In the previous post dedicated to Aging of Customers and Suppliers, we saw how Power BI provides a valuable tool for tracking and analyzing the credits customers owe to the company (customer aging) and the debts the company has towards suppliers.

But credits and debts are not the only areas where Power BI can help you analyze business data and, consequently, make more efficient decisions.

In today's post, we will see how Power BI can also make a difference in the analysis of sales data.

Sales reports are an essential component in the analysis and management of business performance. They provide a clear view of the company's sales trends, allowing you to compare data from previous periods and select specific periods of interest. But what are the main reasons why these reports are so crucial?

Global Sales Analysis

Sales reports provide an overview of business performance in terms of sales. Examples of analysis include sales trends by amount and geographic area. For instance, if a company notices a decrease in sales in a specific region compared to the previous quarter, this may suggest the need for a targeted marketing strategy in that area or a revision of pricing policies to enhance competitiveness.

Analysis of Orders by Product/Customer

The analysis of sales reports allows you to identify which products or customers are significantly contributing or, conversely, slowing down sales. For example, it may emerge that a certain product has consistently increased sales in recent months. This can guide the company in the allocation of resources to fully leverage the opportunity.

Revenue Analysis by Product/Customer

In addition to orders, sales reports also allow you to examine the actual revenue generated by specific products or customers. This type of analysis can reveal which customers generate significant revenue for the company and which products are the most profitable. It can be useful for planning targeted marketing strategies or optimizing resource allocation for production.

Margin Analysis by Product/Customer

Another fundamental aspect is the analysis of profit margin. Knowing which product or customer generates the highest margins can help the company focus on market segments that offer the greatest returns. For example, if a particular product has a very high margin, the company may decide to promote it further or develop similar products.

The Importance of Filters

In addition to basic analyses, sales reports offer the option to apply filters to further refine the analysis. A company using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and having set up analysis dimensions, such as cost centers, can analyze sales in relation to these specific dimensions. This can be useful to understand which areas or business divisions are contributing more to sales or identify areas where improvements are needed.

The capabilities of Power BI do not end here. In the next post, we will address the analysis of purchase-related data.