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Tableau Geek & Proud!
Updated March 16, 2016

Tableau Geek & Proud!

James Wilson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

8.1

Modules Used

  • 8.0
  • 7.0

Overall Satisfaction with Tableau Desktop

Tableau Desktop and Server are being used through my entire organization to create long-term, sustainable reporting to answer business questions and support analysis. Additionally, Tableau helps to support operations because data from multiple sources can be combined and presented in one place. Our dashboards provide the business with institutional knowledge which in turn allows stakeholders to make data-driven business decisions. Bridgepoint Education has team members all across the United States. With the use of Tableau Server every member of the organization has the ability to access these data assets and visualizations.
  • Tableau Desktop helps end users create data visualizations quickly and with little knowledge of the product. The simple user interface and the ability to “drag and drop” measures and dimensions isn’t found in any other analytics tool.
  • Multiple data types and sources can be connected to Tableau. From organizations using Excel to house data or large institutions using Vertica and Hadoop, anyone can use Tableau for analysis.
  • The ability to create dashboards and create a smooth end user experience is exceptional. Tableau allows an individual with no prior knowledge of the tool to navigate the dashboard and gain data insights.
  • Tableau should add navigational buttons. There should be an easier way to jump to multiple tabs within a dashboard.
  • Dynamic parameters. There should be a way to tie a parameter to a column and if new variables are placed in the column, the parameter should update as well.
  • The background shading (or coloring) of quick filters and parameters should be individualized. Currently if one parameter’s color is changed, all of the parameters on the dashboard change as well.
  • Excel,SSRS
Tableau is by far the superior product when it comes to analysis, ease of use, and end user experience. People are usually more familiar with Excel so it can be difficult to break them out of their comfort zone. Lastly, when it comes to subscriptions, SSRS is the tool I prefer. Tableau should create a way to easily send visualizations via Outlook.
I ultimately do not make this decision however, my organization has used this tool since 2010 and I do not see them ever stopping their licensing agreement with Tableau. Tableau is becoming an industry standard. Even large companies like Twitter are using this software to answer business questions within their organization. As more companies collect data about their customers, they are going to need a strong analytics tool to help examine the information. Tableau meets that need.
  • Better departmental communication.
  • Distribution of data throughout the organization has increased.
  • The entire organization is focused on automating reporting and creating standard analysis procedures which can be used continuously.
Many organizations prefer information in crosstabs or spreadsheets. This is not something that Tableau does particularly well nor should it. If an organization is looking to view raw data, in columns and rows, I would purchase a different product. Resources to be successful should include: the Tableau forums and the online tutorials. I do not recommend organizations paying for Tableau classes or paying consultants. The only way to successfully learn the software is to work on projects and scenarios that are relevant to your business. Have contests to see who can create the best visualizations and dashboard. Then have the winner walk the team through the process.

Tableau Desktop Implementation

Using Tableau Desktop

Tableau Desktop Reliability

Upgrading Tableau Desktop

Yes - The 9.2 release went extremely well for Sharp Healthcare. We only experienced a one hour downtime. This was my first upgrade with Tableau and I was thoroughly impressed. All of the workbooks, permissions, AD users, and refresh schedules remained intact after the upgrade. Two unexpected things did happen after the upgrade. 1) Dashboards seems to render a few seconds slower than before. Additionally,
users encounter a blank white screen when first entering a dashboard. It would
be better if Tableau Server indicated something was happening.

2) Dashboards are now centered in the middle of the browser.
This becomes awkward when workbooks with multiple tabs are all not the same
size.