The Progress DataDirect Autonomous REST Connector simplifies the process of accessing REST APIs.
While attending Tableau’s 2023 conference in Las Vegas, it became very clear that REST APIs continue to grow as a popular method for retrieving data, enabling seamless integration with external systems. However, integrating REST APIs into data visualization tools such as Tableau often requires coding skills and can be time-consuming. This is where a tool like Progress DataDirect Autonomous REST Connector comes into play. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of using the Progress DataDirect Autonomous REST Connector over the Tableau Web Data Connector and discuss how it simplifies the process of accessing REST APIs without any coding.
The buzz we created at our booth was tangible. Visitors were excited to see how quickly I was able to demo connecting to a REST API, in this case Yelp! to map local restaurants in a viz. It was great showing one attendee a few great local restaurant choices on the Las Vegas Strip—in real-time. One even commented, “It would have taken me hours to do what you did in minutes!”
Quick and Easy: Tableau to REST
No Coding Required:
One of the key advantages of the Progress DataDirect Autonomous REST Connector is its ability to access REST APIs without the need for coding. The Tableau Web Data Connector requires writing custom code to establish the connection and retrieve data, which can be challenging for non-technical users and time consuming for others. Progress DataDirect Autonomous REST Connector eliminates this barrier by providing a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to configure and connect to REST APIs effortlessly. Users can simply enter the necessary information, such as API endpoints, authentication credentials and query parameters, through an intuitive interface. This empowers business users and data analysts to independently access data from REST APIs without relying on developers, saving time and resources.
Use Live Data—Skip the Extract:
Unlike the Tableau Web Data Connector, which primarily works with extracted data, the Progress DataDirect Autonomous REST Connector supports direct access to live data though an easy to configure ODBC or JDBC connection. This means that users can access real-time data from REST APIs, ensuring that their visualizations and analysis are always up to date. With the Autonomous REST Connector, businesses can make data-driven decisions based on the most current information available, leading to more accurate insights and improved decision-making.
Pre-Build Templates or Custom APIs—Your Choice!
In today's fast-paced business environment, efficient data integration is crucial for gaining meaningful insights. The Progress Autonomous REST Connector offers a superior alternative to the Tableau Web Data Connector, eliminating the need to download and modify sample code. We provide over 50 models to connect to sources such as Jira, Aha!, Marketo and ZenDesk. For custom REST sources, you can easily use the user interface to sample endpoints and create a connection—we do all the work of determining how to map these sources to SQL. By simplifying the process of accessing REST APIs, the Autonomous REST Connector empowers business users, saves time, resources and accelerates data-driven decision-making.
Leaving Las Vegas, it became clear that the Progress DataDirect Autonomous REST Connector is a perfect fit for Tableau. By eliminating the need for coding and providing a seamless graphical user interface, it enables non-technical users and data analysts to independently access REST API data, saving valuable time and resources. Additionally, unlike the Tableau Web Data Connector, the Autonomous REST Connector allows for direct access to live data, ensuring that visualizations and analysis are always up to date. Whether utilizing pre-built templates or connecting to custom APIs, the Autonomous REST Connector simplifies the integration process, accelerates data-driven decision-making and empowers businesses to gain meaningful insights efficiently.
To learn more about how you can benefit from the Autonomous REST Connector, please visit us here: https://www.progress.com/connectors/autonomous-rest-connector.
Aaron Burg
Aaron Burg is a sales engineer with Progress. He has worked in the IT space for 25 years, focusing on data connectivity, systems administration and security. This broad experience has allowed him to be a valuable resource for customers looking to implement Progress DataDirect connectivity solutions.