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Reader for live data
I was wondering why Tableau Reader is not able to access live data, but rather only packaged/static data?
How do we work around this situation without the full Tableau server product?
We are used to working with Crystal where you create the report (.rpt) file and then various users can run this report file without having the full crystal.
We want users to be able to create analytics/reports with Tableau and then allow users to see the results with live data (but not be able to change the reports unless they have Tableau professional). I was surprised that Reader is not able to read these reports except with static or old data.
So, except for going for the whole server product, how to companies manage the sharing of Tableau reports?
Mark
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Hi Mark. Simply put, I believe the decision on that capability was made mostly for business reasons. There is, of course, unavoidable tension whenever the "How much do we give away for free?" line has to be drawn, but you can understand that it has to be drawn somewhere.
Thanks for the candid answer, I understand. As a reseller, I also don't want a lot given out for free...not much commissions on free stuff!
1) Is it possible to automate the extraction and packaging process with an external tool? Might be fine if the tool ran once a day or every few hours.
2) How about if you came out with a Reader Pro for $150 that could read live data? I believe once "readers" see the power, they will want the full version.
3) Is the Tableau business strategy to push organizations to Tableau server or is it more to just have everyone get a copy of Tableau Pro? Another way to ask this question is what works out best for customers, many copies of Tableau Pro or a few copies of Pro plus the Server?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark, I went to ask Kevin Brown about this, and learned that you and he have already been in touch. I'm a software engineer and thus not the expert on sales/strategy, but why don't you go back and bring this question/proposition to him? Perhaps we could figure something out.