Looker vs BOARD: Comparing BI Tools for Data-Driven Decision Making

In an era where data is king, the ability to make intelligent, data-driven decisions is essential for any modern enterprise. Business Intelligence (BI) tools have become the cornerstone of this decision-making process, turning raw data into actionable insights. Among the plethora of BI tools available, Looker and BOARD stand out as two powerful, yet distinct, options. Each has its own strengths and unique features that cater to different business needs. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into these two BI tools, comparing their capabilities, ease of use, integrations, and overall value to help you choose the right solution for your business.

Ease of Use and User Interface

When considering a BI tool, ease of use is a critical factor. An intuitive user interface can make or break the user experience.

Looker
Looker offers a clean, modern user interface designed to be as user-friendly as possible. Its drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy for non-technical users to create reports and dashboards without needing to know SQL. Looker uses a proprietary LookML language, which, while powerful, may require some learning for those unfamiliar with it. However, once users are accustomed to LookML, the flexibility it offers is unparalleled.

BOARD
On the other hand, BOARD provides a comprehensive, yet complex, user interface. Designed primarily for sophisticated users, BOARD’s interface is packed with features that cater to in-depth data analysis. The tool integrates BI, Corporate Performance Management (CPM), and Predictive Analytics into one platform. While this comprehensive approach offers robust functionality, the complexity of the interface may be overwhelming for beginners.

Analytical Capabilities

The analytical capabilities of a BI tool are the heart of its value proposition. Both Looker and BOARD are powerhouses in this aspect, but they cater to different types of analytical requirements.

Looker
Looker excels in real-time data analysis. Its modern, cloud-based architecture provides faster querying and reporting capabilities. Looker’s strength lies in its ability to connect directly to a wide range of databases and data warehouses, enabling real-time analytics. This ensures that the data you're analyzing is always up-to-date, making Looker an excellent choice for businesses needing real-time insights and quick decision-making.

BOARD
BOARD, however, brings a unique value proposition by integrating BI, CPM, and Predictive Analytics into one platform. It allows users to conduct comprehensive what-if scenarios, demand forecasting, and financial planning. BOARD’s analytical capabilities are robust and geared towards sophisticated users who need multi-faceted analysis, making it ideal for enterprises with complex data modeling and planning needs.

Customization and Flexibility

The ability to customize and extend functionality is crucial for a BI tool, as every business has unique requirements.

Looker
Looker offers substantial customization options through its LookML modeling language. Developers can create customized data models, and business users can then use these models to build their own dashboards and reports. Looker also supports custom visualizations using JavaScript, giving users the flexibility to create bespoke dashboards tailored to their specific needs. This flexibility makes Looker a highly adaptable BI tool for various business scenarios.

BOARD
BOARD offers a highly customizable environment as well, but with a slightly different approach. Its toolkit includes a wide range of pre-built applications for financial planning, sales analytics, and more, allowing users to hit the ground running. For advanced users, BOARD provides extensive customization options through its workbook feature, which allows for detailed data modeling and complex calculations. This makes BOARD a versatile option for businesses with specific and detailed BI requirements.

Integration and Connectivity

Effective integration with existing systems is another critical factor when choosing a BI tool. Both Looker and BOARD offer robust integration capabilities but cater to different ecosystems.

Looker
Looker shines in its ability to connect to a wide variety of data sources, including SQL databases, BigQuery, Redshift, and more. Looker’s modern architecture supports integration with cloud-native and on-premise systems alike. Additionally, Looker integrates seamlessly with various third-party tools and platforms such as Salesforce, Slack, and Tableau, making it an excellent choice for businesses heavily invested in cloud infrastructure.

BOARD
BOARD offers comprehensive integration capabilities but focuses more on internal data harmonization. It integrates seamlessly with ERP systems like SAP and Oracle, providing a unified platform for enterprises looking to combine BI with enterprise resource planning and performance management. BOARD also allows for easy data import from a range of databases and file formats, making data integration smooth and efficient.

Support and Community

Reliable support and an active user community are invaluable when navigating through the complexities of BI tools.

Looker
Looker provides robust support through various channels, including documentation, community forums, and customer support. Its active user community is a great resource for troubleshooting and best practices. Moreover, Looker offers extensive training resources, including webinars and tutorials, to accelerate user competence.

BOARD
BOARD also offers comprehensive support, including detailed documentation, video tutorials, and live webinars. Its community, while smaller than Looker’s, is highly engaged and focused on sophisticated use cases. BOARD’s dedicated account managers and customer support teams provide tailored assistance, which is beneficial for enterprises with complex BI needs.

Cost and Pricing Structure

Finally, the cost and pricing structure of BI tools can significantly impact the decision-making process.

Looker
Looker operates on a subscription-based pricing model, typically billed annually. The pricing is based on factors such as the number of users and data volume. While Looker may appear costly at first glance, its extensive features and capabilities often justify the investment for businesses needing robust real-time analytics.

BOARD
BOARD also follows a subscription-based pricing model. However, it offers a modular pricing structure, allowing enterprises to select and pay for only the features they need. This can make BOARD a more cost-effective option for businesses requiring specialized BI solutions without paying for unnecessary features.

Conclusion

Choosing between Looker and BOARD depends on your specific business needs and the complexity of your data requirements. Looker excels in real-time analytics, ease of use, and seamless integration with cloud platforms, making it ideal for businesses needing immediate, actionable insights. BOARD, with its unified platform for BI, CPM, and Predictive Analytics, caters to sophisticated enterprises requiring comprehensive and multi-faceted data analysis.

Both tools bring substantial value to the table, but the right choice hinges on your particular use case, existing infrastructure, and long-term business objectives. By understanding the strengths and unique features of Looker and BOARD, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your organization's goals, driving data-driven success and competitive advantage.