Building BI Solutions That Transform Complex Data Into Intelligent Action.
I am Santosh Pothnak, a BI Architect with 16+ years of expertise. I have spearheaded the migration of legacy report layers to the cloud, optimized data models, and delivered enterprise BI solutions. Skilled in Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, SQL query tuning, and legacy platforms like SAP BusinessObjects, I have enhanced reporting performance and empowered data-driven decision-making.
Profile
With 16 years of experience in BI & Data Architecture, I have spearheaded the migration of legacy report layers to the cloud, optimized data models, and delivered end-to-end reporting solutions.
Skilled in Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, SQL query tuning, and legacy platforms like SAP BusinessObjects, I have enhanced dashboard refresh times by 50% and cut manual report processing overhead by 40%. My expertise lies in designing robust data models, developing advanced DAX calculations, and delivering high-impact dashboards that align with corporate objectives.
Work Experience
Lead BI & Data Architect
- Leading a 14-member analytics/BI team on MicroStrategy to Power BI migration.
- Architecting end-to-end Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse environments, transitioning legacy siloes to Delta Open Table formats.
- Developing highly-performant Gold-layer semantic models to serve as the single source of truth for downstream Power BI Embedded applications.
- Migrating 273 reports from MicroStrategy (MSTR) to Power BI, sourcing data from Oracle to Azure Cloud PGFS.
- Building enterprise Medallion Architecture (Bronze/Silver/Gold) in Databricks, reducing query latency by 45%.
Application Development Team Lead
- Power BI Lead for budgeting, financial governance, and retail analytics.
- Supervised cross-functional Agile/Scrum team; delivered 15+ MIS projects to executive leadership.
- Built 6+ Power BI dashboards; automated workflows via Power Apps/Power Automate achieving 30% effort reduction and $600K+ savings via mischarge detection.
- Engineered complex DAX measures using CALCULATE, FILTER, TIME INTELLIGENCE functions, and dynamic RLS logic to secure confidential financial data based on user roles.
Technology Lead (Data Engineering & BI)
- Re-engineered siloed databases into unified enterprise data pipelines, enhancing dashboard and report refresh times by 50% through advanced SQL query tuning and CTE optimization.
- Designed and optimized enterprise scale Power BI tabular models with complex DAX calculations, resolving performance bottlenecks using DAX Studio and Tabular Editor.
- Acted as CoE (Center of Excellence) Lead, mentoring over 20 developers on best practices in semantic modeling, star schema design, conformed dimensions, and data governance policies.
- Regression tested 800+ reports during BO migrations; ensured post-migration data accuracy.
SAP BI Consultant
- Engineered complex Semantic Layers and Universe designs using SAP Business Objects (Universe Designer and Information Design Tool).
- Prepared detailed technical specifications, mapped source-to-target data flows, and performed data profiling to discover and document key performance indicator (KPI) mapping rules.
- Developed rich Web Intelligence (WebI) reports and interactive executive dashboards.
Software Engineer
- Installed, configured, and optimized SAP Business Objects application servers to support critical business lines.
- Partnered closely with business users to design and deliver ad-hoc operational reports, writing highly tuned SQL queries.
Software Developer
- Diagnosed, debugged, and optimized complex transactional application code across Java, HTML, and PHP layers.
- Managed database integrations and built robust custom data-entry validation routines, ensuring raw transactional data met system-wide integrity rules before entry.
Projects & System Architectures
Key client engagements and technical platforms built across my career.
MSTR to Power BI Migration
Architecting Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse environments and migrating 273 reports from MicroStrategy to Power BI for United Health Group.
- Optimized SQL queries, reducing generation time to 10s.
- Automated Power BI report generation using Python.
- Developed Gold-layer semantic models.
Finance Budget Management
Built monthly MIS reports to track budget spend vs. allocation, enabling stakeholders to monitor and optimize expenditures.
- Designed and implemented 6+ Power BI dashboards.
- Developed PowerApps to streamline data entry.
- Built and deployed 4+ Power Automate flows.
Retail Sales Dashboards
Designed Power BI reports to monitor retail performance, freezer temperature compliance, and operational metrics.
- Retail sales performance and freezer temperature monitoring.
- Reduced product spoilage by 15%.
Lean and Agile Metrics
Developed a suite of Lean and Agile Metrics reports in Power BI to provide insights into team performance.
- Tracked Agile KPIs like cycle time and lead time.
- Integrated Azure DevOps Analytics Views.
BusinessObjects Migration
Migrated reporting systems to the cloud, creating a sustainable data model and ensuring seamless integration.
- Designed a comprehensive data model.
- Developed and maintained reports in SAP BO.
AWS Reporting Solution
Adapted existing reporting systems to support updated data models while developing new reports.
- Migrated Crystal reports to Webi.
- Coordinated with the ETL team.
One2Two Regression Testing
Ensured a smooth transition during the upgrade of reporting systems from SAP BO 3.1 to 4.1.
- Conducted regression testing for 800+ reports.
- Delivered development support for Webi reports.
EIW Migration
Migrated databases from SQL Server to Teradata and fixed integrity errors, enhancing system performance.
- Developed Webi reports post-migration.
- Supported UAT deployment.
Wildlife Conservation Dashboard
Created a reporting dashboard for tracking donations and donor engagement, enhancing data transparency.
- Conducted data profiling and cleansing.
Cognos to BO Replacement
Developed Webi and Crystal Reports over RDBMS to replace legacy Cognos reports.
- Replicated Cognos reports functionalities.
- Created Universes in BO 3.1.
Sales and KPI Dashboards
Developed dashboards that provided sales and performance analysis using Xcelsius and Data Services.
- Brought non-SAP data into BOBJ.
Mining Operations Dashboard
Created a dashboard to provide insights into mining operations, production, and export performance.
