In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon discuss their shift in thinking on whether to build custom data connectors or use third-party tools like Fivetran. They share the pros, cons, and lessons learned from their proof-of-concept with Fivetran, and why APIs are changing the data pipeline game.

Key Moments:

1:15 – Why custom connectors made sense in the past
2:00 – The rise of APIs and the challenge of building connectors for them
2:39 – Realizing the variety of systems—and limits of pre-built connectors
4:03 – How Fivetran’s dedicated API teams save time and reduce risk
4:57 – Turnaround times and when a custom build is still needed
5:56 – Cost trade-offs: upfront development vs. subscription model
6:30 – Support considerations for in-house vs. third-party connectors
6:41 – Exploring other tools and continuing custom pipeline work
7:11 – Closing thoughts and advice for data teams

Blue Margin helps middle-market companies turn their data into a strategic asset through automated dashboards and data solutions. By simplifying the flow of information, we empower leaders to make confident, data-driven decisions that drive growth and efficiency. Learn more at bluemargin.com.

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Brick is joined by Blue Margin account executive Greg to demystify what it really means to “prepare your data for AI.” Rather than focusing on flashy tools and hype, they dig into the foundational steps, like building a modern data lakehouse and semantic layer, that are essential for long-term ROI. You’ll also hear why many companies are pulling back on generative AI pilots and what it takes to avoid falling into the “trough of disillusionment.”

Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or looking to get real results from your investments, this episode offers a grounded, strategic perspective.

Learn more: https://bluemargin.com

Choosing between Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake? In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Ochs break down when, why, and how to choose the right data platform for your organization. From ecosystem compatibility and AI capabilities to cost management and developer experience, we unpack the real-world trade-offs we see every day at Blue Margin.

Whether you're building from scratch or evaluating a transition, this conversation will help you make a smarter, more informed decision.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more data strategy insights!

This episode dives into the biggest theme from the 2025 Microsoft Build conference: AI agents. Brick and Landon unpack what Microsoft unveiled, from Copilot Studio to Azure AI Foundry, and what it all means for businesses adopting custom AI tools.

Whether you're curious about how AI agents can automate tasks, what it takes to build and govern them effectively, or how Microsoft is pushing this technology forward, this episode is your insider look at the future of business automation.

Landon and Brick unpack the biggest announcements about Microsoft Fabric from the 2025 Microsoft Build Conference. From long-awaited features like Power BI write-back and built-in CICD, to major shifts like Cosmos DB moving into Fabric and Copilot now available at the F2 tier, this is a must-watch for data professionals and business leaders keeping an eye on Microsoft’s data ecosystem.

Whether you're already working in Fabric or planning your move from Synapse, this breakdown will help you understand what’s here, what’s coming, and what to watch out for.

Learn more about how Blue Margin helps companies turn data into growth: https://www.bluemargin.com

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In this episode, Blue Margin’s Kate Eberle and Greg explore why forward-thinking private equity firms are investing in firm-level data lakehouses and how it’s transforming deal flow, operations, investor relations, and beyond.

From reducing manual reporting to enabling AI-driven insights and natural language querying, they outline real-world use cases, challenges, and the best first steps to take.

Subscribe for more insights on data strategy, business intelligence, and private equity performance.

Want to learn how Blue Margin partners with PE firms?
Visit https://bluemargin.com to demo our PE Power BI Dashboards

In this episode, Brick and Kate break down the five most impactful metrics for middle-market companies to focus on when implementing Business Intelligence (BI). These metrics help businesses not only measure performance, but also take strategic action based on real-time insights.

Whether you're in services, manufacturing, or another industry, this conversation dives into practical examples and key considerations for tracking performance across the organization.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on data-driven business strategies.

Rolling out a new BI system or dashboard? It's not just about the data; it's about the people. 

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick and Landon dive into the hidden influence of company culture on BI adoption. From Excel loyalty to leadership modeling and psychological safety, they unpack the human side of digital transformation.

Learn how to overcome resistance, build trust, and drive lasting engagement with your dashboards.

Need help getting your dashboards adopted? Visit us at https://bluemargin.com

Are you chasing metrics that look good but don’t do good?

In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, Brick Thompson and Landon Oaks dive into the common trap of vanity metrics, those flashy numbers that don’t actually move the needle. They explore how to identify the right metrics, involve the right stakeholders, and why iteration is key to building dashboards that drive real results.

Whether you’re building your first dashboard or refining a mature BI strategy, this episode will help you shift from data that decorates to data that delivers.

Learn how Blue Margin helps companies turn data into a strategic asset: bluemargin.com

 In this episode of The Dashboard Effect, host Landon Oaks sits down with Azure Data Architect Mark Bender to discuss Blue Margin’s first internal leap into AI: Project Celeste. 

Still in its early stages, Celeste is designed to boost developer and analyst productivity by using large language models to generate SQL queries from natural language prompts, without exposing sensitive data. Landon and Mark unpack how Celeste works, what makes it different from traditional AI chatbots, and how it's poised to change the way Blue Margin teams approach unfamiliar data systems like NetSuite. 

Whether you're an AI enthusiast or a data professional, this behind-the-scenes look offers insight into the future of analytics at Blue Margin.