Salesforce Introduces ‘Agentic Analytics’ in Tableau to Solve Rising Data Issues

Last month, Salesforce announced the next installment of their Tableau offering: Tableau Next. They have now enhanced the platform with agentic analytics, posing as a solution to rising data issues expressed by business leaders in Salesforce’s latest data report.

But what are agentic analytics, and why is solving data problems more important now than ever?

What Does Tableau Next Do?

Tableau Next is built on the core Salesforce platform and leverages the power of Data Cloud to deliver enterprise-grade performance, robust security, and a flexible, zero-copy data integration for seamless data connectivity.

It offers a new approach to business intelligence, evolving Tableau’s flagship analytics platform with agentic analytics provided by Salesforce’s proprietary AI platform Agentforce, and is already being adopted by industry leaders such as Deloitte, IBM, and Box.

What Is ‘Agentic Analytics’?

According to Salesforce, agentic analytics “allows users to collaborate with AI agents to speed up the entire data-to-action processes”, and puts Tableau Next a step ahead of regular analytical insights.

Analysts no longer need to rely solely on static visuals; AI can now handle tasks like data preparation and ETL (extract, transform, load) processes automatically. This shift lets analysts concentrate on more meaningful insights.

Meanwhile, business leaders can ask straightforward questions in natural language and receive immediate, accurate answers, along with actionable suggestions. By eliminating the need for specialized technical skills and reducing manual effort, AI-powered analytics streamlines decision-making and enhances efficiency, far surpassing traditional BI tools.

Tableau Next Top Features

Some of Tableau Next’s top features include Data Pro, Concierge, and Inspector, which all play integral roles in making sure the platform is efficient, intuitive, and operating in real-time.

A couple of other notable features include:

• Ensuring Data Trust and Accuracy: Featuring Tableau Semantics.
  • Tableau Semantics: Tableau Semantics acts as a unified semantic layer for Tableau Next and Agentforce, ensuring consistent data definitions so AI agents can deliver accurate, meaningful insights.
• Boosting Efficiency: Featuring Tableau Marketplace.
  • Marketplace: Allows users to easily share and reuse data analysis components (data assets, connections, metrics, visualizations, and dashboards), saving time and ensuring everyone is working with the same information.

Solving a Data Problem

Salesforce has revealed that a big driver behind the creation of Tableau Next’s technology is the fact that many organizations are currently facing a “data paradox”.

According to a new Salesforce survey of more than 500 US business leaders, over 75% are under pressure to prove the value of their data.

The data makes it clear that data literacy is non-negotiable, but it is evident that there is a gap in confidence, with over half of respondents admitting that they aren’t sure that they can find, analyze, and interpret data on their own. This is, of course, a problem – business leaders need to feel confident in their data strategies in order to be able to guide deliberate and accurate decision-making, especially as factors such as an uncertain economy and cost-cutting are currently prevalent.

This is why solutions like Tableau Next are critical now more than ever and will hopefully drive organizations and teams forward as they navigate their data in the AI era.

Summary

Tableau Next is now generally available with the Tableau+ SKU, and Tableau Semantics is generally available with Tableau Next.

Concierge and Data Pro will be generally available in June 2025, whilst Inspector and Internal Marketplace will be available at some point in 2025.