If you have heard the name Qlik but are not sure what it does or whether it fits your needs, this guide will help. Qlik is a business intelligence tool that helps people see and understand their data. It is used by companies in many industries to make better decisions faster.
This post will explain what Qlik is, what it does, and who uses it. By the end, you will have a clearer picture of whether Qlik might be a good fit for your team.
If you want to explore Qlik yourself, you can start a free 30-day Qlik Cloud Analytics trial here:
Free 30-day trial for Qlik Cloud Analytics
You can also join the Arc Academy for Qlik community to learn with others:
Arc Academy for Qlik on Skool
What Is Qlik?
Qlik is a software platform that turns raw data into visual dashboards and reports. Instead of looking at rows and columns in a spreadsheet, you can see charts, graphs, and maps that show patterns and trends.
The main goal of Qlik is to help people answer questions about their business. Questions like:
- Which products are selling the most?
- Where are we losing customers?
- How long does it take to complete a process?
- What is our revenue this quarter compared to last year?
Qlik pulls data from different sources, such as databases, spreadsheets, and cloud apps. It then organizes that data so you can explore it, filter it, and share it with others. You do not need to be a data scientist to use Qlik. If you know what questions you want to answer, Qlik can help you find the answers.
For a broader look at how analytics tools fit into your strategy, you can explore our Data Analytics Services or read more from Gartner on data and analytics.
What Does Qlik Do?
Qlik does three main things: it connects to your data, it helps you explore that data, and it lets you share what you find.
1. Connect to Your Data
Qlik can pull data from many places. This includes databases like SQL Server, cloud tools like Salesforce, spreadsheets like Excel, and even web APIs. Once connected, Qlik brings all that data into one place so you can see the full picture.
2. Explore and Analyze
Qlik uses something called associative analytics. This means you can click on any part of a chart or table, and Qlik will show you how that selection relates to everything else. For example, if you click on a region, you can instantly see sales, customers, and products for that region. You do not have to build a new report every time you have a new question.
3. Share Insights
Once you build a dashboard or report, you can share it with your team. People can view it on their computer, tablet, or phone. They can also interact with it, filtering and exploring on their own. This makes it easier for everyone to stay on the same page.
If you want help setting up Qlik or building your first dashboards, you can learn more at Arc Qlik Consulting Services or Arc Qlik Support.
Who Uses Qlik?
Qlik is used by people in many different roles and industries. Here are some of the most common groups:
Business Leaders and Executives
Leaders use Qlik to see high-level metrics in one place. They can track revenue, costs, customer satisfaction, and other key numbers without waiting for a monthly report. Qlik helps them make faster, more informed decisions.
Managers and Department Heads
Managers use Qlik to monitor team performance, spot problems, and plan ahead. For example, a sales manager might use Qlik to see which reps are hitting their targets and which products are lagging. An operations manager might use it to track delivery times or inventory levels.
Analysts and Data Teams
Analysts use Qlik to dig deeper into data and find insights. They build dashboards, run reports, and answer questions from other teams. Qlik gives them a flexible tool to explore data without writing complex code.
Frontline Staff
Frontline workers use Qlik to see simple, focused views that guide their daily work. For example, a nurse might use a Qlik dashboard to see patient wait times, or a warehouse worker might use it to see order status.
Which Industries Use Qlik?
Qlik is used across many industries. Here are a few examples:
| Industry | Common Use Cases |
| Healthcare | Track patient outcomes, monitor wait times, manage resources |
| Government | Analyze budgets, track program performance, improve services |
| Education | Monitor student progress, manage enrollment, track funding |
| Retail | Track sales, manage inventory, understand customer behavior |
| Manufacturing | Monitor production, track quality, manage supply chains |
| Finance | Analyze risk, track performance, monitor compliance |
You can learn more about how Qlik is used in specific industries here:
- Healthcare Data Analytics Services
- Government Data Analytics Services
- Education Data Analytics Services
Why Do Companies Choose Qlik?
There are many business intelligence tools available. Here are a few reasons why companies choose Qlik:
- Associative analytics: Qlik lets you explore data freely without being locked into a fixed path.
- Fast performance: Qlik can handle large amounts of data and still respond quickly.
- Cloud and on-premise options: You can run Qlik in the cloud or on your own servers.
- Strong community: Qlik has a large user community, lots of training resources, and many partners who can help.
If you are comparing Qlik to other tools, it helps to think about your specific needs. What questions do you want to answer? Who will use the tool? How much data do you have? These questions will guide your choice.
For help thinking through your options, you can explore our Data Strategy Consulting services or reach out through Contact Us.
How to Get Started with Qlik
If you are ready to try Qlik, here are a few simple steps:
- Start a free trial: Sign up for a 30-day Qlik Cloud Analytics trial to explore the tool without a big commitment.
Free 30-day trial for Qlik Cloud Analytics - Join a community: Connect with other Qlik users to ask questions and learn from their experience.
Arc Academy for Qlik on Skool - Get support: If you need help with setup, training, or building dashboards, reach out to a Qlik partner.
Arc Qlik Consulting Services - Start small: Pick one or two questions you want to answer. Build a simple dashboard. Learn as you go.
You do not need to master everything on day one. The most important thing is to start exploring and see how Qlik can help your team make better decisions.For more guidance, you can also check out our post on How To Get Started With Qlik in 2026.