Compare SAS Visual Analytics vs. Tableau

From my perspective, SAS is very rich but its origin lies in the programming. Therefore, knowledge in setting up programming use and direction is somewhat implied. Targeted to a more technical data science audience.

Tableau, on the other hand, is focused on a visual end-user perspective. Therefore, the target is a business analyst who focuses on what the data implies - somewhat agnostic to the statistical techniques focus.

I have more experience with SAS VA not with Tableau. Weak points and strengths

Tableau

- Probably one of the best visualization analytic tools for final users

- Cloud or on Premise

- Quickly to deploy

- Some specific functions to predictive analytics out of the box (linear regression, etc.)

- Connectors to Big Data, etc.

SAS Visual Analytics

- See new features with Cloud SAS Viya (new architecture and integration with other SAS Solutions)

- Powerful vision of analytics and statistics with SAS Visual Statistics in the same framework

- You don’t need a Data Scientist people to develop predictive or advanced analytics models

- Deploy a powerful analytics model in few moments

- It supports a Big Data and a lot of connectors. Some payments

- No needs code as easy to use

- You can use and specific and free App for mobile users

- Price: Pay for cores, not users.

Weak points

It needs a lot of machine resources (RAM and CPU)
Very complex to install. You need specific SAS partner support
Poor graphics vs Tableau or Qlik Sense
Normally you need the Enterprise Guide or other ETL solution to data prepare

Selection of a tool depends on your tech environment and the intended use of the tool. If you have a strong staff with a data mart, data warehouse or data lake in place then a number of tools would work. Tableau is the 500 lb gorilla, but it isn't as nimble as Qlik, Yellow Fin, Looker or Sisense. If you don't have a large team and want an automated data mart then look at Birst. It isn't as "beautiful" as others, but does a good job of delivering what the customer requires with less work on the back end. Good luck!

Tableau over SAS.

Flexibility, speed in execution.

Shallower learning curve.

Talks to a very large set of databases and file types.

I am not the expert in SAS and Tableau.
SAS being the market leader may have better standing over Tableau.

Tableau being one of the most popular Visual analytics software might not be too far from SAS.

Tool or platform selection is not often as clear-cut as we would like. We have to consider the existing platforms, skills, biases, org size, the maturity of data governance and budgets!

Both Tableau and SAS VA are powerful tools. I like them both. Skilled users can achieve comparable results using either toolset. The licensing models are very different and may be the first cut at product selection.

I think one way to compare them is to consider the average user (report creator, not report consumer) and the data organization.

If your average user is more classically trained (methodological, disciplined), then SAS VA may be a better choice. That is, if you are looking for more execution and less innovation with a lot of structure then SAS VA is probably the stronger candidate. However, discipline and methodology is also very important to long-yet success with Tableau.

If the (predominant) user is more innovative and needs to be quickly responsive to lots of stakeholders, Tableau is the best candidate in most cases.

For me, the behind-the-scenes issue is really data governance. Tableau is so flexible in terms of how sources are admitted and configured that it is easy to find yourself with competing data in the boardroom. So if you go with Tableau you must strictly control which source data are used and keep everyone in synch on versions.

SAS shops generally are more methodological and disciplined. Using a single set of source data would be natural. Taking more time to get new reports built is also typical of SAS shops.

In short, nimble, agile and disciplined teams may be more successful with Tableau. More traditional shops may find that SAS VA fits the culture better.

In general, if the client is not already running SAS, I will probably turn to Tableau. The learning curve is more shallow and talent is cheaper in most markets.

If the client is a SAS shop, SAS VA is probably the winner. SAS is its own animal.

Hi,

As both tools are in use in a lot of companies and do the job, the answer is: I would recommend both tools. These are the points to further take into account.

Both Tableau and SAS VA are no corporate BI tools, like SAP Business Objects, MS Power BI or Qlikview. These are more analytical tools, which enable to create nice visualizations and dashboards in a Self-Service way. To make it even more complex other tools like Spotfire or Qliksense can be considered as well

Pros for Tableau are:

- More and nicer visualizations

- Easier to Use

- Lighter product to administer

Pros for SAS Visual Analytics

- More advanced analytical capabilities (Visual Statistics, Forecasting, Decision Trees)

- In Memory technology (LASR or CAS for SAS Viya is in-house technology vs integration with Spark for Tableau)

- SAS has in most countries a good local support team. In case of issues the consulting team will help you out, where Tableau will be more sold off the shelve, in case you go for Tableau ensure a good support from reselling partner. In case you have no SAS at all in the company, consider a cloud version. Administration can be quite difficult.

In case you have a SAS platform in use for other purposes, I would consider VA as a tool as a natural extension of the platform. If you are looking for a light solution, to make nice dashboards and visuals, go for Tableau.

Price will be comparable

A choice you should see beyond Tableau is Qlik Sense