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Frequently Asked Questions

About DataSpark

What services does DataSpark offer?

DataSpark is comprised of a team of experienced data analysts with over 10 years working in AI, data warehousing, analysis, ELT, visualisation, strategy, and so much more. We provide services to our clients, filling in critical gaps in their business.

One of the ways our clients often engage with us is in the installation and/or management of Tableau Server environments. Whether you need an install, upgrade, or just a health check to ensure your environment is running smoothly, we've got you covered.

Our consulting services are just one way that DataSpark can help your business. We also provide for Tableau license renewals, upgrades, or new software purchases. As a Registered Tableau Partner and Licensed Reseller, we can be your one-stop shop for all your data analytics, visualisation, warehousing, and strategy needs.

What makes DataSpark so different?

DataSpark was born out of a desire to work with businesses to help them unlock the power of their company data so they can become more agile, competitive, and profitable.

We aim to assist our customers in getting the maximum benefit out of their data investment. Thanks to this, we have become one of Tableau’s leading partners and resellers. Working across Australia & New Zealand and beyond, we assist an array of clients with different industry backgrounds.

The difference with DataSpark is we want to help you solve real business problems and obtain maximum value out of your data. We are entirely flexible in our approach to your BI requirements, whether you want to be completely self-sufficient, or maybe you need a little support here and there, or even if you want someone to get everything sorted for you, we are here every step of the way.

What is the DataSpark Assistance Team (DAT)?

We have an array of clients who want to work closely with us, without having to constantly approve new projects. To this end, we created the DataSpark Assistance Team to provide our existing and new clients with a way to unlock the power of their company data so they can become more agile, competitive, and profitable with the help of DataSpark's expert team. We do this by offering an tiered hourly retainer that has many benefits and discounts off our normal hourly rate.

The best part about the DataSpark Assistance Team is that your monthly retainer hours rollover. If you don't get around to using your hours in May, you can save the hours and use them in August instead - we don't mind!

If you'd like to know more about our DataSpark Assistance Team, please contact customercare@dataspark.com.au and speak to one of our friendly staff members today.

Tableau Software and Renewals

How do I upgrade or purchase additional licenses?

Just contact our friendly account management team at customercare@dataspark.com.au or 1300 148 664! They'd be more than happy to help you understand your options and provide a cost-effective quote based on your needs.

How do I renew my Tableau subscription?

If you're already a DataSpark client and last purchased Tableau through us, you'll simply get an invoice each ear about 60 days before your subscription expires. Once the invoice has been paid your renewal will be secured!

If you aren't a DataSpark client yet, well you're in luck! Because DataSpark is a authorised reseller, we can handle any Tableau purchases for you in addition to any strategic services you might need. We're your one-stop shop for all things data!

When does my Tableau subscription expire?

You can find the expiration date under Help > Manage Product Keys in Tableau Desktop, Tableau Server, or Tableau Cloud.

You can also see when all keys on your account are expiring by logging into the Tableau Customer Portal.

If you aren't sure when your licenses expire, please contact your Account Manager on 1300 148 664 or accounts@dataspark.com.au and we will be able to assist you.

What happens if I don't renew my Tableau subscription?

When your subscription expires, your access to Tableau will be suspended as of the subscription expiration date. For Tableau Cloud customers, access to your Tableau Cloud site will also be suspended. Further, Tableau cannot guarantee you will have access to any content published to Tableau Cloud, including any data input into the product. Your work may be lost.

Why do I have to buy a license for each user?

When you commit to purchase Tableau you also agree to Tableau's T&C's which you can find here. According to Tableau's terms, each user of the Tableau software must have their own user, but there are implications to sharing users beyond just breaking the T&C's that you've agreed to by purchasing Tableau.

When implementing Row Level Security (RLS) into a dashboard you are putting restrictions in place which ensure that each person viewing a dashboard can only see the data that has been defined as being relevant to them.

To illustrate this, if you had created a dashboard for your clients, you would certainly only want each client to see the information that was applicable to them, and not each of your other clients. If you don't license each user, not only is this a breach of the Tableau EULA, but you would risk compromising your own data security as your clients could view sensitive information that wasn't meant for them.

It's important to license each user, not only from a legal standpoint but also for the benefit of your own company.

Tableau Technical Info

What's the difference between Creator, Explorer, and Viewer licenses?
Creators

Creators are anyone in your organisation who connects to sources of data and crafts that data into something useful for themselves and others. In your organisation today, they likely create reports and distribute them through email or a shared drive. They are performing ad-hoc analysis to answer deeper questions of their data. They are your data power users.

Explorers

In Tableau, Explorers will be able to build new workbooks themselves using published data sources or start with existing workbooks and dashboards, all through their browser or mobile device. But they won’t stop there. They’ll ask and answer deeper questions that may not have been answered in the initial round of reporting. Your team will explore their data and stay in the analytical flow like never before. The difference between Creators and Explorers is that Explorers are server-based licenses and they also can only connect to previously published data sources.

Viewers

Viewers use data to inform and improve the decisions they make. Tableau Viewers can be anyone from team members who need data to perform many of their daily tasks, to people managers who need to see how their teams are progressing on important projects, to the CEO, who needs high-level metrics about the health of the business. Viewers can view already published dashboards, they aren't able to create their own views as an explorer can. 

What is Tableau Embedded?

DataSpark receives this question a lot and has assisted many clients to move over to an Embedded type set up.

In a nutshell, Tableau Embedded enables you to monetise your proprietary, first-party data. Meant as an external use-case, Tableau Embedded is used by many of our clients as an integral part of their own product, allowing them to turn Tableau from a cost centre into a revenue driver.

If this sounds interesting to you, don't hesitate to contact us on 1300 148 664 or by emailing customercare@dataspark.com.au.

How do I activate my Tableau Server licenses?

Tableau Server requires at least one product key that both activates the server and specifies the number of license levels you can assign to users. You can access your product keys from the Customer Portal.

If you need to activate Tableau Server on a offline computer, see Activate Tableau Server Offline - Adding a License. If you need to activate additional product keys to add capacity to an existing Tableau Server installation, see Add Capacity to Tableau Server.

For more information on how to activate your Tableau Server licenses please see Activate and Register Tableau Server.

How do I get the latest version of Tableau?

If you use Tableau in your browser then you have nothing to worry about! That means you're using Tableau Cloud and all of the version upgrades are taken care of automatically for you.

If you use the Tableau app on your PC, you can download the latest version through this page or through your Tableau Customer Portal using your current license key. Please note, your account must be active and in good standing to be eligible to download the newest version.

If your organisation has centralised administration, please work with your internal license administrator for access. If you have difficulty updating to the latest version of the software, please email support@dataspark.com.au and we'll do our best to help out.

What can I do in the Tableau Customer Portal?

The Tableau Customer Portal provides a centralised location for performing tasks such as tracking managing product keys, support requests, managing portal users, obtaining software downloads, and adding users for quick access to support.

Have more questions? Book a meeting with one of our team members below!