Recently, many people often consult the difference between Tableau and FineReport.

I just said “The two are different products” and I was blocked back. “How are different products? Our company is currently comparing which ones are going to be used!”

In fact, I have not finished talking. The two are different products, tableau is an olap product, and finereport is an oltp product, which is a data processing and analysis software, but the focus of the people and the market are different. The most important thing is to look at the needs of the company. Next, I will try to make this clear in an easy-to-understand language.

In general, Tableau is a buffet and FineReport is a package.

There are three roles involved here: diners, chefs, meals:
Business people, supervisors, and bosses are diners and are the ultimate users of data analysis;
IT staff is a chef who processes and processes data ingredients;
The report is a meal and the final analysis result.

The advantage of eating a buffet is that the flexibility is high. The chef takes the initial treatment of the ingredients. The diners can match the desired meals whenever and wherever they want, but they are accompanied by delicious meals or scary dishes. You need to look at the diners’ own abilities. So, if your business has a professional analyst who is familiar with analytical techniques and the business and executives of the hub analysis needs, they can meet their own data analysis needs, then self-service BI tools such as tableau are very suitable.

The advantage of eating a set meal is that the diners are effortless to ensure quality. The diners and the chef communicate which dishes are what I must eat every time, what the requirements are, the chef will do it directly. If there is new demand, you need to communicate with the chef. It can’t be realized immediately like a buffet. You need to wait for the chef to make it. Whether the chef can meet all your requirements at once and need good communication.

I don’t know if this metaphor can give you a better understanding: Tableau is suitable for professional analysts who are familiar with analytical techniques and business executives who have the need for pivot analysis. FineReport is the IT staff leading design, business executives involved and used. Because of this difference in targeting for people, there are differences in the handling of many functions. Let us introduce them separately.

1.Data integration

Tableau and FineReport are data processing software that integrates data from different databases, including SQLserver, mysql, oracle, db2 and other mainstream databases, microsoft excel, txt, xml and other file sources. But the way to integrate is different.

Tableau is primarily integrated into a single analytic archive across data sources in a table-based manner.

FineReport integrates various data from the report through flexible SQL syntax and dynamic parameter injection.

2.Table rendering style

As a front-end analysis tool, Tableau only provides three types of list, cross-tab, and hub analysis due to the limitations of the application framework. Table configuration is less flexible. In actual enterprise applications, you will encounter very complex requirements, such as making irregular tables with high and low column widths, inconsistent column widths, complex grouping tables and crosstabs. This is the weakness of Tableau and the strength of FineReport.

FineReport supports EXCEL-style memory cells, which can flexibly configure various EXCEL table styles, and is very professional for complex report processing in various formats.

3.Chart type

There are different aspects of the chart.

Tableau’s rich visual chart is close to the UI and UX design of the average user, and the configuration is easy to drag and drop.

FineReport also has a rich visual chart, while providing API interface and conditional property settings, and transform styles freely.

4.Dashboard rendering

Tableau configuration is easy and easy to create regular DASHBOARD panels, which is the advantage of Tableau. But it’s still an old problem. As with the table configuration mentioned above, some special style warfare center panels don’t have enough support.
FineReport is suitable for developing personalized dashboards, and the layout and style can be customized.

今天我一定要说清楚,Tableau和FineReport的区別!

5. Statistical analysis model

As a front-end data analysis software, statistical analysis is Tableau’s strength. Tableau supports a very rich set of models, providing relatively professional financial statistical analysis functions, as well as R language support.

FineReport does have a shortcoming in this area, and it needs to be combined with SQL, STORE PROCEDURE, JAVA and EXCEL functions.

6.Data writeback dashboard

In daily operations, in addition to statistical data display, enterprises often need to enter data into the database, some are new data, some are modified backfilling old data, some are deleting data, and some enterprise users are using excel data. Imported into the database. For example, warehouse materials are scanned into the warehouse, and the store manager enters the inspection status of the store every day, and the bank clerk enters the customer information and other scenes in real-time.

