Looker

Looker, not to be confused with Looker Studio, is a Google Cloud Business Intelligence tool designed to address key challenges faced by business teams and data analysts.

• A lack of trust and reliability in data due to multiple sources and varying business rules.
• A lack of autonomy for business teams, which often depend on data analysts for their analyses.

Beyond traditional dashboarding functions found in BI tools, Looker offers several key features:

• A proprietary semantic layer (LookML) that centralizes data governance and modularizes SQL queries.
• A self-service interface, called Explore, which enables users to perform analyses and visualizations without coding, similar to a pivot table.

The tool integrates seamlessly with Google Cloud services, SQL databases, and Git. It also allows users to export visualizations and embed them externally, while maintaining access controls, particularly for BigQuery through Google Cloud IAM.

However, Looker has some limitations. Managing complex use cases in LookML can be challenging, and its flexibility is somewhat restricted (it is not open-source, and its supported data sources are limited to databases). Additionally, teams need training to use it effectively. Looker is also one of the most expensive BI solutions on the market.

Theodo’s point of view

We recommend Looker and its semantic layer for centralizing data and empowering business teams, provided that users receive adequate training. For simple dashboarding, more cost-effective alternatives, such as Looker Studio (free on GCP) or traditional BI solutions like Tableau and Power BI, may be more suitable.