Building BI - Data Sources

Building BI - Data Sources

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 (Virtual Only):

You can now check whether a Virtual 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. These suggestions include filters and specify the table to which they should be applied. Add these filters to the WHERE clause of the indicated table. Once done, copy the suggested expression into the appropriate WHERE clause within 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. 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.


Sample Data Preview in Data Sources

The Sample Data Preview allows you to view a subset of data directly from a data source as soon as it is connected. This helps validate available fields, sample values, and calculated columns without needing to create a report first.

The feature is available for both Physical and Virtual Data Sources and supports multiple database types.


How to View Sample Data from a Data Source:

Follow the steps below to preview sample data from an existing data source.

Step 1: Open Data Sources

  1. Navigate to Building BI.

  2. Click on Data Sources.

  3. From the list of available data sources, select the data source you want to inspect (in this case the Energy and Demand with Voltage)


Step 2: Open the Samples tab

  1. At the top of the data source page, locate the tabs (for example: Schema, Samples).

  2. Click on the Samples tab

  3. A table displaying sample records will appear. The table shows:

  • Available fields (columns)

  • Example values from the data source

  1. The preview is read-only and limited to a small number of rows to maintain performance.


Viewing Calculated Columns

  • Calculated columns appear at the end of the sample data table.

  • Click on a calculated column to view its configuration and logic (this allows you to quickly validate calculated fields without creating a report)

The Sample Data Preview makes it easier to understand and validate data sources by allowing you to inspect real sample data directly within the data source configuration. This helps reduce setup time, improves confidence in the data, and supports faster onboarding.