In today's world, data has become an essential asset for strategic decision making. However, many companies face challenges when trying to manage and visualize large volumes of data. Developing a backoffice to handle this data can be costly and require a significant amount of development resources.

This is where Metabase, an open-source data visualization tool that allows you to create a backoffice without the need for large investments in time and money.

In this article, we will explore how this tool can be the ideal solution to save on development costs when implementing a data management and analysis system.

What is Metabase?

Metabase is a data visualization platform that enables users to create dashboards interactive, perform queries and analyze data without the need for advanced development or data analysis skills. Its simplicity and power make it ideal for companies of all sizes, since it offers the possibility of creating a backoffice efficient without the need to develop a customized one from scratch.

Main characteristics:

• Connection to databasesMetabase can easily connect to a wide variety of databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, among others.
• Creating dashboards without codeUsers can generate reports and dashboards without having to write a single line of code.
• Custom SQL queriesFor more advanced users, Metabase allows the creation of advanced SQL queries to obtain more specific information.
• Sharing reports and permissionsFacilitates collaboration within teams by sharing reports, with access control options to protect sensitive information. It also allows you to save customized queries to share with the team.

Common problems in the development of a backoffice

When a company decides to develop a customized backoffice to manage its data, it often encounters several obstacles:

• Development timeCreating a system from scratch requires weeks, if not months, of work by a dedicated development team.
• Ongoing maintenanceOnce implemented, a backoffice Customization requires constant maintenance, upgrades and technical troubleshooting, which means more costs in the long run.
• Dependence on the development teamNon-technical users depend on the development team for resolving doubts or data queries, which means that developers end up spending more hours on this development.

How Metabase can replace a custom backoffice

Metabase is an alternative for companies that are looking to implement a backoffice without the high costs and time involved in developing from scratch.

Some of the ways Metabase can be an alternative to a traditional backoffice:

• Quick and easy installationMetabase can be deployed in a matter of minutes, either locally or in the cloud.
• Intuitive interfaceThe user-friendly design allows even non-technical users to navigate through the data, create dashboards and generate reports without the need for coding. This eliminates dependency on the development team.
• Reduced cost: The ‘ version‘Open Source’is free of charge and in most cases will be sufficient to meet your data reporting needs.
• Simplified maintenanceAs it is a product developed by other developers, it will always have updates with the advantage that the development cost is not covered by the company's development team.

Benefits of using Metabase as a backoffice

Its implementation as the main tool for backoffice also brings multiple operational benefits:

• Resource savingsDevelopment teams can be assigned to other projects, as business users have the tools to access and manage their own reports.
• Improved productivityBusiness users will be able to generate their own reports, eliminating the need for the development team to perform custom queries.
• Automation of reports and alertsMetabase allows you to schedule automatic reports, so that users receive regular updates without the need for manual intervention.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the possibility of dispensing with the development of a backoffice customized and opt for Metabase, The new open source alternative that can cover most of the needs if you are looking for data analysis.

It is an effective and affordable solution for companies wishing to implement an backoffice data analytics without the high costs and complications associated with custom development. Its ease of use, speed of implementation and robust functionality allow business teams to manage and visualize their own data, freeing developers to focus on more strategic projects.

Looking to learn more about the digital and development world? Read our previous post here.