Preface

QlikView is one of the most powerful analytical tools in the market. Based on an in memory associative model, it lets users freely navigate through the data, spot trends, and make better decisions. This platform is capable of integrating a wide range of data sources, such as ERP systems, data warehouses, or spreadsheets, into a single application in order to display dashboards with state-of-the-art visualizations.

Creating a dashboard is more than just packing a couple of charts and tables together. It is a complex endeavor that involves understanding the business, working with multiple data sources, and presenting the data in the most efficient and elegant ways to foster discoveries. The adequate management of these three elements—business needs, data models, and visualizations—is the key to a successful BI initiative.

The art of communicating effectively is not one that can be easily mastered. A good data visualization can help users understand the current performance of the company and see details that cannot be seen otherwise. It is a means of presenting, explaining, and interacting with the information. When a dashboard is created with well-chosen graphics, insights come naturally. Throughout this book, we will embark on a journey that will take us from theoretical to pragmatic, sharing tips, tricks, and best practices, all in the pursuit of stunning dashboards that derive in tangible value for the business.