Advantages of Looker

What is Looker ?

In the world of cloud computing, Looker is an essential platform for data analytics and corporate intelligence. It is hosted on the cloud. Looker is a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) that allows customers to easily access it through web browsers without the requirement for on-premises installs. Its main goal is to make it possible for enterprises to quickly explore, analyze, and visualize their data from a variety of sources....

Key Features of Looker

Data Integration: Looker has the ability to establish connections with a number of cloud-based data sources, such as Snowflake, Amazon Redshift, and Google Big Query databases. Because of this, users can examine data kept on these platforms without having to copy or relocate it. Looker incorporates a modeling layer that enables users to specify computations and relationships within their data. Simplifying the process of searching and analyzing complex datasets is made easier by this abstraction layer. Visualization: Looker offers a variety of visualization choices to efficiently convey data insights. To convey measurements, trends, and patterns, users can create dashboards, charts, and graphs. Collaboration: Looker lets users share dashboards, reports, and data explorations, which makes it easier for teams to work together. This encourages departmental decision-making based on data. Scalability: Looker provides scalability in terms of both user access and data processing capacity because it is a cloud-based platform. Businesses can expand their user base and data volume by scaling their analytics infrastructure. Security: Looker ensures data confidentiality, integrity, and access control by integrating with cloud providers’ security capabilities. To safeguard sensitive data, it provides encryption and role-based access control (RBAC)....

Looker Work Flow

Looker functions as an all-inclusive web-based visualization platform that connects user inputs via a graphical user interface to underlying SQL queries, enabling real-time direct database communication for real-time data processing. Its primary duty is to translate user actions from the graphical user interface (GUI) into SQL queries and send them quickly to databases that are connected. With this live mode, you can be sure that the data you see and study is current and reflects any changes that are made in real time to the underlying databases....

Looker vs. Tableau

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Advantages of Looker

Ease of Use: Non-technical users can explore data, create visualizations, and develop insights with Looker’s straightforward and user-friendly interface without requiring extensive SQL or programming experience. Real-time Data Analysis: Looker allows users to view and evaluate data in real-time since it runs in a live mode. This guarantees that the most recent information is used to make decisions. Cloud-Native: Thanks to cloud infrastructure, Looker’s platform offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness while integrating easily with a range of cloud-based data sources. Data Modeling and Abstraction: Looker facilitates data modeling and abstraction by streamlining intricate data structures and guaranteeing uniform data definitions throughout the enterprise using its modeling layer and LookML (Looker Modeling Language). Customizable Visualizations: Looker gives customers the ability to present data in a variety of informative and captivating ways that are suited to their own requirements. These visualizations include charts, graphs, maps, and dashboards. Collaboration and Sharing: Looker promotes data-driven decision-making and knowledge sharing within the company by enabling users to share reports, dashboards, and data explorations. This helps teams collaborate more effectively....

Disadvantages of Looker

Learning Curve: Although Looker has an intuitive interface, there might be a learning curve involved in gaining proficiency with its more sophisticated features and customization possibilities, particularly in the LookML modeling language. Those who are not familiar with SQL or data analytics may initially find several features difficult to understand. Cost: Compared to certain alternative BI and analytics solutions, Looker’s pricing structure may seem a little steep. The cost of maintaining cloud infrastructure and licensing Looker might be high, depending on the size, data usage, and feature requirements of the enterprise. Performance Problems: Although Looker’s goal is real-time data analysis, it occasionally experiences performance problems, such as system slowdowns or lengthier query response times, due to big and complicated queries or high volumes of concurrent users. Planning infrastructure and optimizing properly are essential to reduce . Limited Offline Mode: Looker runs mostly in live mode, which means that in order to analyze data, it needs to be connected to databases in real time. Users who need offline access or who wish to work with historical or cached data without an active internet connection may find this to be a hindrance. Dependency on Internet Connectivity: Looker is a cloud-based platform, therefore in order to access and utilize its features, users must have a reliable internet connection. This reliance on internet connectivity could present problems in places where access to the internet is erratic or nonexistent. Customization Complexity: Looker has a wide range of customization options, such as data modeling and custom visuals, but more sophisticated technical knowledge and development resources may be needed to implement complex customizations or integrate with certain external systems....

Conclusion

Looker is a strong competitor in the market for cloud-based data analytics and business intelligence systems. Its real-time data analysis capabilities, comprehensive customization possibilities via the Look ML modeling language, and user-friendly interface are its main advantages. Looker facilitates the extraction of actionable insights and data-driven decision-making for enterprises by offering a wide range of configurable visualizations and easy integration with several cloud data sources. Its learning curve, financial implications, and performance optimization needs should all be understood by prospective users, as well as the need for internet connectivity and any possible data security issues. Notwithstanding these difficulties, Looker is still a useful resource for businesses trying to leverage cloud-based data analytics to spur innovation and expansion....

Looker – FAQ’s

Looker: What is it? How is Looker operated?...