Tableau takes the data out of the data source for statistical analysis, but does not support the data backfill form for the time being, and cannot help users to add or delete data.

FineReport can design WEB, APP write-back form, write to the associated database – MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server. It also provides complete process processing such as verification, saving, submission, review, rejection, and release. You can also import Excel data into the database.

7.Enterprise platform work

Tableau’s enterprise data platform has basic functions such as timed distribution, online analysis of reports, dashboard, and permission control. The entire platform is suitable for analysts.

FineReport enterprise data platform supports timed distribution, online analysis reports, dashboard, permission control, AD integration, and various types of report printing, and the functions are more perfect. It is more suitable for the application of all levels of the company’s departments, from the salary label paper to the decision-making dashboard.

8.Multi-dimensional analysis

Tableau has flexible OLAP capabilities, making multi-dimensional operation very easy.

Finereport can also implement multidimensional analysis, but finereport does not have the concept of OLAP, and multidimensional analysis is not so flexible. Each level of dimension needs to be processed once in the finereport or a separate report.

9.Printing function

Tableau only supports desktop printing, and the print settings are relatively simple. The server version does not support users to print directly when viewing data on the browser side. Because tableau itself does not support pagination to view reports, there is no page number option for printing.

FineReport has a powerful printing function, supports PDF printing, applet printing, flash printing technology, and supports users to print directly on the browser side. It provides printing offset, page number, background, paper orientation, etc. Especially good for ticket printing, the grid in the ticket has been printed, and FineReport can accurately print the corresponding data into the grid. Enterprises with financial invoices, courier receipts, and business receipt printing requirements often use this function.

10.Permission control fineness

Different companies have different requirements for the fineness of authority control.

Tableau can manage permissions according to different views by analyzing the file workbook control and single workbook.

In addition to the single report file rights, FineReport can filter data according to the user’s permission. The display result can be configured according to a single storage cell. In other words, you can do the same report, A can see the contents of storage A1, B does not have permission to see.

11.Integration of the mobile terminal

The Tableau effect focuses on the presentation of information analysis content.

FineReport has more interactive configurations, which can return photos, report data, and be compatible with various types of reports on the platform.

12.Tool integration capabilities

Tableau is more closed, and can only be integrated into other web applications, through the Javascript code generated in Tableau Server.

FineReport has a completely open API interface: java, javascript. OEM can be integrated into existing ERP/OA/MES and other business systems or APPs, open interface, custom development, close to the use of enterprise information integration.

13.Learning resources

Tableau is more closed. The Tableau learning pipeline is not easy to obtain and needs to be re-negotiated with the partners. The new supervisor may not be able to adapt to this type of tool.

FineReport is fully open to 2000 online documents and 10,000 exchange forums. Most of FineReport’s supervisors accept the effect of excel, finereport can be fully satisfied and designed, and the learning resources are open.

In general

Both Tableau and finereport have their own incomparable advantages and disadvantages. Of course, this has something to do with the market positioning of the two. Tableau is a data analysis tool with the advantage of flexible data analysis operations on the front end, no need to write code, and is suitable for data analysts. The disadvantage is that it can only perform data analysis and cannot meet other requirements such as complex report statistics, printing, and data collection.

Finereport is positioned in enterprise-level data collection and processing software to support the personalized reporting needs of all departments in various fields, as well as powerful printing and reporting functions, but the function of data analysis is slightly weaker. In addition, the user objects targeted by finereport are biased towards IT personnel with a certain technical foundation, such as the information department of the enterprise.

In the end, whether enterprises need to choose Tableau or FineReport, we need to start from the business needs, combined with employee data capabilities, enterprise future planning, IT department integration needs, etc., the key is not the tool itself.

Explore Other Resources

Reporting Tools | 8 min read
Completely guide on interactive report's definition, benefits & examples. Click to find out how to create interactive analysis and the best reporting tool.
03-18-2021