Connecting Ships Data API to Microsoft Power BI for Data Analytics
There are multiple ways how to make use of Maritime AIS Data by analyzing it in PowerBI or any other data analytics program. You can choose either uploading a static excel sheet and analyze the current statistics about the vessels and maritime ports or you can use Maritime Data API to connect to your PowerBI project.
One of the major benefits of connecting an API rather than an excel sheet is that it is much faster for the analytics formulas and operations to be processed as it loads data directly from the source rather than going though a heavy excel sheet.
Second Maritime Data API benefit for ships data analytics is data continuity that is always up to date. You get the freshest updated information and can watch current and historical maritime data trends in your PowerBI project.
Ideas for your Power BI Ships API Data Analytics Project
- Analyze real-time ships movements with Maritime API and PowerBI
- Analyze historical vessel trends moves with Maritime API and PowerBI
- Create a maritime traffic map with Maritime API and PowerBI
- Gather descriptive statistics on active vessels
- Analyze maritime ports in the world
- Map vessel trends and behaviors
- Create maritime vessel data clusters for analyzing data trends
- Forecast vessel movements and traffic
- Understand global maritime logistics movement
- Analyze global ocean and sea pollution based on ships movements.
Having these things in mind, let’s see how to actually connect Power BI with ships data from Datalastic Database
How to Connect Ships API to Microsoft Power BI for a Data Analytics Project?
1. Get Data from another source
After you download and install your Power BI application, this is the first windows that you see. Power BI will offer you to add a data source to your report. To add an API you will simply need to click “Add data from another source ->” to add Datalastic Maritime API or any other data API.
2. Choose Web Source to add API to your Power BI Project
After step 1, by clicking “Add from another source” you will see this pop-up with very extensive data sources connections. Go to “Get Data” and choose “Other” and “Web” to add a data API.
3. Basic Connection of Ships API with Power BI
The next pop-up that you will see will be a Basic or Advanced setup. Generally, the basic setup is enough for Datalastic API to pair with Microsoft Power BI. Just add the URL (endpoint) that you require as instructed in Datalastic API reference. Add your key and desired vessel to be tracked and you are good to go. If this step works, please, proceed to step 5 in this instruction If it doesn’t, then we should try setting up the connection via an Advanced setup (step 4).
3. Advanced Connection of Maritime API with Power BI
Add the desired URL (endpoint) with the data type that you would like to connect to Power BI.
To help Power BI recognizing your API key for Datalastic add ATTP request header parameter with your API key.
Add “Authorization” and Bearer with your API key as in the example on the right.
5. Start with Maritime Data Analytics with Power BI
After connecting Power BI with Datalastic Maritime API you are good to go to analyze, process and forecast maritime traffic and to withdraw your own conclusions about vessel industry.
