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.
Tableau’s dynamic software makes the process of using data to both ask and answer questions an intuitive one. The visuals that drive analysis allow users to continue to ask “why,” even when this question grows in scope or complexity. In addition, sharing visual results within a company, organization, or business can lead to more informed decision-making, greater collaboration, and more successful business outcomes.
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.
What is Tableau Exchange?
Tableau Exchange was announced at the keynote address of Tableau Conference in 2021. This evolution of Tableau’s Extensions gallery offers Data Analysts a hub from which Tableau users can search offerings from other Tableau Community members that can be used to help with their own analytic needs. Tableau Exchange provides an array of pre-built solutions for use cases, data sources, and partner integrations. Once datasets are added, this hub will contain the necessary connectors, extensions, accelerators, and data connections to drive the future of data analytics.
Tableau Exchange is expected to fuel new ideas by helping Data Analysts with the problem of the blank canvas. The customizable solutions it provides are helpful for organizations at all stages of the creation process. This powerful platform helps Tableau users to devote their efforts to insights and actions.
In the prior Tableau Extension Gallery, users had access to Tableau Extensions, which provided additional functionality to dashboards that use web applications. In addition, Connectors were available in the Extension Gallery as well, which gave users access to additional apps and databases. Once datasets are incorporated into Tableau Exchange, this integrated hub will help to transform the data-driven world by providing fast methods to uncover actionable data insights. Tableau Exchange opens up the possibility of companies one day using, publishing, and even purchasing or selling data that is analysis-ready.
Features of Tableau Exchange
Tableau’s Extension Gallery is now known as Tableau Exchange, where users come to begin their data analytic journeys, locate actionable data, and find answers to questions. Users are able to access Tableau resources, as well as those of third-party partners, to help with data analysis.
Tableau Exchange offers many improvements from the Extension Gallery. It now includes a variety of helpful features, such as:
- Tableau Accelerators: A variety of industry-specific Accelerators are now available on Tableau Exchange that can be used to drive the early steps of data analysis. They allow users to quickly create robust dashboards with your data that are tailored to specific industry applications. Accelerators include pre-made dashboards that take users directly into the problem at hand and allow them to design their own engaging visualizations in just minutes. Currently, there are more than 200 Accelerators available in more than seven languages, which can be used for cases spanning industries.
- Einstein Discovery: This powerful tool provides recommendations and predictions within Tableau workflows. It uses machine learning technology to drive more informed decision-making. Einstein Discovery enables users to design their own predictive models without having to write a single algorithm.
- Collaborative capabilities with Slack: Tableau can now be integrated with Slack so that users can receive Tableau notifications in this centralized workplace.
How to Submit a Connector to Tableau Exchange?
Those who are interested in submitting a connector to Tableau Exchange can do so by completing the following ten steps:
- First, join the Tableau Developer Program. This provides users with access to a free development sandbox.
- Create your desired integration.
- Enroll in the Technology Partner Program, which allows Tableau to share confidential information with you, as well as to use its marketing channels to promote your products.
- Send a request to publish your connector in Tableau Exchange.
- Sign the Tableau Exchange Agreement.
- In order to receive approval for your connector, submit TDVT results.
- Go-to-Market materials and activities must then be prepared and approved by Tableau. Some users elect to issue press releases or blog posts for customers pertaining to their custom connectors. Tableau-specific press releases can also be issued at this time. Those interested in doing so must first submit it for approval to Tableau to guarantee that it accurately represents the Tableau brand. There is a two-week review window for press releases that are submitted to Tableau PR.
- To enable beta testing, the connector must be released in Tableau Exchange.
- Wait for beta-testing feedback from at least five customers in order to ensure that the connector is working as predicted. Once five or more customers complete the beta testing process, which takes approximately 30 minutes, they must then submit feedback indicating that there were no problems designing or publishing workbooks onto Tableau Server or Tableau Desktop. If any problems occur, they must be fixed, and the customer then has to rerun the beta test. If no complications are found, then the connector can then be released to a general audience.
- The final step is launching the connector in Tableau Exchange and publishing Go-To-Market documents. Users can also select a specific time and date for publication.
Tableau Exchange is just one of many exciting advancements in the Tableau community that is expected to continue to transform the way data is analyzed and shared.
Start Learning Tableau with Hands-On Classes
Do you want to learn how to create stunning and engaging data visualizations, maps, charts, and graphs using the fastest-growing visualization platform on the market? If so, 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. Tableau 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 nearly 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.