Beyond dashboards: How LTS Data Point supercharges Power BI limitations for real-time Lean management

Power BI isn't always enough on its own. Discover how Data Point overcomes Power BI’s limitations with real-time tracking, built-in Lean tools, daily management boards, and actionable workflows — making it a powerful alternative or the perfect complementary solution.

Power BI: Powerful, but not the whole picture
Typical challenges teams face with Power BI alone:
What Power BI and LTS Data Point delivers- A quick overview
Does LTS Data Point come ready with the tools I need? Here’s what’s built in
What are the main limitations of Power BI?
Can an Operational Excellence software be used to overcome Power BI limitations?
Power BI vs. LTS Data Point Balanced Scorecard: A practical comparison — and how Data Point solves the gaps
Is Data Point more than a dashboard? Here’s how it works daily

Power BI is an exceptional tool for executive dashboards — but it can’t run your daily operations or solve problems on its own. That’s where LTS Data Point- the digital Balanced Scorecard software steps in.

Beyond visual management, data analysis and report-making, Data Point connects live performance, daily huddles, problem-solving frameworks and real-time action tracking — all in one place.

If you’re already using Power BI, combining it with Data Point- the more advanced version of Power BI tools takes your dashboards from static reports to a connected, daily improvement engine. And if you’re starting fresh, Data Point alone gives you a complete solution — from strategic planning to daily results — without gaps.

Power BI: Powerful, but not the whole picture

What is Power BI? - Power BI, a business analytics service by Microsoft, is a complete reporting solution that offers data preparation, data visualisation, distribution, and management through development tools and an online platform. It aids the users to convert data into interactive dashboards and visual reports.

Power BI is trusted by thousands of businesses worldwide — for good reason:

It pulls together data from multiple systems
It creates powerful visual dashboards and custom reports
It helps senior leaders spot trends and make high-level decisions

BUT: it can’t run daily meetings, actions, and root cause analysis.

Yes, Power BI wasn’t built to manage daily operational control. It can show you what’s happening, but not why it’s happening, who’s fixing it, or whether the actions are on track.

BUT: it can’t run daily meetings, actions, and root cause analysis.

Yes, Power BI wasn’t built to manage daily operational control. It can show you what’s happening, but not why it’s happening, who’s fixing it, or whether the actions are on track.

Looking for a tool built for operations, not just reports? See what LTS Data Point have

Typical challenges teams face with Power BI alone:

Information is often delayed or needs manual updates.
Root cause analysis happens elsewhere — in spreadsheets, emails or meetings.
Action plans get buried in separate tools.
Daily team meetings still rely on whiteboards or disconnected slides.
Accountability and follow-up are hard to track.

What Power BI and LTS Data Point delivers- A quick overview

Key functions	Power BI delivers	Data Point delivers
Data integration	YES	YES
Data visualisation	YES	YES
Data analysis	YES	YES
Daily performance boards	LIMITED	BUILT-IN
Shopfloor huddle boards	LIMITED	BUILT-IN
Task & Action tracking	LIMITED	BUILT-IN
Root cause analysis tools	NO	BUILT-IN
Problem-solving frameworks	NO	BUILT-IN
Project & Improvement tracking	NO	BUILT-IN
Action status monitoring (Live)	NO	BUILT-IN
Executive dashboards	YES	YES
Strategy deployment alignment	LIMITED	BUILT-IN

Legend:

YES — Fully covered
LIMITED — Possible but manual/partial
NO — Not provided
BUILT-IN – Delivered inside with ready workflows and tools

Does LTS Data Point come ready with the tools I need? Here’s what’s built in

Power BI is a powerful blank canvas — it gives you the flexibility to design custom dashboards and reports the way you want them. But with that freedom comes a cost: you have to build the structure, workflows, and tools yourself, often stitching together spreadsheets, add-ons, and manual processes.

Think you need to build your own boards in Data Point? “NO!”. Data Point does the heavy lifting for you. It comes with built-in, proven Lean management frameworks. No need to reinvent the wheel.

BUILT-IN really means:

The tool is there by default, no separate integration needed, you don’t need to build it from the scratch.
It works out-of-the-box, so your team can start using it immediately.
You can adapt it, so it fits your exact Lean, Six Sigma, or strategy approach.

