FAQs on Tableau, Power BI, Qlik to OBIEE BI Connector

BI connector acts as the bridge between Tableau/Power BI/Qlik and OBIEE. It uses a patented technology to seamlessly transform the queries from the analytics tool to OBIEE and ensures that they are compatible with each other. Connecting from the analytics tool to OBIEE via BI Connector is very similar to connecting from a web browser to OBIEE.

BI connector Desktop Edition provides connectivity from Tableau/Power BI/QlikSense Desktop to OBIEE. BI connector Server Edition provides connectivity from Tableau Server/Tableau Online/Power BI Service/Qlik Sense server to OBIEE. It is installed on the same server as the visual analytics server or gateway.

Tableau/Qlik/Power BI use BI Connector via ODBC or DirectQuery connection. BI Connector connects to OBIEE’s presentation layer using web services. The unique hybrid connection approach of BI Connector helps the user to visualize OBIEE data via live and extract/import mode.

Migration from OBIEE to another tool is a complex effort costing millions of dollars and several months if not years of consulting effort. During this migration period, companies are keen on minimizing disruption to users and help jumpstart the adoption of the new tool. Therefore, Organizations consider BI Connector as a critical aid for ensuring smooth transition. Currently, BI Connector does not migrate the OBIEE metadata to visual analytics tool. However, organizations embarking on a migration project use BI Connector as the transition tool. With BI Connector, users can quickly start using the new tool to access data in OBIEE and combine it with other data sources. BI Connector is used as an interim solution until the migration is completed.

If you are interested in learning more about our roadmap for migration from OBIEE and enabling users to visualize data with their favorite tool, please contact us. We will be happy to discuss our roadmap under NDA with you.

Yes. You can retain OBIEE and help users to connect from their favorite tool to OBIEE subject areas and reports.

Yes. If you are interested in learning more about the BI Connector Partner Program that offers margin, training, and support to partners, please contact us.

1. 64-bit Windows Operating System
2. .NET 4.5 or higher
3. Windows Administrator privilege for your PC to install BI connector
4. URL, username and password for your OBIEE environment

No.

You can visualize data from OBIEE subject areas and reports using BI Connector. The limitations of connecting using BI Connector depends on the visualization tool and are often the limitations of the visualization tool themselves. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us to schedule a deep-dive session.

BI Connector works with OBIEE 10g, 11g, and 12c.

BI Connector Desktop Edition is licensed per user.

BI Connector Server Edition for Tableau to OBIEE is licensed based on the CPU cores of the server machine if Tableau Server is licensed based on CPU cores. The minimum number of CPU cores is four. If Tableau Server is licensed based on the number of users, BI Connector is licensed based on the total number of users for the Tableau Server. For Tableau Online users, BI Connector is licensed based on the total number of Tableau Online users.

BI Connector Server Edition for Power BI to OBIEE is licensed based on the CPU cores of the server machine in which Power BI Gateway is deployed. The minimum number of CPU cores is two.

BI Connector Server Edition for QlikSense – QlikSense to OBIEE is licensed based on the CPU cores of the server machine if QlikSense Server is licensed based on CPU cores. The minimum number of CPU cores is two. If QlikSense Server is licensed based on the number of users, BI Connector is licensed based on the total number of users for the QlikSense Server.

BI connector is developed by Guidanz Inc, a San Francisco Bay Area-based company. Guidanz was founded in 2010 and specializes in business intelligence and analytics products. In addition to BI connector, Guidanz has also developed Skedler, an easy to use reporting and alerting solution for customers using Elastic Stack. BI Connector is designed, developed and supported by a passionate team of analytics and BI experts based in U.S., Canada, and India