What is Tableau?

Tableau is the fastest-growing platform for visual analytics on the market. It allows users to simplify raw data into a format that’s easy to access and understand by those working at any level of an organization. Even non-technical Tableau users can create customized dashboards and worksheets with the help of this versatile tool. It’s relied on by teachers, students, Data Scientists, Analysts, executives, and business owners for their end-to-end analytics needs. This is why Tableau is considered to be the leading analytics platform for business intelligence.

Since its founding in 2003, Tableau has evolved from a computer science project of students at Stanford into one of the most widely used data visualization tools in existence. Tableau was created as a way to improve analysis flow and use visualizations to make data more accessible. This value continues to inform Tableau’s evolution. Currently, Tableau offers a complete and integrated platform for data analytics. It provides its customers with the necessary resources to help them thrive in a data-driven culture.

Some of Tableau’s most remarkable features include its capacity for data blending, real-time analysis, and data collaboration. Because Tableau does not require programming skills or technical expertise to operate, users of all backgrounds can easily work with this software. It can be installed directly onto one’s hardware from a web download and be operational in just twenty minutes.

Benefits of Using Tableau

Those who work with Tableau for their data analytics and data visualization needs point out many benefits to using this software. It:

  • Performs well on mobile devices.
  • Can handle large amounts of data.
  • Is able to connect to multiple data sources.
  • Works with multiple scripting languages.
  • Has minimal hardware requirements and does not require a dedicated server.
  • Reduces network traffic.
  • Has a growing community and forum of engaged users.

Because of its accessibility and various features that simplify the data analysis and visualization process, Tableau product suite is used by many companies, like Skype, Wells Fargo, Nike, and Coca-Cola. In fact, thousands of companies and organizations rely on Tableau for their data analytic and visualization needs.

Pricing of Tableau Products

The following list reflects the cost of licenses for various Tableau products and services deployed with Tableau Online (please note that price points vary slightly for those deployed with the Tableau Server):

  • Tableau Public: This platform allows users to share their data visualizations online with others in a public space. Tableau Public is free to download and use.
  • Tableau Creator: This suite of products can be used for preparing data, analytics, and collaborative needs within an organization. It costs $70/month for individual use, or for each member of an organization or team who uses it. Those who purchase Tableau Creator are billed annually. This product includes a license for Tableau Desktop, Tableau Prep Builder, and one Creator license for either Tableau Online or Tableau Server.
  • Tableau Explorer: This product offers Data Analysts regulated data exploration and authoring capabilities. It is intended for those who don’t need to publish or connect to raw data sources, and do not require all of the transformation capabilities included with Tableau Prep Builder. Tableau Explorer can be purchased for teams and entire organizations. It costs $42/month per user. A minimum of five explorers are required when purchasing. Those working with Explorer are billed annually for use.
  • Tableau Viewer: This role-based license option housed on Tableau Server helps users locate and interact with the work done by those using on Creator or Explorer. One of the benefits of Viewer is that it ensures data is secure. Teams or organizations that work with Tableau Viewer are charged $15/month per user for this service. Bills are due annually. Those wishing to purchase this product are required to buy a minimum of 100 Viewers.

In addition to the pricing options for the various Tableau products, there are also add-on management features available for Tableau Server that can be purchased separately, as needed. These cost $5.50/month for each user, a bill that is due annually. Tableau users can also elect to buy an add-on server management feature. It costs $3/month for each user and the yearlong bill is paid annually. The data management feature can also be purchased for the same price ($5.50) and used on Tableau Online.

Tableau’s Resource Blocks are also available for interested Tableau users. These blocks consist of units of computing capacity and are intended for use in Tableau Online and Tableau Prep. They run Tableau Prep Conductor flows; each can run one flow in a given time. Those who wish to license the data management add-on when using Tableau online are required to buy at least one Resource Block as well. Blocks cost $250/month, which is due annually.

In addition, Tableau offers an Embedded Analytics platform, designed for organizations that hope to share their data findings with clients and other external stakeholders but do not currently have the necessary resources to construct them. Because pricing details are not publicly available at this time, those interested in purchasing Tableau’s Embedded Analytics must reach out to Tableau directly for a quote.

Finally, Tableau also offers an eLearning training package for those who wish to study Tableau at their own speed. This web-based training includes interactive courses for those who are new to Tableau, as well as more experienced Data Analysts and Data Scientists. Individuals who are interested in purchasing an eLearning license for Creator can do so for $10/user/month, or can purchase an eLearning package license for Explorer for $5/user/month. Payment is due annually for either eLearning package.

The Bottom Line

Selecting the best Tableau product or service depends on a variety of factors, such as your company’s size, its budget, and the sort of visualization, storage, and collaboration capabilities that are needed in order for individuals and team members to be able to gather the most helpful insights from data, and share them in the most effective manner. Luckily, Tableau provides a variety of great options for individuals, teams, companies, and organizations.

Hands-On Tableau Classes

For those who want to learn how to create stunning and engaging data visualizations, maps, charts, and graphs, Noble Desktop’s Tableau classes provide a great option. These small group classes are available in-person in NYC, as well as in the live online format. These Tableau-focused courses teach students skills like how to spot the most optimal datasets to connect to, as well as how to analyze, filter, structure, and visually represent data.

In addition, a variety of live online Tableau courses are also currently available from top training providers. These interactive classes are taught in real-time and provide all learners with access to an instructor who is live and ready to provide feedback and answer questions. Courses range from seven hours to five days in duration and cost $299- $2,199.

Those who are interested in finding nearby Tableau classes can use Noble’s Tableau Classes Near Me tool. This handy tool provides an easy way to locate and browse more than three dozen of the best Tableau classes currently offered in the in-person and live online formats so that all interested learners can find the course that works best for them.