Power BI doesn’t work directly with UKG Pro/UltiPro. However, there are ways to leverage your staff’s Power BI skills. Let’s summarize our main recommendations first and then dive into the details.

Update: If you’re interested in a pre-built and easily extended solution, check this out.

1. You need to learn People Analytics. There is no practical way to copy all the data you need to Power BI.
2. If you use Power BI as your general enterprise tool, it makes sense to use it for data of general interest. For example, folks throughout your organization are interested in payroll hours, amounts, and particularly overtime so that data is a great candidate for Power BI. In contrast, everyone shouldn’t have access about which benefits plans people sign up for.
3. We rely on the reports as a service API as the best way to extract data for integration with other tools.

Now, for some details.

You need to learn People Analytics

Like any HCM/Benefits/Payroll System, UKG Pro/UltiPro has LOTS of data. The data model is huge and only some of it is covered by the available APIs. So, for all those HR specific reports, you’ll want to be doing your work in People Analytics aka Cognos BI. Whether finding out who’s enrolled or not enrolled, who’s eligible for a bonus based on the latest crazy logic, or who should be included on a given government form, you need to work with People Analytics.
Unfortunately, its not easy to find information on Cognos on the internet. You’ll definitely need to take advantage of all training UKG provides. And that’s why we blog on tips and tricks on a regular basis.

Extracting Data for General Reporting in Power BI

Reports as a Service is the best way to extract data which you can then pull into Power BI.

There are many APIs available with UltiPro/UKG Pro. Here’s a blog post with a full example – we’re happy to send you the sample code. However, while there are lots of APIs, they aren’t designed to provide ALL data you might need. Especially, if you use custom data in Platform Configuration Fields.

That’s why we suggest you use the reports as a service (RAAS) API. You start by developing a report in People Analytics that has all your data. While you need to learn People Analytics, you don’t have to learn the ins and outs of formatting. Once that report is built, the RAAS API can run the report and then save it as a CSV. Which then can then be brought into a database like SQL Server or into Power BI. We have posts in progress explaining how the RAAS API works end-to-end process. Let us know if you want the latest updates.

We strongly believe that TMTOWTDI (There’s More than one way to do it). So, let us know your thoughts and questions below. Or if you want help with training or development, let us know.