Sharing the bigger picture

Data is everywhere, but the optimal use of data is often hindered because the data infrastructure is too fragmented and complex. That creates a situation that is frustrating, expensive, inefficient, and, most importantly, unnecessary. In this article, we will explain how your organization can optimize the workflow and make smarter decisions by increasing data accessibility and efficient data analysis. To this end, Google offers a business intelligence platform with embedded analytics: Looker. Looker enables everyone in your organization to see what the data means. You ensure everyone is always seeing the bigger picture and is updated. 

The way to go
Data can help your business grow, that’s no secret. But using data efficiently can be difficult since data is often stored on different servers with access granted to different data teams. On top of that, data scientists use different methods to analyze the data, which makes the analysis less reliable. Luckily, we at Google Cloud have developed a solution: Looker. This data platform provides you and your organization with the tools needed to reliably describe your data and define solid business metrics. But how does it work?

Looker is our data platform that offers embedded data analytics, exploration and insights to every branch of an organization. To get real-time data directly into the decision-making process, it fluidly integrates into departmental applications. That means organizations can extract maximum value from their data at any time in an automated, fast and reliable way. The outcomes can additionally also be shared safely with people outside your own organisation. With the help of embedded Single Sign-on, you can share data and visualisations through a secured URL. The URL contains the information you want to share, the ID of the user in your system, and the permissions you want that user to have.

The database does not have to be transported to the application layer in order to be analyzed, which makes Looker user-friendly. It works on top of all SQL databases. To analyze the data accurately and reliably, we designed a common data model powered by AI, ML, and BI. What does that mean? It means automation of database-searching codes normally used by data scientists. This frees up their time for more complex tasks. With our powerful technologies, the search results will be analyzed, visualized and ready for the whole team to use—including the least technically-savvy people in the organization. 

In short: Looker lets you analyze, share and visualize your data in the most efficient, fastest and most reliable way. With the help of modern data warehouse technologies and without moving your database, you can create a strong, data-powered workflow and make smarter and faster decisions at any time.

A peek in the chef’s kitchen
Blue Apron makes incredible home cooking available to anyone by offering meal kit delivery services. This goes way beyond just delivering a package. Ingredients for the meal kits have to be sourced at the right time, quality and price. Additionally, kits must be properly proportioned and delivered to the customer fresh and on time. To achieve these goals, BlueApron successfully uses Looker. By using our data platform, they have accelerated decision making by up to one day, reduced costs, and optimized their business processes. Sam Chase, Tech Lead Data Operations at Blue Apron explains: “Our ability to pull a lot of data in and compute fast results affects everyone in our company. Business users and marketers are more empowered to look for answers, instead of waiting for analytics teams. Because users know they can get results rapidly, our business processes are evolving and improving.”

Take a look(er) yourself!
It’s easy to see how Looker can optimize decision making, data accessibility, and data use. We are sure your organization, whether big or small, can benefit from it too! Take a look at the video below to learn more, or read more about Looker here.