Data is being produced and used by organizations at an incredible rate. According to online data service Statistica, the total amount of data and information worldwide increased from roughly 2 Zettabytes (ZB) in 2010 to 74 ZB in 2021. Statistica forecasts that number will increase to 149 ZB by 2024.
Organizations are saturated in data, therefore it’s more important to make it comprehensible, understandable, and usable for people as well as computers. Data is transformed into graphics using data visualization software, which can convey concepts and ideas in a way that words and statistics alone cannot.
What Is a Tool for Data Visualization?
Using data visualization tools, users can extract the most important insights from data and present them visually. Data is pulled from a database and dashboards and graphics, including word clouds, pie charts, bar charts, scatter plots, polar area diagrams, heat maps, timelines, ring charts, and scatter plots, are created.
It is possible to look deeper into significant figures, trends, metrics, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by visually depicting the numerous data points.
It is hardly unexpected that business users now have access to data visualization tools that were previously only available to data scientists and IT departments. In order to better understand a wide range of scenarios, including customer attitude and behavior, real-time sales, healthcare trends, departmental goals, and market research, organizations are now employing visualization tools. Additionally, it is used by media companies and advertising to create infographics and images that are appealing to the eye and convey complex information in straightforward ways.
Of course, each data visualization tools take a different approach to the task. While others integrate real-time data from social media and numerous applications used throughout a business, some tend toward more traditional Business Intelligence (BI) roles. For the purpose of providing more sophisticated functionality and insights, some additionally use artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). The majority of data visualization software packages come with connections and templates for creating powerful models, visuals, and dashboards.
If you’re looking for the best data visualization software, take the time to learn what different vendors and apps have to offer, how they operate, and whether they can meet the budgetary and data visualization requirements of your company.
How To Choose The Best Software For Data Visualization
To reduce the number of alternatives, it’s crucial to concentrate on a number of variables while choosing a data visualization tool.
What kind of visualizations are you looking for? Different tools offer various ways to compile and display data. Make sure the data you need is simple to access and input. For consuming data, the majority of these programs include a complete set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
What kind of operating system and what kind of hardware does the software support? Other options are desktop or mobile-based, while some are cloud-based. Applications from some suppliers that support an on-premises model may only run on Windows, which can be problematic if your team includes Mac users. Verify that the software will function for you.
Does the bundle effectively support the performance requirements of your organization? For instance, certain applications struggle with very huge files, while others don’t function effectively in certain circumstances. You might have an issue if the rendering engine can’t sustain the speed necessary for real-time dashboards and web pages that satisfy your own needs.
Does the software work with your current workflows? Scalability and flexibility are frequently essential. There may be times when you need to modify templates, inputs, or criteria, including those for other applications and platforms linked through APIs. Verify that the data visualization tool can accommodate these modifications.
How is vendor support presented? Although an application may create beautiful visuals, creating them might be challenging. Will your vendor offer assistance if you need it? Verify that a vendor provides thorough documentation and assistance, including tutorials and videos, and determine whether the company provides round-the-clock phone support if you run into problems.
What is the price of the package? Google Data Studio, for instance, offers some free options, but they might not have all the functionality you require. Others might force you to use a particular cloud provider. The majority of vendors offer tiered pricing, including an enterprise option; thoroughly examine the options to see which ones best fit your budget.
What kinds of security safeguards does the solution provide? Nowadays, cybersecurity is an essential component of practically every element of computing. Verify that any platform you are considering offers sufficient security, access, and sharing controls.