As the number of knowledge workers who use analytics continues to grow, so is the demand for data visualization tools that can ease the task of viewing and sharing information. The trend is generating a lot of new revenue for dashboarding providers like Carto Inc., which last week introduced a self-service version of its platform specifically designed with line-of-business users in mind.

Carto Builder makes it possible to layer business data over interactive maps using a combination of drag-and-drop controls and pre-implemented analytic functions. The tool is useful for a wide variety of tasks, from visualizing high-level metrics like regional revenues to breaking down complex geographic patterns. An NYC-based retail chain, for instance, could create a dashboard that displays how the average purchase size in its Manhattan stores changes on a seasonal basis. And after the modelling is complete, graphs can be easily distributed to executives via to a built-in sharing mechanism that borrows a page from Google Docs’ playbook.

The feature also shares many similarities with the Publish to Web capability that Microsoft Corp. rolled out for Power BI last week against the backdrop of Carto’s announcement. The business intelligence tool now provides the ability to embed visualizations in a company’s website, blog or internal network directly through the native interactive. Graphs can even be integrated into applications thanks to an embedded version of the offering that Redmond introduced in conjunction.

The Power BI enhancements rolled out on the same date that Russian startup VisionLabs raised $5.5 million to drive the adoption of its product recommendation engine. The software can identify repeat visitors to a brick-and-mortar establishments using facial recognition technology, analyze their purchase history and generate a customized promotion. It’s geared mainly towards retailers and banks with a lot of repeat customers.

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