dbt Labs retires the spreadsheets

At a glance

• The dbt Labs team overcame scalability and data accuracy issues by transitioning from Google Sheets to Pigment.
• They needed a flexible solution that could scale effectively with a fast-changing business in a fast-changing macro environment.
• They chose Pigment, impressed by its integration and scenario analysis capabilities.

Founded in 2016, dbt Labs is a tech company based in Philadelphia and the creator of dbt (data build tool), an open-source tool that enables data analysts and engineers to manage data in their warehouses more efficiently and collaboratively. 

Retiring the spreadsheet

Before Pigment, the finance team were being held back by their use of spreadsheets.

Why Pigment?

dbt Labs needed an effective solution that would not only accommodate their growing needs but also streamline their operations, particularly in workforce planning. Pigment stood out for the following reasons:

• Scalability: Being a growing business, dbt Labs required a tool that could grow along with it. Pigment provided a solution that removed the limitations they were experiencing with Google Sheets.
• Real-time data: One of the standout offerings of Pigment was the ability to track the progress of different teams in real-time, ensuring interventions could be made where required.
• Data accuracy: The complexities of managing multiple spreadsheets often give rise to errors. Pigment eliminated this risk with an all-in-one, automated platform.
• Scenario planning: dbt Labs needed the ability to rapidly spin up and explore business scenarios.

The result

Before Pigment, updating Google Sheets took days of team members’ time just to analyze progress against the plan. Now, dbt Labs has seamless data flow, particularly around workforce planning. That means they’re able to check in before the end of quarter to help teams hit their goals, rather than waiting until they’re near the finish line.

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