Professionals spend day in and day out working with an abundance of data – in many cases, to the point where it can be considered an art form. This includes data in the realm of customer experience as well as industry-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) This data can be used to visualize performance in different segments within the company. One thing is to create a perfectly designed dashboard or report, and the other is the distribution - how to share the content and make sure that is available for everyone.
Sure, you could share a link to the dashboard, but like many other things, it gets buried under the email pile. Using digital signage to visualize your data and make it accessible for everyone across teams and departments, will save you a lot of time and effort.
I have tested 6 of the most popular dashboard & analytics apps in DatabeatOMNI. I will also list up the pros & cons of each app and provide my honest opinion for every single one.
DatabeatOMNI is a screen publishing platform where you manage and publish your content to one or many public displays at the same time. In DatabeatOMNI, you have the opportunity to publish URL to show websites, reports, and dashboards
1. Databox
Databox is an easy-to-setup platform designed to remove guesswork–so you and your team can understand performance and make adjustments as you go. Quickly and easily build a consolidated view of your company's key performance indicators. Build custom views and deep-dives for each function in your organization. Systematically improve performance with one source of truth.
The solution offers many features in the freemium offer, and you also have the opportunity to build up to 3 dashboards for free. They have an abundance of source already integrated within the solution and is rolling out new ones all the time. You can build fully customized views and templates. Databox also has a mobile app in which you can view your dashboards. Their cheapest package is $49 a month, which is a more expensive basic package than the other apps on the market.
Databox Unique Selling Points
- Has a freemium package
- A simple interface and easy to use
- More than 60 data sources
- No time limitation on the freemium offering
- Great customer support
The DatabeatOMNI Test
When you have created a Databox account, you can easily create a dashboard and choose your data source and choose your metrics which you want to track, quite straightforward!
When you have created your first dashboard, you now need the link. Click on Share Dashboard and then click on the tab Streaming URL, copy the link. Note that you can also set a limited IP address, as in the image described below.
Showing the Databox dashboard in DatabeatOMNI works smoothly and with no hick-ups. The easiest one so far.
2. Geckoboard
Geckoboard is a tool for collecting, visualizing and sharing relevant information within your company. The Geckoboard dashboard platform allows you to track crucial information in real-time from one place. The dashboard aims to give you a clear overview of the most critical KPIs with possibilities to share the data on TV screens. With more than 80 integration options, there is always at least one option for your company.
What is the costs after one month? $25 a month, which is a reasonable price but they don't have a freemium offer.
Geckoboard Unique Selling Points
- The dashboard gives a good overview.
- Lots of useful features, such as the ability to share read-only versions of your dashboard, or to show the panel under your domain name.
- Raw data can easily be converted into simple, understandable visualizations.
The DatabeatOMNI Test
Publishing the Geckoboard URL in DatabeatOMNI works perfectly. You click on share and get the public URL right away. This feature is not hidden nor hard to find.
Of course, I could have added more widgets or sources to this dashboard, but this is how it looks like in DatabeatOMNI:
3. SimpleKPI
SimpleKPI is an online KPI software tool that is easy to set up, simple to use, and affordable for all sizes of business. It comes complete with all the functionality needed to create, manage, and monitor all your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Business Metrics
SimpleKPI offers a limited 15 day trial of the application and does not have a freemium package and is the most expensive of the bunch, at a $99, and you are given all the features that they have available. They have some customization features but not as extensive as the other vendors on this list.
SimpleKPI Unique Selling Points
- Unlimited users and dashboards and KPI in their paid package
- Simple and user-friendly setup
- Readymade templates
The DatabeatOMNI Test
Getting started with the account is easy. Creating your first dashboard is a quick process, and locating the sharing feature is easy.
The sharing feature is also easy to understand, but there is no limitation to set on a defined IP-address.
Publishing the shared URL that is given from SmartKPI went great, no issues at all. Data is updated in real-time, and the pre-defined template looks good as well. This is how it looks:
4. DashThis
DashThis is an automated marketing reporting tool that enables you to create very visual and easy-to-understand dashboards quickly and easily. The software is known for being very easy-to-use with its drag-and-drop interface, as well as for having excellent customer service.
DashThis supports more than 34 integrations, including Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and offers many time-saving features like report templates, preset widgets, and cloning options. The pricing starts at 33$/month for three dashboards, including all features and unlimited users & data sources.
DashThis Unique Selling Points
- The tool is easy-to-use with a drag and drop interface;
- All the features are included; preset widgets, templates, cloning options, widget merging, etc.
- 35+ integrations to choose from + CSV files import for any other data;
- All data sources can be in the same dashboard
- Each account gets its dedicated account manager
- Unlimited users for each account
- Many sharing options available: automated email dispatches, PDF, URL.
The DatabeatOMNI Test
There were a few issues here, finding where the URL sharing feature was hard. When on the main page, you will have to click on one of the dashboards and then click on the share icon.
When I found the URL, I uploaded it to DatabeatOMNI but had a couple of issues with the responsiveness of the page.
In DatabeatOMNI, we have something called ScreenDesigner, and this feature has several widgets that you can use. With the webpage widget, you can add an extra layer of content or show the Web widget in fullwidth. I have chosen the second one.
My feeling is that this is less user-friendly than the other apps, but it still works with some figuring out and surfing on their help center.
5. Klipfolio
Klipfolio is an online dashboard platform that allows you to create multiple real-time dashboards quickly and easily. With Klipfolio, results can be compared easily using targets which can be adjusted quickly. The tool supports more than 100 cloud applications, including Google Analytics, HubSpot and SalesForce. The dashboard is easy to set up and in terms of data source integrations, is very flexible. The disadvantage of Klipfolio is that it – just like many other tools – has a learning curve. When you need more, Klipfolio can be a complicated and time-consuming tool. The pricing for Klipfolio is reasonably low: you can use the platform by paying $24 a month.
Klipfolio Unique Selling Points
- Has a simple set up
- Various data sources can be collected in one widget
- Accessible on all devices, so you can use it wherever and whenever
The DatabeatOMNI Test
The public URL in Klipfolio did not work in DatabeatOMNI. I tried to troubleshoot it but without any luck. I could not find related support articles in their helpcenter in order to solve my issue.
6. Cyfe
Cyfe is an online, all-in-one dashboard that brings together all marketing channels, web analytics, finances, sales, and social media. It looks similar to the Geckoboard platform. The tool is free if using a maximum of two different dashboards. The dashboards can be shared with everyone, including your team and clients. Data reports are mailed automatically in PNG, JPEG, PDF, and CSV formats. The only disadvantage of Cyfe is that you have little variation in the panel design. In addition to the free option, there is a "Premium" version that costs only $19 per month. With this premium account, you can add an unlimited number of dashboards, widgets, and users.
Cyfe Unique Selling Points
- Up to two dashboards are free
- Easy to use
- 60 accessible sources are built-in
- Data history is archived
The DatabeatOMNI Test
Unfortunately, the sharing the public URL is a premium feature in Cyfe. I need a premium membership to test it out.
And to conclude
There are many tools out there to help visualize and distribute your data via digital signage, but mainly they have limitations. The main reasons are that sharing the public URL is a feature that you get in a paid subscription. Testing the various tools for a more extended period is also challenging to do because of the time limitation on the demo accounts.
Databox has found the formula, in their freemium model, you have the opportunity to share upwards of three dashboards and data sources of your choosing. If you are looking to have a simple layout or fully customized templates, you get that with Databox.
Compared to their competitors, they give you almost the whole package, and this is perfect for businesses that are looking to use dashboards tools for their digital signage.
.png)