Perception varies among individuals
In the early 2000s, a significant shift was underway in the world of Business Intelligence. This transformation was marked by the emergence of Tableau Software, a company that would go on to reshape the way businesses approach data analysis.
The story of Tableau began in 2003, when Chris Stolte, a PhD student at Stanford University, proposed a novel approach to data visualization. His idea was to build the principles of data visualization into the analysis process itself. This innovative concept would form the foundation upon which Tableau would be built.
Around the same time, Jock Mackinlay, who worked at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), was also thinking about data and its role in large organizations. His concerns were echoed in George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, which portrayed a world where data was used to control and manipulate. Mackinlay's goal was to put data in the hands of the people, to democratize access to information.
In 2004, Stolte and his PhD supervisor Pat Hanrahan founded Tableau Software to put this technology into practice. The company's roots are in the computer graphics world, setting it apart from conventional business intelligence suppliers.
Tableau's software automatically identifies the best way to visualize a dataset and uses a visual interface for data analysis. This user-friendly approach allows more employees to analyze data, fostering a more participatory approach to business intelligence.
As IT departments adapt to this open conversation approach, they might need to consider the consequences of 'bring your own analysis' tools such as Tableau. Mackinlay believes that IT departments can act more efficiently with the push of information to every person in the company.
The democratization of business intelligence might be seen as a threat by some IT departments, but Mackinlay sees it as a positive. He believes that meaningful conversations can occur when interpretations about data are different.
Since its inception, Tableau has seen remarkable growth. Sales for the company doubled in 2011 and have risen 80% in the first half of 2019. Tableau is now the fastest growing supplier in the business intelligence market, according to analyst company Gartner.
As we move towards a world where 'bring your own device' is already commonplace, 'bring your own applications' is on the horizon. Tableau might enable 'bring your own analysis', further democratizing access to data and empowering individuals within organizations to make informed decisions.
In conclusion, Tableau Software has played a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of business intelligence. By putting data visualization at the heart of the analysis process and democratizing access to information, Tableau has made data analysis more accessible and participatory, fostering a more informed and engaged workforce.
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