Looker vs Birst: Best Cloud BI Tool for Multi-tenant Analytics

At Deploi, we understand that choosing the right cloud-based Business Intelligence (BI) tool can be daunting, especially when your organization operates in a multi-tenant environment. You're not just looking for a tool that transforms data into actionable insights; you're seeking a robust, scalable solution that offers seamless integration and stellar performance. Today, we'll dive deep into two leading contenders in the BI space: Looker and Birst. Our aim is to provide you with the clarity you need to make an informed decision that aligns with your strategic goals.

Imagine a world where your data analytics platform doesn't just serve a single department but caters to multiple clients, each with their own unique requirements and data sets. This is where multi-tenant analytics shines, and it's precisely the problem both Looker and Birst aim to solve. So, which one is the best fit for your organization? Let's explore.

What is Looker?

Looker is a modern, cloud-based BI platform that enables teams to explore, analyze, and share real-time business analytics effortlessly. Built on top of an innovative data modeling language called LookML, Looker provides a flexible, scalable solution designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing data stack.

Key Features of Looker

1. Data Modeling with LookML: Looker’s proprietary modeling language, LookML, allows you to define and reuse business logic. It takes the complexity out of SQL queries and brings consistency across your organization.
2. Real-time Data Insights: With Looker, data is always fresh and real-time. This immediate access to data helps in making timely, data-driven decisions.
3. Seamless Integration: Looker easily integrates with multiple databases, cloud platforms, and third-party services, ensuring you can leverage all your existing data sources without hassle.
4. Customizable Dashboards: Create intuitive, interactive dashboards that can be customized to suit various user needs, elevating the user experience.
5. Collaboration and Data Sharing: Looker fosters transparency and collaboration by enabling easy data sharing and commentary within the platform.

What is Birst?

Birst, an Infor company, is a comprehensive cloud BI and analytics platform designed to connect the entire organization through a networked business intelligence approach. Its networked BI capabilities provide both decentralized data discovery and centralized governance, ideal for multi-tenant analytics.

Key Features of Birst

1. Networked BI Architecture: Birst’s unique architecture allows for horizontal scaling, integrating various data sources into a cohesive analytical framework suitable for multi-tenant environments.
2. Automated Data Refinement: Birst automates data preparation and optimizes data management, ensuring data accuracy and consistency across the platform.
3. Adaptive User Experience: The user interface adapts to different roles within the organization, from data engineers to business users, making it easier for everyone to access the data they need.
4. Robust Security and Governance: Birst places a strong emphasis on data governance, ensuring that data security and compliance are maintained throughout the analytical process.
5. Integration and Extensibility: Birst integrates seamlessly with enterprise applications, ERP systems, and CRM applications, providing an extensive and adaptable analytics solution.

Comparing Looker and Birst

Data Modeling and Flexibility

Looker:
LookML is arguably one of Looker's standout features. It allows for advanced data modeling, letting you define metrics, dimensions, and other key data points in a reusable way. This not only simplifies SQL complexity but also ensures consistency and accuracy across all reports.

Birst:
Birst employs an adaptive user interface and automated data refinement. While LookML requires some level of learning, Birst offers a more user-friendly, GUI-based approach to data modeling. Automated data refinement ensures that data preparation is simplified, something that might require manual configuration in Looker.

Real-time Analytics

Looker:
With Looker, you can access real-time data immediately, thanks to its direct database querying capability. This is crucial for businesses that rely on up-to-the-minute data for decision-making.

Birst:
Birst, on the other hand, focuses on creating a holistic view of your data through its networked BI approach. While it may not provide real-time analytics as seamlessly as Looker, its automated data refinement ensures that the data is always accurate and up-to-date.

Integration and Ecosystem

Looker:
Looker shines in its ability to integrate seamlessly with various databases and third-party applications. Its flexibility allows it to fit well into existing data infrastructures, making it a versatile choice for organizations with complex data ecosystems.

Birst:
Birst excels in its integration capabilities as well, especially with enterprise applications like ERP and CRM systems. Its networked BI approach ensures that data from different sources can be connected seamlessly, providing a comprehensive view of the organizational data landscape.

Customization and User Experience

Looker:
The customizable dashboards and user-friendly interface make Looker an excellent choice for teams that want to tailor analytics to their specific needs. Collaboration features further enhance the user experience, ensuring that everyone within the organization can access and share insights effortlessly.

Birst:
Birst's adaptive user interface is designed to cater to various roles, from data engineers to business users. Although it may not offer as much granular customization as Looker, the interface is intuitive and user-centric, ensuring that everyone can leverage the platform effectively.

Data Security and Governance

Looker:
Looker provides robust security measures, including user authentication and data encryption. While it offers governance features, they might not be as extensive as those provided by Birst.

Birst:
When it comes to data governance and security, Birst stands out. Its robust governance framework ensures that data security and compliance are integrated into the analytical process, making it a reliable choice for organizations with stringent security requirements.

Scalability

Looker:
Looker is built to scale, making it a suitable choice for growing organizations. Its cloud-based architecture ensures that it can handle increased data volumes and user activities without compromising performance.

Birst:
Birst’s networked BI architecture is designed for horizontal scaling, making it ideal for multi-tenant environments. It can integrate various data sources into a single analytical framework, ensuring that the platform grows alongside your organizational needs.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between Looker and Birst ultimately comes down to your organization’s specific needs and priorities.

• If real-time data access, advanced data modeling, and seamless integration with various data sources are your top priorities, Looker might be the better choice.
• If robust data governance, automated data refinement, and a networked BI architecture for multi-tenant environments are more critical, then Birst could be the ideal solution.

At Deploi, we are passionate about helping you elevate your business growth through innovative web software and data solutions. Both Looker and Birst offer unique capabilities that can significantly enhance your multi-tenant analytics. By understanding your organization's strategic goals and data landscape, you can make an informed choice that drives efficiency, boosts insights, and fosters growth.

Ready to explore these technologies further? Contact us at Deploi to discover how we can help you implement the best BI solution tailored to your needs and aspirations.