An Alternative to Qlik's QlikView BI Dashboard Application

What Are Drawbacks to Qlik's Dashboards?

1. Steep Learning Curve

One of the biggest drawbacks of Qlik's dashboards is the steep learning curve. Unlike some BI tools that emphasize simplicity, Qlik relies on a unique associative data model that requires users to understand set analysis, scripting, and data modeling. While this approach is powerful, it can be daunting for new users.

• Complex Scripting: Qlik uses its proprietary scripting language (Qlik Script) to perform data transformations. This means users need to learn a new language, which can be challenging for those without a technical background.
• Set Analysis Complexity: Qlik's set analysis allows users to make advanced calculations and data selections, but mastering it requires extensive practice and understanding.

For organizations without experienced Qlik developers, getting the most out of the platform requires significant investment in training.

2. Performance Issues with Large Data Sets

Qlik's dashboards can struggle with large and complex data sets, especially when working with millions or billions of rows.

• Memory Consumption: Qlik operates in-memory, meaning that all data is loaded into RAM. While this speeds up performance for small and medium datasets, it can create bottlenecks when working with massive amounts of data.
• Slow Loading Times: If the dashboard contains a high number of complex visualizations, calculated fields, and set analysis expressions, performance can suffer, leading to slow load times.
• Hardware Dependencies: Since Qlik is memory-intensive, organizations may need to invest in high-end servers or cloud computing resources to ensure smooth performance.

3. High Licensing and Deployment Costs

Qlik's pricing model can be expensive, especially for organizations that need enterprise-scale BI solutions.

• Expensive Licensing: Qlik's per-user licensing fees can be high, particularly when compared to competitors like Power BI, Tableau, or InetSoft's data mashup tool.
• Additional Costs for Features: While Qlik Sense comes with built-in features, advanced analytics, machine learning, and additional connectors often require separate purchases or add-ons.
• Cloud vs. On-Premise Pricing: Organizations that prefer an on-premise deployment may face higher infrastructure costs since Qlik is optimized for cloud-based use.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the total cost of ownership (TCO) may be too high compared to other BI tools that provide similar capabilities at a lower price.

4. Limited Customization in Visualization

Qlik provides a range of pre-built visualizations, but the customization options are limited compared to other BI tools.

• Rigid UI/UX: The user interface, while functional, lacks the deep customization options available in tools like Tableau or InetSoft, which offer greater control over aesthetics and user experience.
• Limited Chart Types: While Qlik includes a good variety of standard visualizations, advanced users may find that certain niche visualizations are missing or difficult to implement without third-party extensions.
• Extension Dependency: For deeper customization, users often need to rely on Qlik extensions, which can introduce compatibility issues and maintenance overhead.

5. Difficult Data Integration and ETL

While Qlik provides data integration tools, they are not as seamless as those found in other BI platforms.

• Limited Native Connectors: Qlik does not natively support as many third-party integrations as tools like Power BI or InetSoft's data mashup platform.
• Complex ETL Process: Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) operations in Qlik often require Qlik Script, which can be difficult for non-technical users to grasp.
• Data Blending Limitations: Unlike InetSoft's data mashup tool, which allows seamless blending of multiple data sources, Qlik can struggle when trying to merge disparate data sources on the fly.

For organizations dealing with multiple data silos, Qlik's data integration capabilities may not be as flexible or user-friendly as other solutions.

6. Challenges with Governance and Security

Data security and governance are critical in BI platforms, and while Qlik does offer security features, they can be difficult to configure properly.

• Complex Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC): Setting up fine-grained access controls in Qlik Sense can be complex, requiring deep knowledge of Qlik's security rules.
• Limited Out-of-the-Box Compliance Features: Organizations in regulated industries (such as healthcare and finance) may need additional security configurations to meet compliance standards.
• Cloud Security Concerns: Organizations using Qlik Cloud may have concerns about data residency, encryption, and access management, depending on their industry's security requirements.

For companies with strict governance policies, setting up and maintaining security settings in Qlik can be cumbersome.

7. Lack of Real-Time Data Updates

Many modern BI platforms focus on real-time data streaming, but Qlik's dashboards often rely on scheduled data refreshes rather than live updates.

• Batch Processing: Qlik loads data in batches, meaning it may not reflect real-time changes unless additional configurations are made.
• Limited Streaming Capabilities: Unlike other tools that support real-time analytics out-of-the-box, Qlik requires additional connectors and workarounds to achieve continuous data updates.

This can be a significant drawback for industries where real-time decision-making is crucial, such as finance, logistics, and e-commerce.

8. Dependency on IT and Developers

Despite Qlik's claims of being a self-service BI tool, many aspects still require significant IT involvement.

• Dashboard Development: Non-technical users often struggle to build complex dashboards without assistance from BI developers.
• Data Preparation: Since Qlik relies heavily on its scripting language for data transformation, IT teams are often needed to prepare data for end users.
• Maintenance and Updates: Organizations need dedicated Qlik administrators to manage updates, optimize performance, and troubleshoot issues.

Compared to tools like InetSoft, which offer more intuitive data mashup and transformation capabilities, Qlik often requires more technical expertise to fully leverage its capabilities.

9. Limited Mobile Experience

While Qlik offers a mobile app, it is not as robust as competitors like Power BI or Tableau.

• Interface Challenges: Some visualizations do not scale well to smaller screens, making them difficult to navigate on mobile devices.
• Limited Offline Capabilities: Unlike other BI tools that provide strong offline support, Qlik's mobile experience is primarily designed for online use.
• Performance Issues: Large dashboards can take longer to load on mobile, impacting usability for field workers or executives on the go.

For organizations that require a seamless mobile experience, Qlik's dashboard usability on mobile devices may not be sufficient.