Visualizing data in the cloud

More and more companies are storing data in the cloud, and as this data grows, so does the need for reporting tools to make sense of this information. To address these growing needs, earlier this year we introduced the Google Visualization API, a powerful API that enables anyone to build apps on top of Google Spreadsheets. Companies can create and use reporting applications from the Google Visualization Gadget Gallery that can be integrated anywhere on the web, displaying data from a Google Spreadsheet. Today, we are expanding the capabilities of the Google Visualization API by enabling developers to display data from any data source connected to the web (any database, Excel spreadsheet, etc.), not just from Google Spreadsheets. From pivot tables and heat graphs to motion charts and timelines, the Google Visualization Gallery holds a growing set of 40+ visualizations that appeal to a multitude of businesses.

We're also pleased to announce that Salesforce.com has made available some tools to make the Google Visualization API even easier to use. These tools enable their customers to build sophisticated reporting and analysis applications using the API that works with data inside Salesforce.com's CRM. The Visualization API also enables developers to create custom reporting applications to sell to Salesforce customers or to other companies with data in the cloud. Earlier today at the Dreamforce conference, Adam Gross, Vice President, Developer Marketing, Salesforce.com, commented that "The enhancement of the Google Visualization API represents a significant opportunity for developers. We expect to see the creation of new tools for our users to quickly generate reports and dashboards for their Salesforce CRM data and in their Force.com applications. These enhanced analysis capabilities will provide our customers with greater productivity and deeper insight into their businesses."

As companies open their platforms, we expect to see increased integration of data and services across clouds, benefiting the enterprise community.




Posted by Nir Bar-Lev, Senior Product Manager, and Yossi Matias, Director of Tel Aviv Engineering Center