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Bottom Line
The Tableau platform allows all levels of users to access, prepare, analyze and present data mining findings without possessing technical skills or knowledge of coding. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The company offers three versions of its self-service BI and data analytics tools: Tableau Desktop, Tableau Server and Tableau Online (the cloud version of its platform).
Over the last couple of years, the company has shifted its focus to enterprise data analytics users—though it continues to address the needs of companies of all sizes. Among its three key areas of focus: analytics for individuals, analytics for teams and organizations, and embedded analytics. It offers a strong in-memory engine.
Product Description
Maximizing the value of data is at the center of today’s data mining, business intelligence and analytics. Tableaus’ focus is on big data. The platform is optimized for use with Hadoop, Spark and NoSQL databases. It connects to numerous data formats, including both structured and unstructured data. These include: Salesforce, Google Analytics, Dropbox and Amazon Athena. Business dashboards deliver interactive real-time visualizations along with drill down capabilities.
The platform supports story points, a feature that allows users to present data for presentations and it supports multiple devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Tableau supports secure collaboration.
Overview and Features
User Base
All levels of expertise, from non-data scientists to experts.
Interface
Graphical drag-and-drop.
Integration
Extensive integration with virtually all outside data sources, including major open source platforms and NoSQL. The vendor offers an extensive set of APIs and a powerful SDK for handling integration and other tasks.
Reporting Formats
Ad hoc Analysis
Ad hoc Reporting
Predictive Analytics
Trend Indicators
Automated Scheduled Reporting
Customizable Dashboards
AI and Machine Learning Support
Yes. The platform offers a strong predictive analytics component.
User Sentiment
Tableau received a 4.3 rating at Gartner Peer Insights. It was awarded a Customers’ Choice 2018 distinction for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms.
Pricing
Tableau offers a tiered pricing model. Tableau Creator, designed for individual analysts and power users, starts at $70 per month per user. It is available in both cloud and on-premises versions. Tableau Explorer offers a governance self-service model for $35 per user per month. Tableau Viewer, which displays visualizations and reports, starts at $12 per user per month and can run slightly higher, depending on whether the license is deployed in the cloud or on-premises.
| Tableau | |
|---|---|
| Focus | Unified data science platform designed for all levels of users. |
| Key features and capabilities | Powerful drill-down and visualization features. Live and in-memory data processing. Connects to numerous platforms and data types that span structured and unstructured data. Strong mobile support. |
| User comments | Among the highest rated at Gartner Peer Review. Powerful, easy-to-use, seamless integration with other products. A few complain that the software requires additional configuration for maximum results. |
| Pricing and licensing | Tableau Creator, built for individual analysts and power users, starts at $70 per month per user. Tableau Explorer offers a governance self-service model for $35 per user per month. Tableau Viewer, for those that require only visualizations and reports, starts at $12 per user per month. |
