Google Looker Partners with Tableau | Data Visualization News

Google Looker and Tableau: A New Integration

In 2019, significant acquisitions reshaped the business intelligence landscape. Google purchased Looker for $2.6 billion, while Salesforce acquired Tableau for $15.7 billion. Now, these former competitors are forging a closer relationship through a new integration.

The integration will allow Tableau users to leverage Looker’s semantic layer. Conversely, Google’s Looker users will gain the ability to utilize Tableau’s visualization layer directly within the Looker platform.

Playing to Strengths

This partnership might initially appear unexpected, but it strategically allows each service to capitalize on its core competencies. Tableau has consistently attracted users with its sophisticated visualization capabilities.

However, Tableau originated as a desktop application, and despite development efforts, a distinction between its desktop and cloud versions remains. Looker, conversely, was designed for the cloud from its inception.

Looker caters to technically proficient users comfortable with SQL, while Tableau prioritizes empowering all business users to analyze data. This difference in focus contributed to the suitability of each acquisition.

A Collaborative Approach

“Any organization focused on simplifying data work is a potential partner for Google,” stated Gerrit Kazmaier, Google’s VP & GM for Databases, Analytics & Looker. “We also collaborate with Databricks.”

He continued, “Progress benefits everyone when we address the correct challenges. Collaboration with companies like Tableau – a valued Google partner – is natural when the goal is to simplify data interaction.”

Benefits of the Integration

Looker’s semantic model provides considerable flexibility. At the same time, Tableau equips users with tools for data democratization, visualization, and storytelling.

Notably, the two companies already share a substantial customer base. The integration aims to eliminate redundancy and complexity for these shared users.

“We asked ourselves how much value we could deliver by enabling Tableau to operate with LookerML, avoiding data duplication and unnecessary complexity,” Kazmaier explained. “Similarly, we considered the benefits of allowing Looker customers to connect Tableau directly.”

Focus on Customer Value

Kazmaier emphasized that the ultimate measure of success lies in the customer experience and the value a service provides. “Companies prioritizing their own interests over customer needs will inevitably encounter difficulties,” he concluded.