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Sigma Computing

Sigma Computing Overview

Sigma Computing is a modern, cloud-native business intelligence platform that combines the familiar interface of spreadsheets with the power of cloud data warehouses. While Sigma offers powerful analytics capabilities, it currently does not support direct connections to AWS Athena, which is the data source for Tallyfy Analytics.

About Sigma Computing

Sigma Computing provides an intuitive, spreadsheet-like interface that allows business users to explore data without needing SQL knowledge. The platform emphasizes:

  • Familiar Interface - Spreadsheet-like experience for data exploration
  • Cloud-Native Architecture - Built specifically for cloud data platforms
  • Self-Service Analytics - Empowers business users to create their own analyses
  • Live Data Connections - Real-time queries without data extraction
  • Collaborative Features - Team-based workbook editing and sharing

Current Connection Limitations

Important Note: Sigma Computing does not currently support connections to AWS Athena, which is the query engine that powers Tallyfy Analytics.

Sigma Computing connects directly to these data warehouse platforms:

Supported PlatformsConnection Type
SnowflakeNative connector
Google BigQueryNative connector
Amazon RedshiftNative connector
DatabricksNative connector
PostgreSQLNative connector
MySQLNative connector
Microsoft SQL ServerNative connector
AlloyDBNative connector
StarburstNative connector

Why Sigma Doesn’t Support Athena

Sigma’s architecture is designed to connect to persistent data warehouse services that maintain active connections and provide consistent query interfaces. AWS Athena, being a serverless query service, operates differently from traditional data warehouses:

  • Serverless Architecture - Athena doesn’t maintain persistent connections
  • Query-on-Demand - Different connection patterns than traditional warehouses
  • S3-Based Storage - Data stored in S3 rather than warehouse tables

Potential Workarounds

While direct Athena connection isn’t available, you might consider these alternatives:

Option 1: Use Redshift Spectrum

If you have Amazon Redshift, you can use Redshift Spectrum to query your S3 data (where Tallyfy Analytics stores data) and then connect Sigma to Redshift.

Option 2: Data Warehouse Migration

Consider moving your analytics data to a Sigma-supported warehouse like:

  • Snowflake - Popular choice for analytics workloads
  • BigQuery - Google’s serverless data warehouse
  • Redshift - Amazon’s data warehouse service

Option 3: Alternative BI Tools

For AWS Athena connectivity, consider BI tools that support Athena:

  • Power BI (with appropriate drivers)
  • Tableau (with JDBC connectivity)
  • AWS QuickSight (native Athena support)

Future Considerations

As data architectures evolve, BI vendors may expand their connector support. You might:

  • Monitor Sigma’s Roadmap - Check for future Athena support announcements
  • Submit Feature Requests - Contact Sigma to express interest in Athena connectivity
  • Evaluate Architectural Changes - Consider if moving to a supported warehouse aligns with your strategy

Getting Started with Sigma

If you decide to use Sigma with a compatible data warehouse, the platform offers:

  • Free trial periods to evaluate the platform
  • Comprehensive documentation and training resources
  • Professional services for implementation
  • Strong community support and resources

For current Tallyfy Analytics users, the Power BI and Tableau integrations remain the recommended paths for advanced analytics visualization.

Sigma > Connection limitations and alternatives

Understanding why Sigma Computing cannot directly connect to Tallyfy Analytics and exploring alternative approaches for data visualization and analysis including workarounds and recommended BI tools.

Sigma > Alternatives for spreadsheet-style analytics

This guide explores alternative solutions to Sigma Computing for analyzing Tallyfy Analytics data including Power BI with Excel integration Tableau with data source filters and AWS QuickSight with parameterized dashboards while providing implementation strategies and decision frameworks to help organizations choose the best spreadsheet-style analytics approach.

Integrations > Tallyfy Analytics

Tallyfy Analytics is an advanced add-on service that copies workflow data to dedicated analytical infrastructure enabling integration with business intelligence tools like Tableau Power BI and Looker for sophisticated analysis custom reporting and strategic decision-making beyond standard interface capabilities.

Analytics > Tableau

Tableau integration enhances Tallyfy Analytics by offering extensive data visualization tools for creating interactive dashboards and reports to analyze workflow performance through direct connectivity with Amazon Athena.