Because every company’s way of working is different Data Point’s frameworks are also customisable:

You can configure what your huddle boards like SQDCP/ SQDIP show — add or remove metrics.
You can adjust Fishbone Diagrams,

6. Custom reports can still have design limits

Another major Power Bi limitation is that, even though it has many charts, creating a deeply customised layout or unusual interactive report often needs workarounds, coding or third-party visuals.

7. Learning curve for DAX and advanced features

Using Power BI for simple charts is easy. But building more advanced models, custom calculations or dashboards needs DAX language skills and experience — which means extra training time for your team.

8. Mobile and tablet usability isn’t perfect

Power BI offers mobile apps, but not every report adjusts neatly to small screens. Some visuals get tricky to navigate on mobiles or tablets — which limits how teams check live data on the shop floor or on the move.

Can an Operational Excellence software be used to overcome Power BI limitations?

Yes, an operational excellence software like LTS Data Point digital balanced scorecard (BSC), especially in the form of advanced software like Data Point, can address several challenges inherent to Power BI limitations. Here's how:

Power BI vs. LTS Data Point Balanced Scorecard: A practical comparison — and how Data Point solves the gaps

Feature category	Power BI limitation	How Data Point solves it
Strategic planning & Execution	Limited built-in tools for strategy mapping — mainly for reporting and dashboards.	Full strategy maps, Hoshin Kanri X-Matrix, Line of sight alignment, Objective flow charts, clear goal alignment and execution tracking.
Communication & Collaboration	No native boards for daily huddles or tier meetings — relies on static dashboards or Teams.	Interactive digital huddle boards, tiered meetings, live updates and built-in RCA tools for real engagement.
Performance management	Visualises performance but lacks workflows for actions and daily progress tracking.	Tracks live KPIs, links targets to tasks, and updates status automatically.
Customisation & Industry fit	Flexible visuals, but no ready-made Lean or manufacturing boards.	Comes with SQCDP, 5S, Gemba, Obeya and other Lean boards — ready to adapt to your processes.
Data integration	Handles multiple data sources but lacks direct shopfloor/MES/ERP plug-and-play links.	MES, ERP and shopfloor integration for live boards and accurate KPIs.
Real-time monitoring	Real-time depends on refresh limits and licensing — can create delays or stale data.	Fully live updates, automatic sync, and up-to-date shop floor visibility.
KPI management & tracking	Requires manual setup for each KPI; no built-in strategy link.	Built-in Balanced Scorecard framework with KPI models connected directly to strategy.
Reporting & Analytics	Strong reporting and AI — but not linked to daily actions or follow-up.	Connect reports to daily boards, tasks and problem-solving tools in one place.
Data visualisation	Advanced dashboards — but generic, no industry-specific Lean templates.	Industry-specific boards and dashboards for SQCDP, Safety, Quality, Delivery, and more.
Mobile access	Mobile dashboards are often read-only, with limited interactivity.	Fully interactive boards, updates and tasks on any device — ideal for shop floor and remote teams.
Project & Task management	No native tools for project tracking, tasks, or RCA follow-up.	Built-in project tracking, task assignments, corrective actions, and escalation.
Process optimisation	No built-in Lean frameworks or CI tools.	Includes PDCA cycles, Kaizen tracking, RCA, and other continuous improvement features.
Learning curve	Needs advanced DAX skills, custom coding, and training for complex dashboards.	Ready-made templates, no coding needed — easy for teams to use and maintain.

Is Data Point more than a dashboard? Here’s how it works daily

Data-Management-Across-Organisational-Levels

For many organisations, visualising results is only part of the story, the limitation of Power BI starts here. True improvement happens when teams can see why results look the way they do, agree on what to fix, and track actions until problems are solved — all in real time, right where work happens.

This is where Data Point, your digital Balanced Scorecard and Lean performance platform, bridges the gap.

Data Point is designed to handle what Power BI can’t:

Live connectivity:

It connects to your existing systems (Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Projects) and streams real-time KPIs into easy-to-read visual boards.

Daily operational boards

Whether it’s SQDCP boards, custom Balanced Scorecards, Gemba boards or team-specific displays, Data Point makes daily performance visible and actionable.

Tracks daily tasks & problems

Beyond showing performance, Data Point breaks it down — recording each issue, assigning clear owners, deadlines, and corrective actions. Teams always know what’s open, what’s next, and who’s responsible.

