VisualCue releases version 2.6
We believe in the promise of data visualization. The promise that through innovative ways to present data a powerful visualization can make information more accessible and actionable to anyone who wants to use it.
With every new version of VisualCue we take steps to make data more accessible and actionable, making the story in your data emerge even faster so anyone can know exactly what they need to do to improve.
In version 2.6 we’ve made a number of improvements ourselves.
Population visualization sheds new light on cramped spaces
Question: In the morning, in those golden moments after you’ve woken but before you really start the day, which website do you head to first?
I know many out there will likely point to Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin but it’s a standing testament to how much we love data visualization here at VisualCue that usually we look at something like r/dataisbeautiful on Reddit or dadaviz.com.
Clearing Away the Cobwebs: DataViz Lesson 2
In a previous post we talked about the 3 keys to ideal data visualization: easy for everyone to understand, simple to spot problems or trends and fits any data size.
You might say “but VisualCrew, don’t current data visualization methods fit that bill? Why change?” Good question, and you’re partially right. Spreadsheets, pie charts and line graphs certainly tell a part of the story: usually the high-level, strategic part. If you want to see how a department, agent, student, truck or any other person, process or asset is doing over the course of quarters or years then sure, current data visualization might get the job done.
But what if you want to see the details? The specifics? How are entities performing minute to minute? That’s the kind of data that we find interesting because it’s the kind of thing you can change right now- you can actually interact with it. Traditional data visualization doesn’t do so well with that kind of operational data. Quite simply, the spreadsheet and pie chart just aren’t cutting it anymore.
The 3 Keys to Ideal Data Visualization: DataViz Lesson 1
Here’s an interesting exercise- try and define what data visualization is. At VisualCue we did and we came up with a dozen different answers. They ranged from complicated answers involving taxonomies of information to simple answers focusing on various ways to see information.
Even though we all had a different definition for what data visualization is today, we all had pretty similar answers to the follow up question- what is data visualization supposed to be?
As usual, the simplest answer was the best-
“Data visualization enables us to use data.”
Data Arts
The thing we love most about the VisualCue Tile is just how versatile it is. Ultimately customizable, Tiles can be adapted in our Tile Builder to fit just about any organization or business. Once created, they can be placed on maps, calendars, diagrams or even augmented reality.
While Tiles have been applied in call centers, vacation ownerships, food distributors and logistics companies we are just beginning to scratch the surface of what intuitive data visualization can do.
For example, what sort of role would data visualization play in the arts?
The Power of Presentation
If you’ve seen our introductory video or read our philosophy page you’ll notice we often say VisualCue is “powered by sight.” We spend a lot of time talking about the speed and power of the eyes and brain to decode and comprehend images.
It’s because our entire approach to data visualization and operational intelligence is centered on the presentation of information. It’s our firm belief that data is useless unless it can be easily consumed, understood and acted upon. There are dozens of data transformation tools out there to clean up your data (and we connect to the vast majority of them, just see our new data connections section) no tools have made any great innovations in presentation. It was a huge missed opportunity, because recent discoveries prove there is amazing power in your eyes.
VisualCue Update 2.5
If you ever get the chance, come to Orlando for our Monday lunch meetings at the VisualCue offices. Walk in and you’ll find a bunch of people sitting around a table talking excitedly, gesturing wildly, scribbling on pieces of paper.
With that in mind we are proud to unveil VisualCue 2.5, full of new features and improved functionality. We will be updating our servers over the long weekend, so look for the following changes to go live by Monday July 6th.
VisualCue saves logistics company $1.3M
VisualCue: Secret Weapon
In businesses where it’s been implemented, VisualCue is a powerful tool for change. As such, many of our most well-known clients don’t want to broadcast the tool giving them an edge over the competition.
VisualCue has become, essentially, a secret weapon. While we’re really proud of that, it also means we can’t always directly talk about our clients and their experiences.
VisualCue's Data Storytelling
Kerry Gilger, VisualCue’s CEO, talks about the value of data storytelling and what makes VisualCue so unique.
Why on earth should we care about data visualization?
Why should we care indeed. Rows and columns of numbers have done just fine for humanity’s data visualization needs for hundreds of years, why change now?
Simple. Because rows and columns (or pie charts and bar graphs for that matter) are not easily consumed or comprehended. That’s because there’s an added layer of abstraction in those methods. The real data is being generated and then it’s being translated into this foreign language that bears no resemblance to the real thing and only a handful of analysts are qualified to interpret and get any sort of meaningful insight from.