General Concept
Virtual Data Platform is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. In this context, SaaS implies that the core and all features are maintained and hosted externally from the customer's IT systems. This eliminates the need of an expensive IT team on the customer's side. To manage responsibilities within VDP, different roles are defined, which can be assigned to users based on underlying licenses. There are two possibilities where the roles and licenses can be adminstrated:
- Microsoft Marketplace (Microsoft AppSource)
- VDP Portal and direct contact to the VDP Team (recommended)
The licensing concept involves a basic license that every user needs, along with add-ons for specific functionalities. In addition to user licenses, there are specific licenses for applications, such as Excel. The following provides some general information about the role and license system of Virtual Data Platform.
User Roles
The functionalities and features within Virtual Data Platform are structured based on user roles. The following roles exist within Virtual Data Platform, each allowing users to perform specific tasks within the platform. Users can have multiple roles.
User: The user role, sometimes also referred to as 'VDP User', focuses on the consumption of Virtual Datasets. This role does not require specific knowledge about data modeling or Source System configuration. Users with this role usually only retrieve data within an application via an App Connector. The typical user primarily uses the Portal for information purposes.
Creator: In addition to the user, the Creator, sometimes also referred to as VDP Creator, has the ability to create new Functions or Models. The creator can access everything in the Portal that is necessary to do so. Experience in data modeling might be helpful. The typical creator is limited to their own Workspace.
Global Creator: The Global Creator has the same features and functionalities as the Creator but can work across all workspaces within a VDP Tenant.
Admin: The role involves the administration and general technical configuration of Virtual Data Platform. Individuals in this role do not engage in data consumption, Function or Model usage. Knowledge about source system configuration might be required. The admin is also responsible for the administration of other Users and Creators.
VDP Enterprise Creator: VDP enterprise creator role is required to manage Virtual Datasets in MyCompany workspace
Licenses
Licenses can be distinguished into licenses for users and licenses for App Connectors. Please obtain all billing information from the provided Microsoft links below in the administration section.
User Role Licenses
The user role license is partially based on an add-on concept. This means that the creator needs a standard user license as a basis, and additionally, the global creator requires both. However, this does not apply to the global admin license, which does not require the standard user role. The following lists the existing licenses, equivalent to the user roles defined above.
IMPORTANT: Not all licenses are available for purchase through all channels. If licenses are purchased via the Microsoft Marketplace, all licenses must be acquired. However, if licenses are purchased directly through the VDP Sales Team, only the User License and the Creator Add-on (VDP Creator) need to be acquired. This is due to technical reasons.
- Virtual Data Platform - User License (Microsoft AppSource and VDP direct)
- Virtual Data Platform - Creator Add-on for User License (Microsoft AppSource and VDP direct)
- Virtual Data Platform - Admin Role for User License (Microsoft AppSource only)
- Virtual Data Platform - Global Creator Role for Creator Add-on (Microsoft AppSource only)
The 'Global Admin Role for the Creator Add-on' is not enabled yet since there are no different Workspaces available.
App Connector Licenses
Different licenses are available to use Virtual Data Platform from specific clients. Currently, the only license available is for the Excel Add-In. This is independent of whether the other user licenses are purchased through Microsoft AppSource or VDP directly.
- Virtual Data Platform for Microsoft Excel
This license needs to be ordered initially and can then be assigned to each user. Please note that the Excel Add-In can be used only in combination with at least a User License for Virtual Data Platform. Additional details are given in the description of the VDP Excel Add-In in AppSource.