Utilizing Data Apps on Snowflake: Five Top Use Cases

In the world of business intelligence, we’re no longer just analyzing numbers on one screen while taking actions on another. Data apps are bridging this gap, merging insights and actions into a unified experience. Snowflake makes it possible to bring everything together—simplifying workflows and empowering decision-makers in real-time. Let’s explore five ways data apps on Snowflake are transforming work, inspired by the conversation in our recent video.

1. Real-Time Data Action: A Unified Interface

Data apps allow businesses to converge their analytics dashboards with operational systems like CRM and marketing automation platforms. No more toggling between different systems—you can enter a new deal or modify an opportunity and see it reflected instantly in your analytics. This convergence ensures real-time data reflection, reducing lags, enhancing decision-making accuracy, and offering immediate feedback for users to act on the latest data without delays.

2. Writeback Capabilities: Closing the Loop in Real-Time

The traditional BI workflow often requires two screens—one for viewing dashboards and another for operational systems, such as CRM tools. Users would analyze insights on the left and manually act on them on the right. This setup introduces delays and the risk of inconsistencies. While insights are provided, action requires a separate step in a different tool.

With Data apps, writeback functionality is changing that. Users can enter updates directly into their systems—whether it’s modifying sales forecasts, adjusting inventory, or adding notes to customer records—without leaving the dashboard. This eliminates the gap between insight and action, creating a seamless, closed-loop experience that keeps your data and decisions in sync.

3. Embedded Dashboards: Contextual Analytics at Your Fingertips

Often, valuable insights are missed because the data lives in isolated silos, disconnected from where decisions are made. Data apps make it possible to embed dashboards directly within operational tools, keeping data accessible and relevant. These embedded analytics copy the security model of your data warehouse, so users interact with the freshest data in its proper context. This approach gives users a unified experience—they’re not just viewing reports; they’re making decisions right where the action happens.

4. From Data Insights to Immediate Action: Closing the Analytics Loop

Historically, there’s been a disconnect between generating insights and acting upon them. Data apps are addressing this challenge by integrating insight and action into one fluid workflow. Now, you can work on a CRM, update a deal, and immediately see those changes in your analytics, closing the analytics loop. This shift to a more connected interface transforms how we approach business challenges, fostering faster, more informed decisions.

5. Self-Service Exploration: Empowering Non-Technical Users

Historically, there’s been a disconnect between generating insights and acting upon them. Data apps are addressing this challenge by integrating insight and action into one fluid workflow. Now, you can work on a CRM, update a deal, and immediately see those changes in your analytics, closing the analytics loop. This shift to a more connected interface transforms how we approach business challenges, fostering faster, more informed decisions.

These five use cases show how Snowflake’s data apps transcend traditional BI limitations. They merge insights and actions into a single space, eliminate silos with embedded analytics, and add writeback features to close the analytics loop. Modern data apps aren’t just about insights—they make those insights actionable in real-time. BI 3.0 is here, making data work simpler, faster, and more impactful.

Want to learn more, watch the webinar on YouTube!