Built-in lean tools:

From Hoshin Karni X matrix, Fishbone Diagrams, CAPA (Corrective and preventive action plan) to Lean daily management

If Power BI alone make limitations, what about integrating Power BI and Data Point?

How-to-Use-Power-BI-and-Data-Point-Together

All the gaps above don’t mean you need to replace Power BI — you just need the right partner to make it work harder for your daily operations. Because you may already invest in Power BI but later comes up with the Power BI limitations.

No worries, keep it! Data Point can overcome its limitations so you can manage your daily operations, solve problems on the spot and feed fresh, trustworthy KPIs straight back to your Power BI dashboards.

It’s not about choosing one or the other — it’s about connecting the shopfloor to the boardroom, so you don’t just measure performance, you improve it every day.

Keep Power BI — Supercharge it with Data Point

Yes — Power BI can absolutely be integrated into Data Point’s live, interactive boards.

Here’s how it works in practice:

Keep Power BI to stay as your big-picture executive dashboard.
Use Data Point to handle the live daily performance boards, SQDCPs, huddle boards, root cause tools, problem solving tools and action tracking.
Data Point can embed Power BI visuals inside its boards — so teams see big-picture KPIs alongside their daily live updates, tasks and status in one place.
Run structured problem-solving on the spot with Fishbone Diagrams, 8D, Quad Charts — all built into Data Point and fully linked to actions and tasks. No need to build this from scratch in Power BI.

Or the other way around: Bring Power BI visuals straight into your Data Point boards — or push Data Point’s live data back up to Power BI. Data Point’s real-time KPIs and actions can feed back into Power BI, keeping your executive dashboards up to date with trusted frontline data.

The result?

One loop for action and accountability - Power BI shows what’s happening; Data Point drives what needs to be done about it. Together, they close the gap between insight and daily improvement.

No lost investment — only more ROI. Companies that combine Power BI and Data Point get the best of both: world-class analytics plus live operational control.

How it works: Power BI + Data Point in one connected loop

1. Data flows in

Live shopfloor data — production, quality, maintenance, KPIs — is captured automatically in Data Point.

2. Data Point runs daily ops

Teams use Data Point’s built-in boards and tools (SQDCP, Huddles, Action Tracking, Root Cause Analysis) to run meetings, solve problems, and update progress — in real time.

3. Insights feed Power BI

Verified, up-to-date data from Data Point flows straight into your Power BI dashboards — so leaders see the true performance picture, not old numbers.

4. Power BI visuals support strategy

Power BI brings the big-picture view — scorecards, trends, executive summaries — so top-level strategy stays connected to daily reality.

5. Teams stay in sync

Teams display key Power BI charts inside Data Point boards — so daily huddles and tier meetings stay focused on live targets and actual data, not static slides.

Know more about LTS Data Point Balanced Scorecard; the Power BI alternative or co-partner

Data Point Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a tried and tested framework for organisational success. Digital Balanced Scorecard, the advanced version of traditional BSC aims to align business activities to the vision and strategy of the business, improve internal and external communications, and monitor business performance against strategic goals.

The Data Point Balanced Scorecard is ideal for:

Companies across various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, banking, electronics, aerospace, energy, FMCG, and retail
Organisations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises
Businesses requiring advanced visualisation tools, strategic management process and detailed reporting
Automating scheduling and risk identification
Easy setup and quick learning for users
Supporting enterprise-wide deployment

Enterprise features Data Point provides on demand

Apart from the solutions and features we’ve already covered; Data Point also provides on-demand capabilities tailored to your specific needs.

X-Matrix for strategic planning & Tracking
Project & Capex tracking
Takt time tracking
Production planning module
Short interval control board
Production line, area, cell, workstation & Shift configs
Operator, supervisor & Quality data capture screens

Bring your Power BI to life with Data Point

Power BI is excellent at showing you where you stand — but making improvements stick needs more than charts and dashboards. Data Point picks up where Power BI stops. With built-in Lean tools, daily huddles, problem-solving boards and real-time tracking, you get a connected system that turns insights into action — every single day.

If you already use Power BI, keep it — and extend its value with Data Point. If you don’t, Data Point alone gives you a complete framework to align people, strategy and daily operations in one place.

Ready to see what LTS Data Point can do for your teams?

