Time to automate your workflows: Tableau releases the Data Management Add-on 

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Tableau has released its latest version of its software – Tableau 2019.1. This release is the biggest one yet and it has a slew of new and exciting features. One of the most anticipated features is ‘Ask Data’ where you can use naturally written language to ask your data questions, without needing prior knowledge on how to build a visualisation yourself.  

Data Management Add-on 

An important feature in the Tableau 2019.1 release is the Data Management Add-on, also known as Tableau Prep Conductor. 

The first thing to note is that Tableau Conductor, which gives scheduling capabilities for ‘Flows’, created using the Tableau Prep desktop app (now known as “Tableau Prep Builder”), is actually part of a new product called the Data Management Add-on. This is, as the name suggests, an add-on product to Tableau Server. Prep Builder users who want to schedule their flows can do so by publishing to their existing Tableau Server environment where the Data Management Add-on is active. 

With the new Add-on, you will be able to: 

  • Schedule your flows to run when you need them to – day or night. You can also automate your data prep processes so there’s always fresh data that’s prepped and ready for analysis. 
  • Monitor flows across your Tableau environment. Easily monitor flows with the same tools available on Tableau Server. Use the Status page, Admin Views and run histories to see the health of flows across the entire server so you can address any issues quickly. Set proactive alerts to make sure your flows are healthy. 
  • Share and run flows – With Tableau Prep Conductor, you can easily publish and run flows in your environment. Share your data sources securely using Tableau Server or Tableau Online. Create an environment where everyone in your organization can work with prepped and up-to-date data. 

Tableau Prep Builder 

Tableau Prep Builder gives you a complete picture of your data with three coordinated views that let you see row-level data, profiles of each column, and your entire data preparation process. Pick which view to interact with based on the task at hand with immediate results, so if you want to edit a value, you can select and edit it directly.

Change your join type and see the result right away. With each action, you instantly see your data change, even on millions of rows of data. Tableau Prep Builder gives you the freedom to re-order steps and experiment without a consequence. 

Tableau Prep Builder enables you to Work Smarter and Faster, using smart features to fix common data prep challenges. Tableau Prep Builder employs fuzzy clustering to turn repetitive tasks, like grouping by pronunciation, into one-click operations, and connect to data on-premises or in the cloud, whether it’s a database or a spreadsheet. Access, combine and clean disparate data without writing code. Tableau Prep Builder intelligently pushes operations down to the database when possible, letting you take advantage of existing database investments for fast flow execution performance. 

The best part is that Tableau Prep Builder lets you stay in the flow of your analysis. It’s easy to open your output with Tableau Desktop or share it with others via Tableau Server or Tableau Online. Easy sharing reduces friction and helps you bridge the gap between data preparation and analytics, for better business results. 

The Combined Power 

With both Tableau Prep Builder and Conductor working in tandem, the value your data gives you is increased exponentially. With the easy ability to build a flow, schedule, and share everything with a few clicks, your entire organization can work with the newly prepped and up-to-date data for everyone to use, analyse and ask! Now we can continue to use Tableau Prep Builder – and with access to Tableau Prep Conductor, we can start automating everything! While Tableau release updates to Prep Builder capabilities at least once a month, it’s an exciting time for this new area for Tableau. 

If you would like to learn more about Tableau and the exciting new features in Tableau 2019.1 join us for our hands-on workshop on the 27th of March where you will get the chance to participate in a hands-on demo on Tableau Prep Conductor and Ask Data. This is a free workshop and limited spaces are available so register now to avoid disappointment.