Qlik VS Tableau

Once upon a time in the world of data visualization, two powerful contenders emerged - QlikView and Tableau. These software giants revolutionized the way businesses analyze and interpret their data, providing intuitive and interactive tools to unlock valuable insights. Join us on this epic journey as we delve into the history of both QlikView and Tableau, exploring their key features, differences, and how they have transformed the data analytics landscape.

Our story begins with QlikView, introduced to the world in 1993 by a Swedish company named QlikTech (now known as Qlik). With a vision to make data accessible to everyone, they developed an innovative technology called "associative indexing." This breakthrough allowed users to explore and analyze data without predefined queries or hierarchies. QlikView's unique approach enabled users to freely navigate through their data, making unexpected discoveries along the way.

Meanwhile, across the pond in Seattle, Washington, Tableau Software was founded in 2003 by Chris Stolte, Christian Chabot, and Pat Hanrahan. Their mission was simple yet ambitious - to help people see and understand their data. Tableau's founders envisioned a tool that would empower users to create visualizations effortlessly, without requiring extensive technical skills. They believed that democratizing data analysis could drive innovation and informed decision-making across industries.

Now let's fast forward to today and explore the battle between these two industry titans - QlikView versus Tableau.

QlikView:

QlikView prides itself on its associative model, which enables users to explore data from multiple perspectives dynamically. With its patented in-memory technology, QlikView processes vast amounts of data rapidly while maintaining optimal performance. Users can create interactive dashboards with drag-and-drop functionality, offering a seamless experience for both technical and non-technical users alike.

One of QlikView's standout features is its associative search capability. Users can search for any term, and QlikView instantly highlights related data across all dimensions. This allows users to quickly uncover hidden insights and relationships within their data, facilitating a deeper understanding of their business.

Furthermore, QlikView offers robust collaboration features. Users can share their analyses with others, enabling collaborative decision-making and fostering a data-driven culture within organizations. Moreover, QlikView's mobile app ensures that users can access their visualizations on-the-go, keeping them connected to their data at all times.

Tableau:

Tableau, on the other hand, focuses on providing an intuitive and user-friendly interface for data exploration and visualization. With its drag-and-drop functionality, even non-technical users can create stunning visualizations in seconds. Tableau's strength lies in its ability to connect to various data sources seamlessly, allowing users to blend disparate datasets effortlessly.

Tableau offers a vast array of visualization options, from basic charts to complex geographical maps. Its extensive library of pre-built visualizations and templates empowers users to present their data in compelling and meaningful ways. Furthermore, Tableau's interactive dashboards enable users to drill down into specific data points or filter information dynamically.

One of Tableau's standout features is its storytelling capability. Users can create interactive narratives by combining multiple visualizations into a single dashboard. This feature allows users to guide their audience through the story behind the data visually.

The Battle:

As these two giants clashed in the realm of data analytics, both QlikView and Tableau continuously evolved and introduced new features to stay ahead of the competition.

QlikView expanded its offerings beyond traditional BI capabilities by introducing Qlik Sense in 2014. Qlik Sense provided self-service analytics capabilities while retaining the associative model that made QlikView famous. This allowed users to create personalized visualizations independently while maintaining consistency across the organization.

Tableau responded with Tableau Prep in 2018 - a tool designed to streamline and simplify the data preparation process. Tableau Prep empowered users to clean, shape, and combine data from various sources more efficiently, saving valuable time and effort.

In 2019, Qlik acquired Attunity, a data integration and big data management company. This acquisition strengthened Qlik's capabilities in handling large-scale data environments and expanded its offerings for customers dealing with complex data landscapes.

Not to be outdone, Tableau made headlines in 2019 when it was acquired by Salesforce - a global leader in customer relationship management (CRM) software. This acquisition marked a significant milestone for Tableau, as it gained access to Salesforce's vast customer base and resources, further solidifying its position as a market leader.

Whether you choose QlikView or Tableau ultimately depends on your specific requirements, preferences, and the nature of your data analysis tasks. Regardless of your choice, these two industry giants have forever changed the way we explore and understand our data, enabling businesses of all sizes to make informed decisions based on actionable insights.