Data visualization tools and software translate data and metrics into charts and graphs to help companies track business metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) in real time so they can better understand performance and goals. These can be delivered and displayed in various formats, including charts, graphs, reports, and dashboards. These tools help translate quantitative data and metrics into easy-to-understand visualizations. In regards to dashboards, there are various forms of visuals that one can create and view, such as scorecards and easy-to-interpret visualizations of company data to follow the trends and KPIs. Many data visualization software provides drag-and-drop functionality and other non-technical capabilities, so the average business user can build necessary dashboards. However, some do offer the ability to create dashboards using code. Data visualization software can consume data from many sources, including file uploads, databases, and business applications. Connecting certain applications or databases may require some IT involvement or coding knowledge.
Dashboards with real-time data are particularly helpful to allow business users to understand business applications and systems, such as ERP systems and CRM software. However, in some cases, one might want to export these visualizations to share them as reports via email or other communication channels. This can be helpful if one is looking to send a targeted overview of data to busy executives or clients. In addition, these tools can be used to craft visualizations, such as charts and graphs, that can be exported in various formats, such as PNG and JPEG, to create content with visualizations of data. This content creation can often be accomplished collaboratively, allowing users to collaborate across devices and device types. Users looking for tools solely focused on diagramming can look to diagramming software to build flow charts, floor plans, and more.
The best data visualization tools are specifically designed to benchmark and visualize important metrics and are not intended to be used for robust, complicated data analysis. While some data visualization products may offer drill-down or data-joining functionality, their primary purpose is to provide dashboards and visualizations to monitor business-critical data. Users looking for analysis-specific tools should look to analytics platforms. Analytics platforms, specifically of the self-service variety, can help businesses query and visualize their data without the need for IT support. Finally, business users and developers who are interested in embedding their visualizations in applications can use embedded business intelligence software to accomplish this goal.
To qualify for inclusion in the Data Visualization Tools category, a product must:
- Consume data from a variety of sources through file uploads, database querying, and application connectors
- Provide visual representation of key performance indicators
