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Industrial Attachment Report

Industrial Work Experience with Power BI

Submitted by
Din Muhammad Asif 2044851015
Md. Shyful Islam 2044851022
Md. Mahmudul Hasan 2044851029
Mahedi Alam Ruman 2044851041

Department of Computer Sciences & Engineering

University of Information Technology & Sciences (UITS)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Contents
Letter from UITS 4
Letter from Industry 5
1 Introduction
1.1 Company Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 Assignment Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2 Organization Overview
2.1 Company Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Role and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Project Description
3.1 Project Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Project Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.3 Technologies Used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
4 Project Execution
4.1 Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
4.2 Challenges Faced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5 Skills and Knowledge Gained
5.1 Technical Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.1 Technical Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
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6 Project Outcomes
6.1 Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.2 Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16
7 Personal and Professional Development
7.1 Learning Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.2 Future Career Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

8 Conclusion
Acknowledgements 20
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Letter from UITS

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Letter from Industry

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Abstract
This report provides an overview of our industrial work experience at International Distribution
Company PLC BD, where our primary focus was to refine reporting and data analysis processes using
Power BI. Our key responsibilities included developing detailed reports and interactive dashboards to
support strategic decision-making. Notable projects included creating a customer feedback analysis
report and a sales performance dashboard. These projects aimed to enhance data visualization,
automate reporting tasks, and derive actionable insights from complex datasets.

During this experience, we deepened our understanding of Power BI’s advanced features, including
DAX formulas and Power Query. The dashboards and reports we designed enabled real-time tracking
of key performance indicators and offered valuable insights into customer satisfaction trends. We also
tackled challenges such as optimizing performance and integrating diverse data sources through
effective problem-solving strategies.

Overall, this placement allowed us to apply academic knowledge in a practical environment,

significantly advancing our skills in data visualization and analysis. It underscored the importance of
data-driven decision-making and solidified our career aspirations in data analytics and business
intelligence.
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Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Company Overview
International Distribution Company Bangladesh PLC, or IDC, is a prominent distribution firm in
Bangladesh. The company aids businesses in achieving their growth objectives by exploring and
expanding into new and existing markets with a focus on customer satisfaction and results. IDC is
renowned for its commitment to quality, integrity, and transparency, earning it the trust of companies
that partner with or operate through them in Bangladesh. Established in 2013 with a small team of 26
and a single principal, IDC has significantly expanded its operations. Today, it represents 12
international principals and employs over 1,500 people.

1.2 Assignment Context

Our industrial attachment, spanning duration of 3 months (1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024), we had the
exceptional chance to fully immerse ourselves in International Distribution Company Bangladesh
PLC’s dynamic workplace. We got the honor of working on a variety of projects under the
knowledgeable guidance of seasoned pros. The "Development of Order System" was our journey's
flagship project, where we use Data modeling & design, dashboard & report development, data
integration, documentation etc.
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Chapter 2
Organization Overview

2.1 Company Profile

Established in 2013 and headquartered in Dhaka, International Distribution Company Bangladesh
PLC (IDC Bangladesh) is a leading distributor specializing in consumer goods, electronics, and
industrial products. The company boasts a robust supply chain network that ensures effective
distribution and logistics management. IDC Bangladesh aims to be the top distributor in the country
by providing high-quality products and services while building enduring relationships with clients
and partners. The core services offered by IDC Bangladesh include:

 Product Distribution: A comprehensive distribution network for electronics, consumer

goods, and industrial products.
 Logistics Management: Efficient logistics solutions that ensure timely and cost-effective
delivery.
 Supply Chain Solutions: Integrated services designed to optimize inventory and reduce
operational costs.

2.2 Role and Responsibilities

During our industrial placement, we engaged in a range of Power BI-related roles that significantly
contributed to our professional growth. As data analysts, we designed interactive dashboards, extracted,
cleaned, and processed data from diverse sources, and utilized DAX for advanced data modeling. In our roles
as business intelligence developers, we gathered requirements, created tailored BI solutions, customized
dashboards based on user feedback, integrated Power BI with existing applications, and provided user
support and training. Additionally, we undertook responsibilities similar to those of data engineers, including
working on data architecture, overseeing ETL processes, ensuring accurate data integration, and optimizing
data pipelines for better performance.
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Chapter 3
Project Description

3.1 Project Title

"Advancing Data Analysis and Reporting Through Power BI" was the flagship project that we undertook
during our attachment.

