A Checklist for Selecting a Self-Service BI Solution

[Editor’s Note: This is our fifth installment in our “Self-Service Business Intelligence Blog Series.” In our previous installments, we provided a brief glimpse into the oversaturated Business Intelligence market, defined the Business Benefits of BI and provided a step-by-step framework for evaluating self-service BI solutions.]

This is our final installment in our “Self-Service Business Intelligence Blog Series.” In this blog post, we’ll briefly highlight a list of high-performing and leading vendors as analyzed by G2 Crowd reviews in their bi-annual report. Second, we’ll provide an evaluation process checklist for you to use as a complementary guide when evaluating vendors.

Last week, we shared an infographic outlining how to evaluate a self-service BI solution and we recommend that you use that infographic as a complementary guide to this blog post. The data presented in G2 Crowd’s most recent industry report on self-service BI named the following vendors as either high-performers or leaders in the market:

Source: G2 Crowd Self-Service Business Intelligence - Winter 2017

Alteryx

Alteryx provides a platform where analysts and line-of-business (LOB) users such as Sales, Marketing and Finance can feel empowered with self-service analytics, giving them the ability to prep, blend and analyze their data.

Chartio

Chartio is a cloud-based data exploration solution that is simple enough for everyone to use yet powerful enough for the data team. Chartio enables users to explore, transform and visualize their data in real-time - without requiring any SQL knowledge.

Dundas BI

Dundas BI provides an enterprise-ready BI and Data Visualization solution by offering an end-to-end, self-service and fully customizable solution that allows users to connect, interact and visualize their data.

Microsoft Power BI

Power BI is a business analytics service by Microsoft and provides interactive visualizations with self-service BI capabilities, where end users can create reports and dashboards.

SAP Crystal Reports

With SAP Crystal Reports, users can create powerful and dynamic reports from any data source. SAP Crystal Reports serves the Mid-Market (51 - 1000 employees) and Small Business (50 or under employees) range of customers with top industries in Information Technology, Computer Software and Machinery.

Tableau

Tableau Desktop is a standalone application run on both Windows and Mac operating systems for developing dashboards and data visualizations. From the application, users can create reports, charts and run ad hoc analyses.

Qlik Sense

Qlik Sense is a self-service data visualization and discovery application designed for individuals, groups and organizations to use their data in the decision-making process. Qlik Sense serves the Mid-Market (51 - 1000 employees) and Enterprise (1001+ employees) range of customers with top industries in Computer Software, Gambling and Casinos and Information Technology.

For a full vendor list and to view a head-to-head comparison of all mentioned vendors, read the G2 Crowd report. To further facilitate your self-service BI evaluation process, click here to get an evaluation checklist, which you can use throughout your journey as you evaluate the leading solutions.

If you missed any of our previous blog posts in this series, download our white paper, The Business Buyer’s Guide to Self-Service Business Intelligence to get the full story on how to evaluate a BI solution that fits your company’s needs.

**Image source: G2 Crowd Self-Service Business Intelligence - Winter 2017