@Rawtid
I've been thinking about eventually getting into data analytics in the near future. Any info on where to start to build a good foundation?
I think a good foundation overall is being able to understand a company's data and it's source. For example, I started in visualization by knowing SQL. The company I was working for was hiring a contractor who was writing SQL as the data source for Crystal reports. Learning how to use Crystal reports was easy because once the data was in, it's just drag and drop to create the reports. All of my roles have used MS SQL Server as the main data source.
If you already have a good understanding of data and modelling, then you narrow down a software. I've been working with Qlik technologies and I just lucked up on a position that used them. Tableau and Power BI are popular, all have online resources that outline anything from best practices to how to install the software. Again, they all have the same concept of using a data source to create visualizations, usually based on some kind of requirement.
There are a few levels too, On the front end you can emphasize that whatever you're visualizing, made some sort of positive impact on the company. Saved time, money or improve efficiency. If you're creative, this could be the way to go because you want to design dashboards that look visually appealing, but also give the client what they need. On the backend you need to be able to understand and model data used to provide insights, that's usually where knowing some type of scripting comes into play. Like although Qlik uses SQL, they have their own version of scripting if say, I wanted to hard code a format for a specific field. Then administratively, you can manage the servers, users, licensing, data connections, etc, used to support the software.
Do you know if the company you work for uses any visualization software?
Yeah that request came across my desk a few months ago. I nixed that quick. If you want an app, then say so. But dashboards aren't apps.
I'm saying!! These dudes are super technical and trying to offer a Jag, when then average user just wants a Toyota they can run errands in.