What is QlikView Distribution Service (QDS)

The QlikView Distribution Service (QDS) is a component of QlikView's suite of services. It is responsible for distributing QlikView documents to users, managing task execution, and controlling document reloads. The service is essential for ensuring that updated QlikView applications are available to end-users in a timely and efficient manner.

Services Page Integration

Within QlikView's management console, the Services page reflects the status of QDS as a Windows service. This integration allows administrators to monitor and manage the distribution service directly, including the ability to shut it down if necessary.

Service Status Indication

The status of QDS is displayed in the Status column on the Services page. The column indicates whether the service is running properly or if there are issues such as disconnections, cluster operation status, or invalid setups, providing administrators with vital information for troubleshooting.

What is Toucan?

Toucan is a cloud-based data visualization and business intelligence platform that enables users to create interactive and customizable dashboards for data analysis and reporting. It is designed with a focus on simplicity and user-friendliness, allowing even non-technical users to gain insights from data. Toucan emphasizes storytelling through data, offering features such as guided analytics and visualizations that are easy to understand and share.

Deployment and Accessibility

As a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, Toucan provides accessibility through cloud deployment, ensuring that users can access the platform and their data from anywhere with an internet connection. This facilitates collaboration and decision-making across different locations and departments within an organization.

Customization and Collaboration

Toucan offers a high degree of customization, enabling users to tailor their dashboards and reports to meet specific organizational needs. The platform also supports real-time collaboration, allowing team members to work together on data analysis and share their findings efficiently.

Intuitive Use and Insights

The platform's design prioritizes intuitive use, making it possible for a wide range of users to quickly learn and leverage the tool for business intelligence purposes. Toucan's analytics capabilities also aim to deliver actionable insights, assisting organizations in making data-driven strategic decisions.

QlikView vs Toucan Comparison

Vendor Ratings

Qlik, the vendor behind QlikView, is rated at 4.4 out of 5 based on 1848 user ratings. In contrast, Toucan boasts a higher individual rating of 4.9 out of 5, albeit with significantly fewer ratings, totaling 62. This suggests that while Qlik is a well-established and widely reviewed vendor, Toucan is also highly regarded by its smaller user base.

User Base Size and Perceptions

The larger number of ratings for Qlik indicates a more extensive user base and possibly a more proven track record. Toucan's higher rating, though based on fewer users, points to strong user satisfaction. Potential adopters should consider both the breadth of user feedback and the quality of user experiences when evaluating these services.

SourceTable as an Alternative to QlikView and Toucan

SourceTable offers a streamlined approach for data management, positioning itself as a formidable alternative to QlikView and Toucan. With its spreadsheet-like interface, it simplifies data collection and analysis, making it accessible for users to query and manipulate data in real-time. This is a key differentiator for businesses seeking efficient data handling solutions.

The platform's Internal Table View, similar to QlikView's approach, allows users to see data as stored within the system, including synthetic keys and tables. However, SourceTable also provides a Source Table View, which presents data as it is read, offering a more intuitive understanding of the data's origin. The representation of composite keys through multiple connectors in the Source Table View enhances the user's grasp of complex data relationships.

SourceTable consolidates data from various sources, eliminating the need for disparate data solutions and providing a centralized data management experience. This consolidation is especially significant for users transitioning from QlikView's data table views or Toucan's data storytelling approach, as it ensures seamless data integration and manipulation within a familiar spreadsheet environment.