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On October 8, 2014, Qlik hosted a live webcast featuring CTO Anthony Deighton and CMO Rick Jackson introducing Qlik Sense. We only had one hour slotted for our speakers to run through the demonstration and answer questions. Unfortunately we could not get to them all.
We had some great questions that ended up in the unanswered queue, so we wanted to address them separately here on our Design Blog. If you missed the webcast, you can view it in its entirety here. Thanks to everyone who was able to join us last week, and we hope that you can drop by the website to try Qlik Sense for yourself!
Be sure to join the conversation on the Qlik Community. Our members share various insight, tips, tricks and other contributions that can make you more familiar with Qlik Sense.
Q: Can Qlik Sense reports be shared and scheduled for automated delivery?
A: Assuming automated delivery means the sending of an attachment or posting of a static document for others to review, in a traditional BI sense, then no, not at this time. However, this is not your typical BI product, you may want to rethink how information is distributed. Qlik Sense provides both online and desktop-based self-service data visualization capabilities, including storytelling through the creation of apps. These apps can be shared in a few ways. Qlik Sense Desktop users can share their local app with other Qlik Sense Desktop users – simply through file sharing and/or email. They can also upload an interact-only copy of their app to the Qlik Cloud online sharing service – to be shared with those inside and outside of their organization. You can see both these capabilities in action here: Qlik Sense Desktop - Sharing Apps (video) and Qlik Sense Desktop - Sharing Apps (video)
Q: Does Qlik Sense allow scroll-bars in chart objects on iPads and iPhones?
A: Yes – when and where necessary and depending on the chart object. Our responsive design enables chart objects to resize and reconfigure themselves along with their layout depending on the device and form-factor. Here is a screenshot showing a scroll-bar that displays only when a drag gesture is performed on the table object.
Q: Can Qlik Sense export data / data model from another Qlik Sense dashboard app?
A: Yes – a .qvf file (which is the Qlik Sense app in file form and contains the data and the model) can be used as a data source with the BINARY LOAD Qlik syntax. Note that similar, if not all, Qlik script syntax concepts that have been used with QlikView, can also be used with Qlik Sense. You can see this in action here: Qlik Sense Desktop - Loading Data from QlikView Applications (video) Also note that chart objects - can also export, the chart object's individual data, by right-clicking on the object and selecting "export data" from the pop-up menu.
Q: Does Qlik Sense use DMS and NTFS for authorization?
A: With Qlik Sense, authorization is similar to the QlikView DMS mechanism, but has been vastly improved with the introduction of the Qlik Sense Repository and the new security rules engine. NTFS is no longer needed as Qlik Sense apps are not accessed or stored via the file system like they were with QlikView. Take a look at the Qlik Management Console video series and the Qlik Sense help site for more information on this topic.
Q: What sort of security does Qlik Sense provide as some data may be company sensitive?
A: In summary, any type you want. We can handle many different layers of security from authentication, authorization, action and data level perspectives. This topic can be quite elaborate, so we suggest you check out the Qlik Help site under the security topic. Data level security in regards to rows and columns can be handled with Dynamic Data Reduction and Section Access.
Q: Is it possible to see a 3D view of Geographical data?
A: In version 1.0 of Qlik Sense, no not with the available out-of-the-box chart objects. However an extension object that utilizes a 3rd party library and API such as D3 could be built to do this. In addition it could be made available from our extensive partner network. Qlik Sense has a robust set of APIs and works with open standards making it easy and familiar for developers and partners to create such a thing. You may want to check out – Qlik Branch - to join the developer community and download some creative and useful extensions for both QlikView and Qlik Sense. You can learn more about Qlik Sense extensions here: Qlik Sense - Introduction to Extensions (video)
Q: How could Qlik Sense work offline if a network connection is not available?
A: The free Qlik Sense Desktop could be used to access a Qlik Sense app that has been exported from the complete Qlik Sense platform or used to open a shared Qlik Sense app file provided by another Qlik Sense Desktop user; therefore providing a type of offline access.
Q: Will users have the ability to change things like fonts and font colors?
A: At the moment there is a theme engine in place that can be configured with the use of files, to change and brand the global interface and object styles. Branding and other user style capabilities are making their way into the product over time. Specifics have not been communicated just yet, however as you can see with the text / image object and the data storytelling capabilities – you can change font sizes and colors, so the capability is part of the architecture. Enhancements such as these are prioritized along with other needs.
Q: Are there any downloadable files (spreadsheets, desktop Qlik Sense file, etc) available for training?
A: There is an extensive list of video tutorials, documents, guides and samples available in the Qlik Community and the Qlik Help site, these include: