A data analytics framework known as TIBCO Spotfire is a powerful and flexible instrument for businesses to analyze and visualize data in different industries. Irrespective of whether you are dealing with sizable databases or have to come up with quick, data-driven conclusions, Spotfire aids in presenting complex analyses in a neat manner. Nevertheless, knowledge of how Spotfire data sources interact with each other is essential for experiencing its full extent of capabilities. The two main points to be pondered and understood well include Spotfire Data Source and Spotfire Data Connection.
This blog will inform readers about the difference between Spotfire Data Source vs Data Connection, will inform the way to download data in Spotfire, and will cover the data sources that are Spotfire supported.
Additionally, we’ll also go over how Spotfire’s automation services can handle and automate your whole data processing as well.
What is a Spotfire Data Source?
A Spotfire Data Source denotes the initial storage location of the original data. It can be a database, a file system, or an external software that has the data. If you plan to perform analysis or create visualizations, you should configure the Spotfire environment to be connected with the source data and this way it can transfer the dataset.
- Data Management via DBMS, such as SQL and Oracle
- Excel Workbooks
- CSV Documents
The raw data is stored in the data source. Spotfire will establish a connection to this source every time you want to work with it.
What is a Spotfire Data Connection?
A Spotfire Data Source refers to a data storage location while a Spotfire Data Connection is a link or an interface used for data retrieval from the Spotfire application. To put in other words, a data connection is the means by which Spotfire detects the data source.
In order to connect the data that is available via the data connection, you must have the required credentials (such as login information or API keys) to establish. Spotfire has the ability to support a plethora of live connections, such as:
- ODBC (Open Database Connectivity)
- JDBC (Java Database Connectivity)
- REST APIs for web-based services
- Direct File Connections (
To put it differently, the data source is your place of storage of data and the data connection is the way Spotfire communicates with it.
Spotfire Data Source vs Data Connection: Key Differences
AspectSpotfire Data SourceSpotfire Data ConnectionDefinitionAllocation or storage system from where your data comes fromThe interface or the Spotfire way of accessing the dataExamplesSQL databases, Excel files, cloud storage, etcODBC, JDBC, REST APIs, file path connections
The role of SpotfireRepresents is to store and transmit raw data. It provides a link for Spotfire to interact with the data. Generally, the data is static; it remains in the source unless updated. It can be configured and customized as per data access needs.
How to Download Data in Spotfire?
Occasionally, you might want to get your data from Spotfire into an offline format for analysis, reporting, or sharing with your colleagues. Spotfire facilitates the downloading of data from the platform. Here is how you can download data in Spotfire:
Steps to Download Data in Spotfire:
- Open a Spotfire Analysis: To download the data you need, first open your analysis or dashboard, which contains the information, to begin the process.
- Select the Data Table: Focusing on the required table or dataset, click on the element that visually represents the dataset or potentially the analysis results.
- Choose the Export Option: The next major step is to right-click the data table and select the Export option. You will have a choice to export the data to various output formats such as CSV, Excel (.xlsx), or even as a Spotfire Data File (.dxp).
- Select the File Format: Select the appropriate format for the file you want to create and indicate the location where you want the file to be stored on your personal computer or on the network.
- Download the Data: Finally, Click Export or Download to download the data in the selected format, thus storing it to your local system.
Downloading data from Spotfire gives you the convenience of working with your data outside the platform, but note that any updates or changes to the data in Spotfire will not automatically be reflected in your file unless you either refresh it or re-export it.
Spotfire Supported Data Sources
Spotfire accommodates a vast range of data sources, thus being a multifunctional tool that can connect to the data from almost any environment. Below are some of the most typical Spotfire-supported data sources:
- Relational
- Cloud Storage:
- SQL Server
- File-Based Data:
- Amazon Redshift: Amazon Redshift is a managed cloud computing service based on data warehouse
- Big Data and NoSQL:
- CSV Files
- Excel Files (XLSX, XLS)
- Text Files
- Web Services and APIs:
- Apache Hadoop (HDFS)
- Apache Hive
- Other Data Sources:
- REST APIs
- Web Data Connector (WDC) for Spotfire
- SAP
- Salesforce
- IBM DB2
Have you ever used some of these data sources and wanted to configure connections to them in the shortest time possible without experiencing the elephants stumbling through the mud? These are some benefits you enjoy with the Data Connection Wizard of Spotfire. Consequently, the great compatibility between Spotfire and many business data environments leads to the application of the high degree of data exchange capabilities.
Automation Services in Spotfire
As one of the features, the Automation Services in Spotfire helps you to perform the automated version of almost the same activities, such as data refreshes, report generation, or data export, through a graphical scheduler. On the one hand, automation workflows can be time-based and trigger regularly or generate manually if you prefer. Being great time savers, these systems enhance productivity and make sure that the data is always accurate without any manipulation by people.
Key Features of Automation Services in Spotfire:
- Automated Data Refresh: Ensure that your Spotfire analysis is up to date by automatically refreshing the data connection of the system in a certain interval.
- Report Generation: Automatically generate reports in several formats (PDF, Excel, etc.) and deliver them to the respective stakeholders.
- Batch Processing: Through the batch processing, you can process the multiple files or data sources simultaneously to streamline your workflow.
- Advanced Scheduling: You can even use custom schedules to execute your processes at a specific time of the day or according to your required time intervals.
How Automation Services Can Help:
Automation Services enable companies to name and present their data workflow in such a way that they always work with the right data and updates are reported without any human being For example, if you regularly need to pull data from a database, refresh it in Spotfire, and then send out weekly performance reports, Automation Services can do it all by itself.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you're eager to see where the Spotfire Data Source differs from the Data Connection, whether you want to download data from Spotfire for advanced analysis, or whether you want to set up Automation Services to your reports, Spotfire equips you with a full set of functions that improve your analytics and data management workflows.
Knowing the key points of Spotfire's data merging features will enable you to leverage the platform and thus, your analytics will be correct, be in time, as well as be productive, in other words, the organization's work with the data will be on the point and in time to assure its work with the data is peaceful and brief. Well, you will be able to accomplish it better when you are connecting data or automating a process in Spotfire since you have learned the correct steps to follow next!
If you have got any sort of questions about Spotfire or wish to delve deeper into the knowledge of Spotfire advanced features yet, look no further than your inbox Happy analysis!