Get in touch with us today and take the next step toward true continuous improvement.

Your questions, answered!

Is there a better tool than Power BI?

Power BI is excellent for data visualisation, but it is not designed for real-time operational control. Tools like LTS Data Point fill this gap by supporting live updates, actions and Lean management workflows.

What are the main limitations of Power BI for daily operations?

Power BI cannot capture live shopfloor data, run Lean boards, manage actions, or support daily reviews. It mainly shows dashboards, not daily operational activities.

Can I use Power BI and LTS Data Point together?

Yes. Many companies use both. Power BI handles analytics while Data Point manages real-time operations and Lean activities.

Can LTS Data Point integrate with existing BI tools such as Power BI, Tableau or Qlik?

Yes. Data Point can connect with external BI tools so teams can continue using their preferred analytics platforms.

Is LTS Data Point customisable based on company structure and processes?

Yes. You can configure teams, departments, boards, KPIs, workflows and access levels to match your organisation.

Does LTS Data Point offer cross-platform or mobile accessibility?

Yes. Data Point works on desktops, tablets and mobile devices so teams can access information from anywhere.

Is any training required to use LTS Data Point?

No need to spend a lot of time for training. The system is straightforward, and most users learn the basics within a short time.

How long does it take to set up and deploy Data Point?

Deployment is quick. Most organisations are fully set up within a few days to a couple of weeks depending on complexity.

Does Data Point replace MES or ERP systems?

No. It complements them. Data Point focuses on Lean management, KPIs, actions and daily control, while MES/ERP handle production and transactional data.

Can Data Point automate action tracking and follow-up?

Yes. Data Point sends reminders, tracks ownership, escalates delays and updates status automatically.

How does Data Point support daily, weekly and monthly reviews?

It provides built-in boards and dashboards for each review cycle, helping teams track performance, actions and progress in real time.

Is Data Point suitable for small and medium-sized businesses?

Yes. It is scalable and works well for SMBs and large enterprises by adapting to different levels of complexity.

Explore our latest insights

Does Power BI have any limitations? Even though Power BI is a versatile tool for analysis and visualisation, it has many limitations. As we’ve already talked about some of the challenges and what it lacks to give you the complete, connected view of your business, here are the real limitations of Power BI that often hold teams back from turning insights into real, daily improvements.

1. Struggles with large data sets and heavy reports

Power BI can face performance drops when working with huge data volumes or multiple layered dashboards. Reports can take longer to load or update, which slows down decision-making.

2. Confusing versions, licences and setup options

Power BI isn’t just one product — it comes in versions like Pro, Premium and Embedded, with other components each with different features, user caps and prices. This makes it harder for teams to pick the right one, plan budgets, and set up permissions. Hence, the users need to spend more energy and time to set up and figure out the function. Also, the multi-tiered licensing system makes it more complex.

3. Limited integration outside the Microsoft Ecosystem

Power BI works best inside Microsoft’s world (Excel, Azure, SharePoint). Bringing in data from non-Microsoft apps or older legacy systems can need extra connectors or technical work.

4. Restricted data sharing for external or wider teams

Sharing dashboards outside your core team — with partners, customers or wider audiences — often means buying extra licences or hitting sharing limits, which can block smooth collaboration.

Your dashboards don’t always update live. How often they refresh depends on the licence and data source. Basic plans allow only a few scheduled refreshes a day — which means you might not see today’s numbers in real time.

Still struggling with Power BI gaps? See how Data Point has endless solutions

Let Data Point turn your plans into measurable daily actions.

Power BI shows the story — Data Point helps you change it. Step into real-time operations with Data Point

, Process flows and VSM , and Quad Charts — teams don’t just see problems, they can tackle them directly in the platform.

Data Point isn’t just for managers — it’s designed for daily operator huddles, shift handovers, and team stand-ups. Everyone, from the shop floor to supervisors, uses the same live information to stay focused on what matters now.

Data Point keeps every action plan alive — you can see the status (Not Started, Planned, Ongoing, Completed), owners, deadlines, and progress — without switching between systems.

Designed for daily stand-ups, tiered meetings and continuous improvement culture — not just reporting but doing.

Because Data Point ties real-time data to daily actions and goals, everyone is working towards the same targets — from operators on the shop floor to executives viewing dashboards in Power BI. No duplication. No lost actions. No guesswork.