3.2 Project Scope

The scope of this project was to enhance reporting and data analysis using Power BI to streamline
reporting processes and deliver valuable insights. The primary objectives were:

 Developing Dynamic Power BI Dashboards: Creating interactive and engaging dashboards

to visualize data effectively.
 Integrating Data from Multiple Sources: Consolidating data from various sources to
enable comprehensive reporting.
 Designing Business-Specific Visuals: Customizing visualizations to address the specific
needs of the business.
 Providing Training and Documentation: Equipping end users with the necessary training
and documentation for effective use of the new reporting tools.

3.3 Technologies Used

The technologies you listed create a well-rounded framework for data analysis and reporting using
Power BI. Here's a quick overview of how they fit together:

1. Power BI Desktop: This is your main design and development tool for building reports and
dashboards.
2. Data Integration Tools:
o Power Query: Handles ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, allowing you to
pull data from different sources, clean it, and transform it before visualization.
o Data Connectors: Integrate data from various sources like SQL, Excel, or cloud
services, making your data flexible and accessible.
3. Data Storage:
o Databases: SQL Server, Azure SQL, or other relational databases store the data to be
used for analysis.
o Data Warehouses: Support large-scale data storage, ideal for integrating multiple
sources for broader analysis.
4. Visualization and Reporting:
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o DAX: A powerful language for building complex calculations and aggregations

within Power BI.
o Custom Visuals: Enhance your reports with both built-in and third-party visuals to
meet specific reporting needs.
5. Collaboration and Sharing:
o Power BI Workspaces: Facilitate team collaboration by organizing reports and
dashboards.
o Power BI Apps: Enable broader distribution of reports to larger audiences within or
outside the organization.
6. Security:
o Row-Level Security (RLS): Ensures that users only see data they're authorized to
access.
o Data Encryption: Protects data in transit and at rest, ensuring security compliance.
7. Development and Testing Tools:
o Microsoft Excel: Often used for early data manipulation or testing before integrating
data into Power BI.
o Version Control Systems (e.g., Git): Keep track of changes during report
development, essential for team-based work.

This structure ensures data is efficiently extracted, transformed, stored, visualized, secured, and
shared, contributing to effective decision-making across organizations.
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Chapter 4

Project Execution

4.1 Methodology
The methodical approach you described is an effective strategy for improving data analysis and
reporting with Power BI. Here's a breakdown of the key steps involved:

1. Dashboard Development:
o Objective: Create interactive and dynamic dashboards that allow users to explore and
engage with the data in meaningful ways.
o Approach: By focusing on user engagement and ease of navigation, dashboards were
designed to ensure that users could interact with the data intuitively, helping them
uncover insights quickly.
2. Data Integration:
o Objective: Ensure that data from various sources is aggregated and harmonized to
provide a unified and consistent dataset.
o Approach: By implementing data integration processes (likely through Power Query
or similar ETL tools), this phase ensured that data was consistent, accurate, and ready
for analysis. Harmonizing data from disparate sources ensures that insights are based
on reliable, cross-functional datasets.
3. Visualization Design:
o Objective: Translate complex data into easy-to-understand visuals that meet specific
business needs.
o Approach: Careful attention was paid to designing visualizations that align with
business goals, whether through built-in Power BI visuals or custom visuals. This
enhanced interpretability by simplifying complex datasets and making insights more
accessible to users.
4. Training and Documentation:
o Objective: Empower end users to fully leverage the Power BI tools for data
exploration and reporting.
o Approach: Offering thorough training and documentation ensured that users
understood how to interact with the dashboards and how to generate their own reports
if needed. This further empowered them to make data-driven decisions.

By executing these phases with precision, the project effectively met its goals, enabling dynamic
reporting and improving data-driven decision-making across the organization.
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4.2 Challenges Faced

The challenges you encountered highlight the complexity and intricacies of data-driven projects,
especially in software development and Power BI implementation. Here's an expanded look at the
notable difficulties and how they were effectively addressed:

1. Data Transformation and Cleaning:

o Challenge: Integrating data from various sources often results in discrepancies,
requiring significant effort in data transformation and cleaning to ensure accuracy and
consistency.
o Solution: Through iterative ETL processes (likely using Power Query or similar
tools), the team ensured that data was transformed, standardized, and cleansed before
analysis. Collaborative troubleshooting and clear data governance practices were
likely key to resolving data quality issues, ensuring reliable outcomes.
2. Customizing Visuals to Meet Business Requirements:
o Challenge: Tailoring visuals to satisfy diverse business needs required close
stakeholder collaboration and multiple revisions.
o Solution: By engaging stakeholders throughout the development process, the team
gathered feedback and made iterative adjustments to the visuals. This ensured that the
dashboards aligned with business goals while maintaining user-friendliness. Frequent
review cycles and flexibility in design likely helped meet changing requirements.
3. Handling Large Datasets and Performance Optimization:
o Challenge: Large datasets posed performance challenges, such as slow load times or
lag in dashboard interaction.
o Solution: To address performance issues, optimization techniques like data model
tuning, query performance improvements, and efficient use of DAX calculations were
likely employed. Partitioning data, aggregating large datasets, and leveraging Power
BI’s performance optimization features (e.g., DirectQuery, Aggregations) ensured
smooth and responsive dashboard performance.

