BI Tools
Last Updated: September 26, 2023 4:42:43 PM PDT
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Learn about the business intelligence tools available at UC San Diego.
BIA provides support for Business Intelligence tools used at UC San Diego.
Which BI Tool is Right For Me?
- I blend data with left and right joins --> Start in Cognos
- I create complicated calculations --> Start in Cognos
- I create list reports and pivot tables --> Start in Cognos
- I create mainly charts --> Start in Tableau
- I create a mix of lists and charts --> Either tool will work for you
- I have a limited budget --> Start in Cognos
- I have existing skills --> Start in the tool you know
You can create the same standard reports in each tool, so you can't go wrong with your choice. Each person will naturally gravitate to one tool over the other based on their personal experience and what features they commonly need to meet their business reporting requirements.
Compare these BI tools based on your needs:
Needs |
Cognos Analytics |
Tableau |
|---|---|---|
| Display as List | Yes | Limited |
| Display as Pivot Table / Cross Tab | Yes | Yes |
| Display as Visualizations | Yes | Yes |
| Area Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Bar / Column Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Line Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Combo Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Bubble Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Bullet Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Scatter Plot | Yes | Yes |
| Maps | Yes | Yes |
| Word Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Calculations | Yes | Yes |
| Sub-Queries | Yes | No |
| Upload your data to the secure BI server | Yes | Yes |
| Blend multiple data sources | Yes | Limited |
| PDF output | Yes | Yes |
| Excel output for data download | Yes - not recommended | Yes - not recommended |
| Email distribution set up | Manual / automatic | Manual |
| Email distribution to | Self / Group | Self |
| Web interaction (1) | Yes | Yes |
| Self-service | Yes | Yes |
| Can be embedded into another website | Yes | Yes |
| Can hyperlink/drill through to another website | Yes | Yes |
| BI Tool Origin | Finance, Calculations | Visualizations |
| Validated data sources | Yes | Yes |
| BIA supported | Yes | Yes |
| Cost to your department for report development | Free | $$$ |
| Cost to use existing reports only | Free | Free |
| Free Training | YouTube | Tableau.com |
Notes:
(1) Be sure to check that your BI tool of choice is compatible with your browser.
Contact the IT Services Business Intelligence and Analytics Team with questions.