Tableau from a BI consultant view.
Updated July 07, 2015

Tableau from a BI consultant view.

Charles Hooper | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

8

Modules Used

  • Desktop, Public, reader, Server, Onbline

Overall Satisfaction with Tableau Server

As a consultant, I work with many organizations, all using Tableau Sever differently. Some implementations are department oriented, and, some are total enterprise installations.
Tableau Server facilitates the secure, controlled, sharing of work done my Tableau Desktop analysts and developers.
  • Ease of use - connecting to different data sources, and, in visualizing data.
  • Rapid and intuitive analysis.
  • Easy to share (Tableau Server)
  • In Tableau Desktop version 8.1, a direct interface to the 'R' open source statistical library was implemented. This allows for a major enhancement in the ability to do high-end statistics. I would love to see an interface where I did not, also, have to know 'R' syntax. But, for now, this enhancement is great!
Looked at Cognos, Microstrategy and Business Objects. All were too IT / technical intensive. Moved to Tableau due to ease of use.
No question - I am a "lifer"!
  • As a consultant, it is my clients that benefit. NDAs prevent my disclosing details.
I've been to Tableau Customer Conferences. The passion of the customer base is like no other...

Tableau Server Feature Ratings

Customizable dashboards
10
Drill-down analysis
10
Formatting capabilities
8
Integration with R or other statistical packages
10
Report sharing and collaboration
10
Publish to Web
10
Publish to PDF
10
Report Delivery Scheduling
10
Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)
10
Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization
10
Predictive Analytics
6
Multi-User Support (named login)
10
Role-Based Security Model
8
Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)
10
Responsive Design for Web Access
6
Mobile Application
3
Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile
7

Using Tableau Server

1 - I am sole proprietor - only employee.
1 - Sole proprietor. I don't "support it". I use it. It never needs support - it just works.
  • I am a BI consultant - use Tableau for my clients (retail, manufacturing, healthcare, education, etc.)
  • Ease of use - allows users that are not technical, but, know their business, to gain insights.

Evaluating Tableau Server and Competitors

Switched to Tableau back in 2005 when I saw where they were headed. Had previously been a Brio Query user.

Tableau Server Implementation

Easy and fast. Desktop and Server can be implemented in well under an hour.
  • Implemented in-house
Self service implementation. No issues implementing Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server.

Tableau Server Training

  • Online training
  • Self-taught
Tableau has excellent on-demand training material - web based and free....
It is easy to get started - new users can be productive quickly with an hour of web based, free training. The real power of Tableau is tremendous - not sure anyone could ever learn it all!

Tableau Server Support

My support requests are rare, but, always acted on, and resolved, quickly.
No - Full support is included - no additional charge...

Integrating Tableau Server

  • No. Tableau is not an "integrate with" type of tool. It connects to all kinds of data sources to enable rapid and intuitive ad hoc query and analysis, as well as building analytic views/dashboards for sharing.

Relationship with Tableau

I did not negotiate - felt the price I paid was more than fair.