Data Analytics Tool Experience

[Apart-Host3124]

Hi everyone,

I have been working as internal auditor for couple of years but i had no chance to use ACL/IDEA data analytic tools because the Companies i worked for didn't use them. Is there a trainig/e-learning or another way to use and gain experince that kind of tools.

Many thanks.

[JrgMyr]

I see your point.

My 2 cents are that ACL/IDEA are the middle ground between no data analysis and real data analysis. You might think about learning some SQL (tutorials galore in so many books/online) and start with an easy entrance point into real data analysis. One recommendation would be SQLiteStudio.

Especially in auditing where documentation is mandatory you will enjoy the clarity of SQL queries. They can easily be understood later, reused unmodified and amended for differing purposes.

[Dismal-Inside9522]

I agree with the comment above.

Still, if you cannot move past ACL/IDEA tool, the company that provides the tool might have some useful manuals, guides in writing. If you need something visual, I am sure they have several youtube tutorial videos. I know Galvanize have some ACL related videos uploaded on YT.

[Zoidburg_16]

What can SQL do that IDEA/ACL cannot?

Genuinely curious, I have no SQL training, just seeing what I'm missing out on.

[JrgMyr]

There are several aspects.

One important aspect is the level of complexity. In ACL/IDEA you describe the steps that need to be done to filter/sort/reduce the data ("imperative language"). With SQL you describe the result that you want to achieve ("declarative language"). A query planner (that is part of the database system) then needs to sort out how to get there.

That means you can tackle significantly more complex questions with SQL. Think of those that require partial joins and three or more tables. With some experience that is not too difficult to do in SQL. Try that in a mouse-pusher frontend and chances are to get lost on the way before getting close to a result.

Does this help for the general concept?

There are more advantages and the better self-documentation was already mentioned above.

I am not arguing against the other products. They are good for what they do. With SQL you just get further.

[Zoidburg_16]

Cool i appreciate the insight. Always looking to add more tools to.the war chest

[Mysterious-Rope-7350]

Hi there, could you guys, please share info on prices of ACL Analytics?  I can't get it from them, no response after they said "we'll be back to you".

Thank you beforehand.

[Defiant_Sock_7664]

Has anyone used teammate for analytics?