We’re thrilled to introduce the Shared Data Marts feature, a powerful tool designed to streamline team collaboration and accelerate reporting. Users without direct access to BigQuery can now create reports and set up scheduled data refreshes. Let’s dive into what’s new.
This year, we’ve introduced several valuable features to the OWOX Reports Extension, including advanced scheduling, filtering and sorting options, automatic charts and pivots, enhanced security, and more.
Our mission is to empower data analysts and business users—managers, marketers, sales teams, finance professionals, and others—to work together effortlessly, delivering fast, accurate insights that drive smarter business decisions. With Shared Data Marts, you can save time and make faster, data-driven decisions.
What's New
Query Renamed to Data Mart
We've changed the term Query to Data Mart. Originally, a Query was just SQL code run through BigQuery. Over time, we've added many new features, and now we need to expand our terminology. So, when you create reports from today, you'll select a Data Mart from the dropdown menu.
However, we've retained Query as a part of the Data Mart because it effectively describes the SQL code executed in BigQuery.
Improved Interface
We've updated the Data Mart settings interface for a better user experience:
- Top Section: Shows the popup header and Data Mart title.
- Main Content: Contains two tabs—Query and Share.
- Bottom Section: Includes buttons with context menu and helpful links.
In the Query tab, you'll find familiar settings like SQL code and versioning.
The Save & Run button now has a menu with all actions for the Data Mart, keeping less-used options neatly organized.
Share Data Marts with Your Team
Users with direct access to BigQuery who create Data Marts in the extension can now share them by adding team members' email addresses and providing only essential Drive and BigQuery permissions.
With a shared Data Mart, business users can create reports in Google Sheets based on the shared Data Mart without modifying its settings. Everyone benefits:
-
Data Analysts: Focus on creating a few Data Marts that provide a wide range of data, acting as a "window to the data," where the analyst sets the "width of this window" using SQL code.
Access control noteBusiness users can only create or edit their own reports based on the shared Data Marts in the OWOX extension. They won't have access to your GCP project or the SQL code in the Query, and they will only see the Data Marts shared with them.
- Business Users: Build reports with the filters and sorting options they need. They can schedule automatic data updates—daily, hourly, or at specific days and times.
Real-Life Examples
- Marketing Manager: "I need to analyze campaign performance every week. With the shared Data Mart, I can run my own reports whenever I need them."
- Sales Manager: "I want to check sales performance daily without waiting for updates from the data analyst."
Built with Data Safety in Mind
OWOX encrypts your credentials and never stores data when importing. BigQuery permissions are used only to run reports and execute SQL queries via the BigQuery API, while Google Drive permissions allow inserting the resulting data into Google Sheets documents.
Data Mart authors can add or revoke access by entering or removing user emails on the Share tab in the Data Mart editor popup. To learn more about sharing Data Marts, read our guide for Data Mart authors.
Business users can check out "How to Create a Report Based on a Shared Data Mart". If you have any questions, please contact us at bi@owox.com. We're always happy to help.
Thank you for choosing OWOX BI.
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