- Designed new universes based on requirements.
Data Quality Enhancement
Executed data profiling and created jobs for cleansing, parsing, and standardizing data using BODS.
- Performed match and consolidation tasks.
Database Upgrade Validation
Ensured data consistency and reporting functionality after migrating databases to Oracle R12.
- Tested Webi reports after migration.
Employee Management System
Built a console-based Employee Management System allowing CRUD operations using Core Java.
- Designed file handling for persistent storage.
Community & Leadership
Evangelizing data technologies, hosting developer forums, and training the next generation of engineers.
Global Education & Mentorship
- Instructor of popular online courses focusing on enterprise BI, including "Getting Started with Power BI" and "Understanding Key DAX Functions".
- Created a specialized course enabling Project Managers and Scrum Masters to connect Power BI with Azure DevOps (ADO) data via OData feeds and Analytics Views.
- Maintained high course ratings while answering technical queries and coaching learners globally on data architecture.
Speaking & Community Impact
- Core Member of the Hyderabad Data Community, driving local tech outreach, developer networking, and Power BI adoption.
- Power BI Bootcamps: Delivered sessions at Microsoft Offices in Hyderabad (300+ attendees) and Bangalore (400+ attendees) on semantic modeling and end-to-end data platform scenarios.
- Conference Speaker: Guest speaker at MACC3 (Microsoft Analytics Community Conference) and Data Toboggan 2025, presenting Power BI Architecture.
- Academic Mentorship: Conducted Power BI workshops at IIM Raipur (2 sessions) and PSG College of Arts & Science; guest lectured at Acharya Nagarjuna University UGC National Seminar.
- Industry & Hackathon Panelist: Served as a panelist at Siva Sivani Institute of Management (SSIM) and invited back as a Hackathon Jury Member at CBIT (Oct 2025).
Speaking & Community
Community Leader & Contributor
Analytics Discovery Hub & Power BI Skool
- Analytics Discovery Hub: Host free weekly Zoom calls to clarify student doubts every Thursday (9:00 PM - 10:00 PM).
🔗 Join the Weekly Sessions - Power BI Skool: Active top-contributor sharing knowledge and helping members.
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Speaker
Global Data Day
- Delivered in-person sessions on Power BI Reporting Projects at N. L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Mindlyft AI.
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Speaker
Microsoft Analytics Community Conference 3 (MACC3)
- Delivered deep-dive sessions across Power BI and Power Platform to a global audience.
🔗 View LinkedIn Post
Jury Member
Chaitanya Bharathi Institute Of Technology (CBIT) Hackathon
- Invited as an expert jury member to evaluate innovative data and AI solutions developed by students.
Speaker
Power BI ReStart Bootcamp
- Delivered a featured session on Semantic Models in Power BI for the Hyderabad Data Community.
🔗 View LinkedIn Post
Speaker
Global Data Day
- Presented on Analytics using Power BI to an audience of 200+.
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Speaker
Microsoft Analytics Community Conference 2
- Showcased a Power BI Demonstration to a virtual audience of 200+ professionals.
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Guest Instructor
IIM Raipur
- Conducted two comprehensive Power BI Workshop Training sessions for management students.
Technical Speaker
UGC-Sponsored National Seminar
- Invited speaker on 'Advances in Business Analytics and Intelligence'.
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Speaker
Data Toboggan - Winter Edition
- Presented a session on 'Power BI Data POC Project'.
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Networking Star & Host
The AI & Data Fest 2025 (Codebasics)
- Hosted and facilitated networking for AI and data enthusiasts.
Panellist
Business Analytics Panel Discussion
- Participated as an industry expert discussing 'Business Analytics: Insights & Impact'.
Speaker
Microsoft Fabric Bootcamp
- Demonstrated an end-to-end use case of Power BI to 300+ attendees.
🔗 View LinkedIn Post
Speaker
Microsoft Analytics Community Online Conference
- Conducted an online session on Power BI use cases.
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Speaker
Microsoft Fabric Bootcamp
- Delivered a session on Semantic Models in Power BI to 400+ attendees.
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Workshop Instructor
AI Universal University College
- Conducted an intensive virtual workshop on Power BI for over 120 students.
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Speaker & Mentor
Power BI and Career Guidance
- Hosted a workshop on Power BI skills and career guidance for 150+ attendees.
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Guest Speaker
Rotary Club of Hyderabad
- Delivered a special knowledge-sharing session for members on data analytics.
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Workshop Instructor
Power BI Workshop
- Conducted a workshop covering report building and dashboards.
Technical Skills
A cleanly categorized mapping of my technologies, architectural focus, and credentials.
Data Analytics
- Microsoft Fabric
- Delta Lake
- Medallion Architecture
- ETL/ELT Pipelines
- Azure ADLS Gen2 / OneLake
- PostgreSQL
- Snowflake
AI & Automation
- OpenAI API Integration
- Python
- Streamlit
- Power Automate
BI & Semantic Layer
- Enterprise Power BI Architecture
- Advanced DAX
- Power BI Embedded / Premium
- DirectLake Semantic Models
- Semantic Layer Modeling
- SAP Business Objects
- MicroStrategy
Programming & Web
- Python
- SQL
- Java
- HTML & CSS
- PHP
Professional Certifications
Education
Bachelor of Engineering (ECE)
Muffakham Jah College of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad
Class of 2005 – 2009High School Diploma / Intermediate (MPC)
Vikas Junior College (aka Holy Cross Co-operative Junior College)
Class of 2003 – 2005SSC (Regulars)
Mt. Helicon Public School
Class of 1993 – 2003Get In Touch
Have a report to build, a dashboard to design, or a data model to structure? Let's connect.
Contact Information
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