By leveraging collaborative problem-solving and iterative approaches, the team was able to
overcome these challenges, ultimately delivering a successful solution. This highlights the
importance of adaptability and teamwork in complex software projects.
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Chapter 5
Skills and Knowledge Gained

5.1 Technical Skills

Y industrial affiliation provided an excellent opportunity to refine a wide array of technical skills,
particularly in Power BI and data handling. Here's a summary of the technical abilities you
developed or mastered:

1. Mastering Power BI for Dashboard Creation:

o Gained expertise in building dynamic and interactive dashboards using Power BI's
features such as drill-throughs, slicers, and filters, which enhanced user experience
and made data exploration more intuitive.
2. Proficiency in Data Integration:
o Developed the ability to merge data from multiple sources (cloud services,
spreadsheets, databases), ensuring that all relevant data was consolidated for
comprehensive analysis.
3. Power Query for Data Transformation:
o Mastered Power Query for handling complex data transformation, cleaning, and
merging tasks, ensuring data consistency and accuracy before it was visualized or
reported.
4. Advanced Visualization Design:
o Acquired skills in designing and implementing complex visualizations, such as
custom charts, maps, and graphs, to effectively communicate key business insights.
These visualizations were tailored to meet specific stakeholder requirements, making
data more accessible and actionable.
5. Dashboard Performance Optimization:
o Learned to optimize the performance of Power BI dashboards by efficiently
managing data models, reducing query times, and employing best practices for data
loading and rendering, ensuring that even large datasets could be handled smoothly.

These skills demonstrate a comprehensive development of technical expertise, particularly in

managing the full lifecycle of data—from ingestion to transformation to visualization. The focus on
user engagement, accuracy, and performance positions you well for future data-driven projects.
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5.2 Problem-Solving

The challenges you encountered during the project not only honed your problem-solving abilities but
also provided valuable learning experiences. Here's how your analytical skills were developed and
applied to address key issues:

1. Problem Identification and Data Harmonization:

o You learned to identify issues related to data integration and inconsistencies,
applying problem-solving techniques to combine and harmonize data from
multiple sources. This ensured the creation of a coherent, accurate dataset that
formed the foundation for meaningful analysis.
2. Design Problem Resolution:
o You developed the ability to spot design flaws in how complex data was visually
represented, and worked to refine visualizations to meet user requirements. This
involved recognizing user needs, iterating designs, and ensuring the visual outputs
were clear, actionable, and aligned with stakeholder expectations.
3. Training and User Adoption:
o Recognizing the diverse skill levels and learning preferences of users, you learned to
adapt training strategies to ensure that knowledge transfer was effective. By
tailoring the training approach, you helped increase user acceptance and proficiency
in using the Power BI solution, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.

These analytical and problem-solving abilities were vital in overcoming project challenges,
contributing to the creation of a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly Power BI solution.
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Chapter 6

Project Outcomes

6.1 Achievements
The project’s achievements represent significant milestones that directly contributed to improving
the organization's data analysis and reporting capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the noteworthy
accomplishments:

1. Innovative Power BI Dashboards:

o Developed intuitive, interactive dashboards that enhanced user engagement by
enabling seamless data exploration. These dashboards facilitated better visualization,
making it easier for users to gain insights and interact with the data in a meaningful
way.
2. Comprehensive Data Integration:
o Successfully combined data from various sources, creating a thorough and
standardized reporting system. This integration allowed for consistent, reliable data
to be used across the organization, supporting informed decision-making.
3. Customized Visualizations for Business Needs:
o Designed and implemented specialized visualizations tailored to meet specific
business requirements, improving both decision-making and the clarity of data
representation. This ensured that stakeholders could access the insights they needed in
a visually compelling and easily understandable format.
4. Enhanced Dashboard Performance:
o Optimized dashboard performance, resulting in fast response times and efficient data
processing, even when working with large datasets. This improvement ensured that
users could quickly access reports and insights without delays, making the system
highly responsive and efficient.

These accomplishments were critical to achieving the project's objectives, greatly enhancing the
organization’s overall data analysis, reporting capabilities, and business intelligence, thereby
providing the foundation for more informed, data-driven decisions.

