Overview
Tableau offers two primary deployment options for its data visualization platform: Tableau Cloud (formerly Tableau Online) and Tableau Server. Each has distinct features, advantages, and limitations that can significantly impact how organizations manage their data analytics.
Key Difference Between Tableau Cloud and Tableau Server
1. Hosting and Management
Tableau Server is an on-premise solution, meaning organizations host it within their own infrastructure (own data centres or private cloud infrastructure). This setup provides complete control over hardware, security, and customization, but requires dedicated IT resources for maintenance and upgrades. Organizations must manage all aspects of the server, which can lead to higher operational costs and resource allocation challenges.
In contrast, Tableau Cloud is a fully managed service hosted by Tableau itself. This means that routine maintenance, updates, and hosting are handled by Tableau, allowing organizations to focus more on data analysis rather than infrastructure management. Users benefit from automatic updates that ensure access to the latest features without the need for manual intervention.
2. Compliance
Compliance in Tableau Server is managed entirely by the organization itself. This means that while organizations can tailor their compliance measures to meet specific regulatory requirements, they also bear the responsibility for maintaining those standards. This can be advantageous for businesses with unique compliance needs but requires a dedicated IT team to ensure ongoing adherence to relevant regulations.
On the other hand, Tableau Online is designed to meet various compliance standards, including ISO and SOC, and it adheres to GDPR requirements for data privacy. It operates within a highly regulated environment, ensuring that customer data remains within the region where it is hosted, which is essential for organizations with strict data sovereignty policies.
3. Security
With Tableau Server organizations have complete control over their security architecture, allowing them to implement custom security protocols tailored to their specific environments. This includes integrating with existing identity providers for trusted access and managing user permissions at a granular level.
On the other hand, Tableau Online security features include robust user authentication and access controls. Data stored in Tableau Cloud is only accessible to authorized users, with Tableau employees having no access to customer data unless explicitly permitted. The platform employs strong operational security measures within SAS-70 compliant data centers.
4. User Management and Licensing
In Tableau Online users can be organized into groups, allowing for streamlined permission management. This feature enables administrators to assign access levels based on group roles, making it easier to manage large teams.
Like in Tableau Online, users can also be grouped for easier management, however with Tableau Server, administrators can implement more complex security protocols and integrate with existing identity management systems.
Tableau Online employs licensing tiers that cater to different user needs (e.g., Viewer, Explorer, Creator), allowing organizations to scale their licenses based on usage requirements. Similar licensing options are also available in Tableau Server - corresponding to different levels of access and functionality (e.g., Viewer, Explorer, Creator). However, the total cost of ownership may be higher due to maintenance and operational costs associated with managing the server.
5. Data Connectivity
Both Tableau Cloud and Tableau Server offer comprehensive connectivity options tailored to different organizational needs. While Tableau Cloud benefits from features like Data Connect and Tableau Bridge for seamless integration with on-premises data, Tableau Server provides direct control over connectivity configurations - supporting the same data sources as Tableau Cloud, plus cube data sources and custom connections.
6. AI Capabilities
Both the platforms integrate various AI capabilities such as Tableau Pulse (a feature that provides personalized insights and summaries of metrics using generative AI) and Tableau Agent (a feature that assists analysts by automating tasks and providing contextual suggestions to improve visualizations).
Tableau Cloud provides a more comprehensive suite of AI capabilities designed to enhance user experience through automation and personalized insights. It is ideal for organizations looking for a hassle-free deployment with continuous updates. In contrast, Tableau Server offers flexibility and control over deployment but may require more effort to leverage advanced AI features effectively.
Pros and Cons of Tableau Server
Pros
Full control over environment.
Great flexibility (customization options).
Easier integration with on-premises data sources.
Multiple sites for the same licensing price.
Cons
High maintenance requirements.
Infrastructure costs.
Scaling challenges – expanding capacity may require additional investments in physical resources.
Pros and Cons of Tableau Online
Pros
No internal maintenance required.
Always up to date.
Cost effective.
Scalability (easy scale up or down).
Cons
Limited customization.
No control over upgrade schedules.
Potential network latency due to network dependency.
Need to use Tableau Bridge for access to local systems.
Storage limitations (default storage capped at 100GB per account – requiring additional purchases for more capacity).
Conclusion
Choosing between Tableau Cloud and Tableau Server depends on an organization’s specific needs regarding control, security, maintenance capabilities, and data connectivity. While Tableau Cloud offers convenience and reduced maintenance burdens, Tableau Server provides extensive customization and control over the environment. Organizations must weigh these factors carefully to determine which deployment option aligns best with their operational goals.
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