Ecatenate Embeds Power BI Analytics Into McLaughlin & Harvey’s Commercial System
Analytics that live in a separate application tend not to get used. If checking a figure means a second login, a different interface and a different set of filters, most people don’t bother — they ask someone for a report instead, and wait.
Ecatenate has delivered fully integrated Power BI reporting inside McLaughlin & Harvey’s existing commercial management system, so interactive analytics sit where the work already happens.
How it works
The solution is built on the App-owns-data model, flowing the platform’s own single sign-on through to Power BI Embedded. Row-Level Security ensures users see only the data they’re entitled to, and context-sensitive filtering means reports open already scoped to whatever the user is looking at — analytics that feel native rather than bolted on.
A dedicated report manager gives administrators direct control: publishing reports, managing user and role access, and governing access to sensitive commercial data. Users can export via the Power BI service with filters and customisations preserved, and a My Exports area keeps previously generated reports to hand.
Why it matters
- Decisions in the flow of work — no context switch, no second system to learn
- One report set, many audiences — RLS does the segmentation, rather than maintaining separate versions per team
- Governance without gatekeeping — administrators publish and control access themselves, without a development cycle
- No per-user Power BI licences — App-owns-data means access is governed by the host application, not individual subscriptions
- Fewer report requests — self-service replaces the queue
The result is enterprise-grade business intelligence embedded directly into daily workflow, combining genuine self-service analytics with role-aware security.
About McLaughlin & Harvey
McLaughlin & Harvey is a privately owned construction and civil engineering company founded in 1853, employing over 850 people and delivering projects across the UK and Ireland. The business works across construction, civil engineering, healthcare, workspace, frameworks and infrastructure, with a focus on long-term partnerships and sustainable delivery.
Technology
ASP.NET Core · Power BI Embedded API · SQL Server · Azure