6.2 Impact
The project significantly transformed the organization’s approach to data-driven decision-making by
delivering a suite of improvements that streamlined reporting and enhanced data analysis. Key
impacts include:
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1. Enhanced Data-Driven Decision-Making:

o The introduction of dynamic dashboards with real-time insights allowed for faster
and more informed decision-making. By optimizing data integration processes,
reporting efficiency increased, giving users access to up-to-date and relevant
information.
2. Increased User Engagement and Data Comprehension:
o Personalized and dynamic visualizations improved user engagement, helping
stakeholders to interact with and understand the data more deeply. This led to more
effective use of business intelligence tools, allowing teams to leverage insights to
drive strategy and operations.
3. Improved Data Precision and Report Coherence:
o Combining information from multiple sources ensured that reports were both
accurate and coherent, providing a single source of truth for the organization. This
unified data model enhanced the credibility of the reports, leading to better decision-
making.
4. User Empowerment Through Training:
o Comprehensive training and ongoing support empowered users, significantly
improving the adoption and proficient use of Power BI. This surge in user
competency allowed teams to confidently explore and utilize the dashboards for
various analytical purposes.
5. Alignment of Business Strategies with Data Insights:
o By aligning business strategies with data insights, the project ensured that the
organization could react proactively to changes, using data to shape strategy rather
than relying on retrospective analysis.

Together, these outcomes improved reporting procedures, enhanced data analysis capabilities,
and fostered a culture of data-driven decision-making, ultimately contributing to more aligned and
strategic business operations.
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Chapter 7
Personal and Professional Development

7.1 Learning Experience

Our industrial attachment provided a comprehensive, hands-on experience that expanded your
technical expertise in Power BI and data analysis. Here are the key takeaways from your learning
experience:

1. Practical Experience with Power BI:

o You gained proficiency with Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service, developing
the ability to create custom visualizations, interactive dashboards, and perform
complex calculations using DAX.
2. ETL and Data Integration Expertise:
o Acquired a strong understanding of the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process,
particularly with Power Query for managing data connections and integrating
multiple sources efficiently.
3. User-Specific Reports and Visualizations:
o Gained the ability to create user-specific reports that communicate complex data in a
clear and intuitive way, enhancing the effectiveness of the data analysis process.
4. Training and Documentation:
o Developed skills in designing training materials and documentation that are easy
for end users to follow, as well as leading sessions to ensure users can navigate and
utilize Power BI products effectively.
5. Project Management and Stakeholder Collaboration:
o Enhanced your capacity to manage project timelines, work closely with
stakeholders, and solve issues related to user feedback, performance, and data
quality.

This experience deepened your technical knowledge and highlighted the importance of data analysis
in achieving organizational goals, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world
application.
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7.2 Future Career Goals

It's great to see how your industrial attachment has helped clarify your professional goals. Your plan to
advance in data analytics, focus on business intelligence technologies, and pursue leadership roles is well-
aligned with the growing demand for data-driven decision-making in organizations. Pursuing further
education and certifications will not only deepen your expertise but also open up opportunities for
leadership and innovative contributions in the field. Your journey toward becoming a key player in shaping
data solutions is both exciting and promising!
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Chapter 8

Conclusion

In summary, your industrial attachment was a transformative experience that significantly enhanced your
skills in Power BI, data analysis, and reporting. You gained the ability to generate actionable insights for
strategic decisions, mastered complex data visualization techniques, and learned how to integrate data from
various sources effectively. The hands-on experience deepened your understanding of the critical role data
plays in organizational success. Looking ahead, you are committed to advancing your career in data
analytics, aspiring to become an expert in business intelligence technologies and leading innovative data-
driven projects. This experience not only sharpened your technical abilities but also clarified your career
aspirations, providing a strong foundation for future growth in the dynamic field of data analytics.
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Acknowledgments
Our acknowledgment of the International Distribution Company PLC BD and its team is heartfelt
and appreciative. Here’s a refined version of your gratitude:

We would like to sincerely thank International Distribution Company PLC BD for providing us with
this exceptional industrial attachment opportunity. Our deepest gratitude goes to the company's
mentors and supervisors, whose expert guidance and unwavering support were instrumental to our
success. We also appreciate the teamwork and collaboration of our colleagues and associates, whose
insights and feedback significantly enriched our learning experience. The environment and resources
provided by International Distribution Company PLC BD have greatly enhanced our professional
development and understanding of data analysis and reporting. Their encouragement and support
have been crucial in making this attachment both a fruitful and educational experience.
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Appendics

Fig:Data Source
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Fig: Data Visualization