DaaS BI Integration | Provider Analysis

Based on Technical Vision Document

Selecting the Perfect BI Partner for DaaS

An interactive analysis of 25 BI providers against the "Technical Vision: BI Provider Integration" requirements. Focusing on Warehouse-First architecture, Semantic Layer governance, and Tenant Safety.

The Guardrails

The Technical Vision document establishes strict non-negotiables. The selected provider must adhere to these three core pillars.

Warehouse-First

"The BI provider is a consumer of governed analytical data, not a data processing authority."

  • Direct Snowflake Query
  • No Data Extraction/Caching
  • dbt-transformed datasets

Governance & DevOps

"Simprogroup owns and governs the canonical semantic layer... Internal teams produce high-quality dashboards."

  • Git Integration (Preferred)
  • Semantic Layer definition
  • Auditable Access Logs

Embedded Experience

"Paying customers access insights immediately... Explore data safely... Sold separately from core product."

  • Robust Embedding SDK
  • White-labeling
  • Strict Tenant Isolation

The Filtering Process

From 25 potential providers to 3 best fits.

All 25 Providers Initial List
Analysis
Filter: Warehouse-First & Direct Query Removing tools that rely on data extraction or heavy proprietary caching.
-8 Candidates
Excluded: Qlik, Domo (Legacy modes), FanRuan (Heavy Reporting), etc.
Filter: "Simpro Owns Semantic Layer" & DevOps Removing tools with weak code-first/Git workflows or pure GUI modeling.
-10 Candidates
Excluded: ThoughtSpot, Arka, Knowi (NoSQL focus), etc.
Final Selection: The Top 3 Fits Optimized for Embedding, Snowflake, and Governance.
3 Candidates

The Recommendations

These three platforms offer the best alignment with the Technical Vision, though each prioritizes a different aspect of the "North Star".

Holistics.io

The Gov Choice

Why it fits: Holistics is built around a code-first semantic layer (AML) that integrates natively with Git. It perfectly enables "Simprogroup owns the semantic layer" while allowing "Internal teams to produce reusable dashboards".

Code-First (As-Code) Defines logic in code, version controlled via Git.
dbt Integration Natively consumes dbt models.
Self-Service Exploration Safe drag-and-drop for end-users.
Fit Score

Sigma

The Snowflake Native

Why it fits: The definition of "Warehouse-First". It acts as a spreadsheet interface directly over Snowflake. It supports massive scale and complex analysis without extracts.

Direct Snowflake Query Zero data movement. Best-in-class performance.
Embedded Workbooks Embed entire exploration interfaces safely.
Versioning Has version control, but less "code-file" centric than Holistics.
Fit Score

Omni

(Acquired Explo)
The Unified Platform

Why it fits: Omni acquired Explo to bridge the gap between governance and embedding. Note: Omni currently uses Iframe embedding. Explo's native embedding technology is expected to be integrated into the Omni platform on the roadmap.

Unified Semantic Layer Strong modeling capabilities (The View) + SQL flexibility.
Embedding Transition Current: Iframe. Future: Native SDK (Explo migration in ~1 yr).
Warehouse Native Direct query architecture (no extracts).
Fit Score

Visual Comparison

Comparing the Top 3 based on 5 critical dimensions derived from the Technical Vision document.

  • Holistics: Balanced DevOps & Governance.
  • Sigma: Max Warehouse Leverage.
  • Omni: Strong Semantics + Embed.

Detailed Compliance Matrix

Document Requirement Holistics Sigma Omni
Warehouse-First (Direct Query) Native Native Native
Semantic Layer Ownership Strong (AML) Via Dataset Strong (Model)
Git Integration (DevOps) Excellent Good Good
Tenant Safety (RLS) Supports dynamic WHERE & Policies Pass-through Snowflake RLS User Attributes + RLS
Exploration (Self-Service) Drag & Drop builder Spreadsheet-like Excel-like + SQL