Building BI - Data Sources

In order for Building BI to calculate and display data, it needs a Data Source. This is where all metrics, calculations, and columns originate from. Because of this, the Data Source section exists to define what data Building BI can use and how it can be used.

Within Building BI, there are two types of Data Sources:

1. Physical Data Sources

2. Virtual Data Sources

Each Data Source comes with its own set of columns, metrics, and calculation options. This allows you to tailor your dashboards, graphs, and charts based on the specific data you want to work with.

The Data Source feature in Building BI allows you to view and edit the sources used for metrics, SQL scripts, and other calculations. Every Data Source provides a variety of Columns that can be used in metrics, filters, and other dashboard logic.

You can also add new Data Sources directly in Building BI:

1. Go to Building BI → Data Sources

2. Click Add Data Source
   
   
   

3. Choose between Physical or Virtual, and configure the Database Type, Schema, Table, Display Name, and any other required details.
   

Optimization of Data Sources:

You can now check whether a Data Source is optimized. Optimization is important because unoptimized Data Sources can:

• Take longer to load

• Produce errors with large datasets

• Cause similar performance issues

In KODE OS, you can use AI assistance to optimize Data Sources.

Why: If the Data Source is optimized, dashboards will load faster and perform more smoothly, reducing delays or errors with large datasets

Steps to optimize a Data Source:

1. Navigate to Building BI → Data Sources (at the bottom of the page).

2. Select the Data Source you want to optimize (e.g., Energy And Demand with Voltage).
   
   
   

3. At the top, you may see a warning that says "Not Optimized". Click the 3 dots in the top right, then select "Edit Details".
   
   
   

4. In the window that opens, go to SQL Expression.
   
   
   

5. You will see the current SQL Expression and, below it, AI-generated suggestions for optimization. Copy the suggested expression, paste it into the SQL Expression field, and click Save.
   
   
   

6. After saving, the platform will automatically start checking the Data Source for optimization.

Another Way to Check if a Data Source Isn’t Optimized:

1. Navigate to Building BI → Collection & Dashboards.

2. Select the dashboard you want to edit (e.g., Standard Overrides Report).

3. Click Edit Dashboard in the top right corner.
   

4. Click on one of the charts (e.g., Overridden Points By Device Type).

5. 
   
   

6. On the right side, in the Setup panel, open the Data Source dropdown. Here, you will see all Data Sources that are not optimized.
   

Column Usage of Data Sources:

Each Data Source provides a variety of Columns that can be used in metrics, filters, and other calculations
within Building BI dashboards. In some cases, certain Columns may not be used anywhere in the Dashboards,
therefore we can review and optimize the Data Source to keep it clean and efficient.

Steps to check Column Usage:

1. Navigate to Building BI → Data Sources (at the bottom of the page).

2. Select the Data Source you want to optimize (e.g., Energy And Demand with Voltage).
   
   
   

3. Click the 3 dots in the top right, then select "Check Column Usage".
   
   
   

4. A window will pop up showing all columns, including calculated fields and metrics. Click Check.
   
   
   

5. Columns that aren’t used will display "Unused" in the Usage column. You can then delete them if desired.