and web services all feeding Qlik - each needing validation before migration
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50+ country rollout: Business users across multiple continents needed to continue working without interruption throughout the migration
The Numlytics Solution:
Numlytics applied its proven Power BI migration consulting methodology - five structured phases, each gated before proceeding, ensuring that every Qlik capability was matched or exceeded in Power BI before any user-facing change was made.
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Assessment & Full Documentation
Every Qlik data model, dashboard, data source, expression, and custom feature was documented by Numlytics before any Power BI work began - creating a complete migration inventory. This is the critical first step in any migrate Qlik Sense to Power BI engagement.
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Data Preparation & Model Redesign
Data sources consolidated and optimised. Data models redesigned and normalised using Power Query and SSIS, then deployed to Azure SQL Database and Azure Analysis Services with ADF-managed refresh - solving the Qlik Sense Power BI comparison architecture challenge.
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Power BI Report Development
All dashboards were rebuilt in Power BI Desktop following Microsoft best practices. Each report was tested and validated against the original Qlik output for accuracy, performance, and visual fidelity. Set analysis re-engineered as DAX calculated measures.
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Deployment & Security
Reports are published to the Power BI Service, organised into workspaces and apps. Row-level security configured using Azure Active Directory - replacing Qlik's section access model.
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Training & User Adoption
Comprehensive training delivered across 50+ countries. Feedback collected, issues resolved, and iterative enhancements implemented to drive adoption and ensure the replacement of Qlik with Power BI initiative delivered lasting value.
The Results
100%
Dashboards Migrated
All Qlik Sense reports recreated in Power BI with equal or better fidelity
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Licensing Cost
Significant saving switching from Qlik Sense to Power BI per seat
50+
Countries Live
Global rollout with zero disruption to business users
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Data Governance
Centralised, standardised data model improved consistency across all regions
Technology Stack
Frequently Asked Questions
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