Metabase consultants

Q: What does Metabase actually do?

Metabase is an open-source business intelligence tool that lets you query databases and build dashboards without writing SQL. You connect it to your PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, or other data sources, then use its visual query builder to create charts, reports, and interactive dashboards that update in real time.

Q: Can we self-host Metabase or does it need to be cloud-hosted?

Both options are available. Metabase runs as a single Java JAR file or Docker container, so you can deploy it on your own server, a VPS, or a Kubernetes cluster. There is also a hosted Metabase Cloud option if you prefer not to manage infrastructure. Self-hosting is free and gives you full control over data residency and access.

Q: How does Metabase handle permissions and data access control?

Metabase has granular permissions at the database, schema, and table level. You can create groups with different access levels — some teams might see raw data, while others only see pre-built dashboards. Row-level security through sandboxing lets you restrict which records each user sees, which is useful for multi-tenant setups or regional teams.

Q: How does Osher help businesses set up and use Metabase?

We handle Metabase deployment, database connections, and permission configuration so your team gets a working analytics platform without the setup overhead. Our automated data processing and system integration services connect Metabase to your full data stack and build n8n workflows for automated report delivery and data pipeline orchestration.

We can help you automate your business with Metabase and hundreds of other systems to improve efficiency and productivity. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss implementing Metabase.

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About Metabase

Metabase is an open-source business intelligence and analytics tool that lets teams query databases, build dashboards, and share reports without writing SQL. It connects to popular databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and BigQuery, giving non-technical users a visual way to explore data and answer business questions on their own.

When integrated with n8n, Metabase becomes part of an automated data pipeline. You can schedule n8n workflows to push data into the databases that Metabase reads from, trigger alerts when Metabase queries return specific results, or automate the distribution of reports to stakeholders via email or Slack.

Common automation patterns include pulling CRM data into a reporting database on a schedule so Metabase dashboards stay current, sending automated Slack notifications when a KPI exceeds a threshold, and consolidating data from multiple SaaS tools into a single Metabase dashboard.

We built a similar reporting pipeline for an insurance technology company, connecting weather data from the Bureau of Meteorology into an automated processing system — you can read about it in our BOM weather data pipeline case study. If your team is spending hours each week manually compiling reports, our automated data processing services can help you build pipelines that keep your dashboards current without manual effort. Our AI consulting team can assess your current reporting setup and recommend the right approach for your business.

Metabase FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about how Metabase consultants can help with integration and implementation

What does Metabase actually do?

How does Metabase connect to our existing data sources?

Metabase supports direct connections to most relational databases, data warehouses like BigQuery and Snowflake, and even MongoDB. You configure each data source with connection credentials, and Metabase scans the schema to let users explore tables and fields immediately. With n8n, you can also automate report distribution — sending scheduled dashboard snapshots or query results to Slack, email, or Google Sheets.

Who typically uses Metabase and what problems does it solve?

Operations managers, marketing teams, and founders at small to mid-sized companies use Metabase to answer data questions without waiting for an analyst. It solves the bottleneck of everyone relying on one technical person to pull reports — non-technical staff can build their own queries using the visual interface, while SQL-savvy team members can write custom queries and save them for others.

Can we self-host Metabase or does it need to be cloud-hosted?

How does Metabase handle permissions and data access control?

How does Osher help businesses set up and use Metabase?

How it works

We work hand-in-hand with you to implement Metabase

As Metabase consultants we work with you hand in hand build more efficient and effective operations. Here’s how we will work with you to automate your business and integrate Metabase with integrate and automate 800+ tools.

Step 1

Process Audit

We review your current reporting setup — which databases hold your key data, what reports your team runs manually, and where data gaps exist. This tells us exactly which data sources Metabase needs to connect to and what dashboards will deliver the most value from day one.

Step 2

Identify Automation Opportunities

We identify where Metabase’s scheduled queries, alert thresholds, and API can replace manual reporting tasks. Common wins include automated weekly KPI emails, real-time alerts when metrics cross a threshold, and scheduled data exports that feed into spreadsheets or other tools your team already uses.

Step 3

Design Workflows

We design n8n workflows that use Metabase’s API to automate report generation and distribution. This includes scheduling dashboard snapshots to Slack or email, piping query results into Google Sheets for finance teams, and triggering alerts in other systems when Metabase detects anomalies in your data.

Step 4

Implementation

We deploy Metabase on your infrastructure (Docker or standalone), connect your databases, configure user groups and permissions, and build the initial set of dashboards and saved questions. We also set up the n8n workflows for automated reporting and connect any additional data sources through custom database views or ETL pipelines.

Step 5

Quality Assurance Review

We validate that every dashboard displays accurate data by cross-checking query results against source databases. We test permission boundaries to confirm users only see data they should, verify scheduled reports deliver on time, and check that Metabase performs well under your expected query load.

Step 6

Support and Maintenance

After launch, we handle Metabase version upgrades, database connection maintenance, and performance tuning as your data volume grows. When your team needs new dashboards, additional data sources, or changes to permissions, we update the configuration and adjust n8n reporting workflows to match.

Transform your business with Metabase

Unlock hidden efficiencies, reduce errors, and position your business for scalable growth. Contact us to arrange a no-obligation Metabase consultation.

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