What is Google Looker?

Google Looker is a web-based analytics solution that enables businesses to explore, discover, visualize, and share data insights. Acquired by Google in 2019, it operates using a proprietary modeling language and facilitates sophisticated data manipulation. Looker supports analysis through Python and R, and it is designed for larger businesses, particularly for internal reporting. It bypasses traditional SQL queries, making it a powerful tool for data analysis. However, it requires a power user or IT team and is known for its steep learning curve. Its price point makes it less accessible for startups, and it is considered less effective for data visualization compared to other tools.

Google Looker vs SAP Analytics Cloud Comparison

Data Exploration and Visualization

Looker provides a web-based analytics platform that focuses on helping businesses to explore and visualize data insights. It supports advanced data manipulation and analysis using Python and R, catering to larger businesses with power user teams. In contrast, SAP Analytics Cloud is recognized for its intuitive data exploration and visualization tools, leveraging an extensive graphics library and templates for story presentation, making it suitable for both technical and non-technical users.

Machine Learning and Predictive Analysis

While Looker allows for sophisticated data analysis, SAP Analytics Cloud goes a step further by integrating machine learning for generating data visualizations and predictive forecasting. It also offers features like what-if analysis and natural language processing, extending its capabilities in automated, interactive insights which are beneficial for making informed decisions.

Accessibility and User Experience

Looker is noted for its steep learning curve, requiring a dedicated IT or data team, and is considered better for internal reporting. Its pricing can be restrictive for startups. On the other hand, SAP Analytics Cloud is praised for its accessibility on various devices and browsers, though it has limitations in offline mode. Its interface is user-friendly, and it is adaptable for embedding in third-party applications.

Performance and Scalability

Looker's strong suit lies in its capacity for handling sophisticated data manipulation, evidenced by its high user sentiment rating and recommendations. However, it is not as favored for data visualization as other tools. SAP Analytics Cloud, while offering excellent analytical features and BI capabilities, encounters performance issues at the enterprise level and needs improvement in its data management process for updating existing data models.

Integrations and Customization

Looker uses a proprietary modeling language and bypasses SQL, which implies a need for specialized knowledge to fully leverage its features. SAP Analytics Cloud provides a more versatile range of planning tools and BI capabilities, empowered by the cloud for self-service data analysis, yet it requires more versatile modeling features to enhance its effectiveness.

Sourcetable as an Alternative to Google Looker and SAP Analytics Cloud

Choosing the right data analysis tool is critical for businesses. Sourcetable offers a unique proposition by combining the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of data querying. Unlike Looker, which is a comprehensive platform for content management, Sourcetable simplifies the process by enabling data consolidation from numerous sources into a single, spreadsheet-like interface.

Sourcetable's real-time data manipulation capabilities provide a competitive edge, particularly for users seeking an alternative to the more complex and expensive Looker. With Sourcetable, the ease of use is emphasized, making it an accessible choice for businesses that prefer a spreadsheet approach to data analysis over Looker's feature-rich but potentially more intricate platform.

While Looker's acquisition by Google might suggest a seamless integration with Google products, Sourcetable maintains its stand as a versatile tool for real-time data querying across various data sources. The absence of Looker Models and a semantic layer in Looker further delineates Sourcetable's straightforward functionality, catering to those who need a practical, cost-effective solution for data analysis without the frills.