Arbor’s LA BI Connector

Arbor's LA BI Connector allows automatic syncing of Arbor data into BI tools via Snowflake, enabling customisation and visualisation of key performance metrics. It includes pre-loaded data and requires experienced BI users for setup. 

Our LA BI Connector automatically syncs school Arbor MIS data into your BI tool of choice through our Snowflake data warehouse, so you can customise and visualise it however you need to. Please note, our Connector comes with a fair use policy.

• Ready to go - Key school Arbor MIS data is pre-loaded into your BI tool, which means no need for a manual export.
• More customisation - Bring school Arbor data to life with powerful visualisations, and pull in any other data you want to build the insights you need.

The BI Connector is designed for experienced BI users, so make sure you’re confident using your BI tool first.

What data is included in the connector?

Access to Arbor MIS data for a school is controlled by Data Sharing Agreements. These are requested by a workflow in LA MIS and there are two options available to request:

DfE Data - this covers information needed to fulfil statutory LA reporting obligations from a school. It broadly covers the following types of data:

• Students including enrolments and demographics
• Suspensions and Exclusions
• Attendance
• DfE Standardised Assessments

DfE and MIS Data - this gives access to all information held in Arbor MIS such as:

• All assessments
• Exam results
• Behaviour Incidents and Point Awards
• Clubs and Trips
• Timetable
• Staff, Contracts and Absences

You can see a full list of what data is available here: LA BI Connector Datasets

How to set up the Connector

Step 1 - Purchase the connector

• LAs  - the BI Connector will be included as standard in your contract.

Step 2 - Set up the connector

Once you've purchased the feature and we've sent over your credentials via 1Password, which includes the server name and warehouse that you will need, you can then set up the connector.

Included below are instructions for the two most common BI tools used, Microsoft Power BI and Google Looker Studio. A similar process applies when setting up with other BI tools, such as Tableau.

Setup with Microsoft Power BI

Follow these steps to set up the BI Connector with Microsoft Power BI - you'll need the desktop version to be able to create and share reports.

1. Click the Get Data button in the Microsoft Power BI taskbar
2. Enter Snowflake into the search bar to find the correct connector and click to set up
3. For Server enter the Snowflake account URL we have shared with you, for Warehouse enter POWER_BI_GENERAL
4. Enter your Account and Password which we will have shared via a 1Password link
5. In the navigator choose ARBOR_BI_CONNECTOR_PRODUCTION

6. Select the appropriate Schema - 

   • For England
     • DfE Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_LA_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_LA_MODELLED
     • MIS Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_MODELLED
   • For Wales
     • DfE Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_WALES_LA_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_WALES_LA_MODELLED
     • MIS Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_WALES_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_WALES_MODELLED

   Note: The different types of data available are explained in more depth in the linked Datasets article

Setup with Google Looker Studio

Follow these steps to set up the BI Connector with Google Looker Studio:

1. Click the Add Data button in the Google Looker Studio Taskbar.
2. Select Snowflake from Partner Connectors.
3. Enter your Snowflake Account URL that was sent to you by us.
4. Enter these details:
   • Choose Role - add your username
   • Choose Warehouse - POWER_BI_GENERAL
   • Choose Database - ARBOR_BI_CONNECTOR_PRODUCTION
   • Select the appropriate Schema -
     • For England
       • DfE Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_LA_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_LA_MODELLED
       • MIS Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_ENGLAND_MODELLED
     • For Wales
       • DfE Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_WALES_LA_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_WALES_LA_MODELLED
       • MIS Data - use either ARBOR_MIS_WALES_ANALYSIS or ARBOR_MIS_WALES_MODELLED
   • Enter SQL Query - Select the data from the table you want to bring in.

Note: The different types of data available are explained in more depth in the linked Datasets article

Please note that there is a 1 million row limit when using the BI Connector with Google Looker Studio that cannot be exceeded.