What was the best part about using GoodData?
GoodData is very powerful business intelligence software solution. You can import data from CSV's using simple drag and drop technology or their file uploader in order to analyze and view it in several different ways with a single click. It's a very intuitive dashboard overall. I felt comfortable using all of the functionality within about fifteen minutes after importing my data and then just exploring the account.
I've been researching various software in the business intelligence software market and GoodData is definitely one of the easiest to use. The key performance indicator feature is my very good and allows you to be notified of changes, view them from any device and discover trends which can affect decision making. You're able to create practical, accurate insight into your company performance and business operations quickly from within a centralized dashboard. The ability to get this done where not too long ago this was much more of a linear or manual process that was time consuming and prone to human error.
I can understand why this service may come with a relatively steep price tag because the insight offered through it for thriving small businesses, or mid-size to enterprise companies is critical and directly related to your bottom line. GoodData allows you to improve your bottom line and streamline your processes based on what's working or allows you to adapt or reverse negative trends or patterns all geared towards improving your ROI. And they know it so they charge accordingly.
The ability to share dashboards with other using permission based logins is another feature I like. You can definitely use this to get a good level of collaboration accomplished which is huge especially if you're not sharing an office. It also allows junior associates to have limited access to suit their role, or for training purposes.
What would you change about your experience with GoodData?
Forgive me if I'm mistaken but I believe GoodData is limited to CSV data only. Which is fine for businesses who only use these for storing and analyzing data. You can obtain CSV's from a good many third party software to import as well. But when I look at what's possible in ChartIO I can't help but feel it's drastically limited. You can combine CSV's using GoodData and it's built to scale so we're talking about big data which is great, but ChartIO combines CSV's but so many other sources as well in a few clicks without having to export data from one source and turn it into a CSV at all. Like MySQL databases, Google Analytics, Postgress, Redshift, Microsoft SQL, DashDB, Segment, Twilio, Oracle, Vertica, PrestoDB/Hadoop, DB2 and a few dozen other outstanding integrations which you can use to mash up data and turn it into highly visual, easy to analyze reporting and analytics. It's truly a next generation business intelligence tool in my opinion starting at $35 per month and their premium plan $195 per month, while GoodData doesn't keep pricing available on their website which is generally an indicator of greater investment required.
The CSV analytic capabilities in GoodData are very good and everything is built on quality infrastructure which is easily scaled. I've read the implementation services are very good so you can probably do a lot more than import CSV's to analyze with a cost. Though you may be able to import GoodData into ChartIO which to me would be the best of both software. Someone mentioned that have a native GoodData tool for backups, restores and user provisioning would be good and I agree though it's possible to do with an API.
Overall Feedback
It's a great platform if you have a lot of CSV data to import. GoodData allows you to grow your bottom line as it is directly related to the data presented by GoodData and your analytical insight into it. How you take action on the data metrics possible by GoodData is going to reflect your ROI and if you're smart it could be huge. The interface is very intuitive to learn and easy to use. With a free trial available and no credit card sign up required definitely check out GoodData and ChartIO as part of your business intelligence SAAS research.