Tableau is one of the world’s most commonly used data visualization tools for companies of all sizes. Data scientists use this program to create charts and graphs that illustrate their findings in an eye-grabbing way.
These appealing visuals help communicate important details to a wide audience and ensure that the information is understandable, even to those with a limited background in data analytics. Users particularly praise Tableau for its ease of use; it helps people with varying levels of expertise to better understand a dataset. The software is applicable in virtually every industry, and Tableau’s Business Dashboards offer several convenient templates to help report your findings.
What Is Data Visualization?
To understand how Tableau does what it does, it helps to have a basic understanding of data visualization. This field is designed to appealingly and understandably illustrate the information found within raw data. Using graphs or charts helps convey more complex data-related concepts to those who aren’t familiar with analytics. Data visualization tools allow an audience to quickly process information and pay attention to trends they may not have noticed otherwise. People are more likely to want to engage with something like a graph instead of a spreadsheet, even though they may be displaying the same information.
There are numerous benefits for businesses that utilize data visualization. It can help employees quickly understand which areas of the business need to be improved. You can also use it to predict sales patterns and address minor struggles before they become major problems. With the help of data visualization, many businesses can determine a concrete set of action steps to maximize performance.
Basic Functions of Tableau
Tableau’s primary goal is to help businesses use their data to gain insight into their processes and improve outcomes. By making this process simple, even for those without an analytical background, the hope is that more employees will be able to use data visualization to their advantage.
Tableau has several different products available. Each product has unique features and price points. Tableau Prep allows users to access any data source and both build and manage data flows throughout your organization. Tableau Desktop (sometimes referred to as the “gold standard” of data visualization tools) boasts a user-friendly interface that allows you to control how you want to engage with your data. Tableau Online and Tableau Server enable you to share your data securely and collaborate with others regardless of physical location. Finally, Tableau Mobile is an app available for both Android and iOS which allows users to conveniently keep track of their dashboards no matter where they are.
Pros and Cons of Using Tableau
Professionals who have worked with Tableau cite several benefits of working with this software. Above all else, Tableau users feel that the software is the best when it comes to the quality of the available visualization tools. Along these same lines, Tableau is frequently praised for being very intuitive and user-friendly. Of course, more complicated functionalities are important to learn, but even a beginner can use the program to create basic graphs without too much difficulty. Tableau has quick performance speeds, even when working with large amounts of data. It also has a robust community of supportive users who often support each other when the need to troubleshoot arises.
Like any software program, Tableau does have some drawbacks. Users often mention that the cost of Tableau is a barrier to more businesses being able to access the software. The licensing fee is quite expensive, especially for smaller businesses. Tableau’s sales model also requires additional installation and staff training fees that may prove too costly for some organizations. Some users also criticize Tableau for its limited support to users once the product has been purchased. Finally, Tableau has been met with criticism related to security issues. They require that every user has an individual account which increases the opportunity for a system to be hacked.
Deciding whether Tableau will work best for your needs may depend on a few key factors. You’ll want to make sure that the cost of the program will fit in your organization’s budget. It will also be important to consider whether you have the software capabilities to effectively run the program. There are alternatives to using Tableau, but it’s challenging to find comparable data visualization tools that produce the same quality of visuals.
Take Tableau Classes With Career Centers
If you’re interested in learning more about Tableau and Data Visualization, why not check out the Tableau courses at Career Centers? You can take classes online from your own home, or in person in New York City. All classes with Career Centers offer a free retake within one year to support their students and make sure they feel comfortable taking their new skills into the workforce.
You can start with the Tableau Level I course which is targeted toward beginners and then move onto the Tableau Level II course once you gain more experience. Both of these options are available weekdays or weeknights and are seven hours each. There is also a Tableau Bootcamp, which combines the Level I and Level II courses for a reduced cost. For those who want to learn more about Data Visualization in general, Career Centers also offers a Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp. This 60-hour course covers Tableau, but it also highlights other data visualization tools like Excel and SQL.