Express is the latest BI solution from MicroStrategy, and it is based on the cloud. It differs from the solution we covered in preceding chapters mainly because there is nothing to download or install, there is no desktop interface, and everything is done via a web browser.

From the UI and usability point of view, it is very similar to Visual Insight and offers access to both on-premise and cloud-based data sources.

One of the benefits of a cloud-based solution is that it doesn't need any infrastructure or hardware, and obviously cuts down the implementation time considerably.

Experienced desktop BI developers may feel that they lose the control and the fine-tuning possibilities of the in-house design; nevertheless the cloud Gold Rush has begun and this will undoubtedly modify the way we do our job; sooner or later, a customer will ask for a cloud-based solution and we'd better be prepared.

The capabilities of Express go beyond the data discovery tool; it is also a mobile design platform where you can combine dashboards, documents, and multimedia content into a mobile branded application. It also allows distributing and sharing information via e-mail, on social networks or by embedding visualizations in websites, blogs, and so on.

Express is available, as many cloud solutions, as a freemium platform. When you create an account, you get access to the personal features at no cost and by paying a small subscription you can unlock premium capabilities such as Advanced Templates, Database Connectivity, and Automated Deliveries among others.

We will start with the free account and then explore the premium components. There is a 30-day trial that you can activate in your account, which is just enough for getting an idea of the possibilities of this solution.