In this episode of Widget Wednesday, Chris Twiest walks through the Application Usage Comparison Dashboard from the Dashboard Gallery, focusing on how the full dashboard transforms raw usage data into meaningful, actionable comparisons within ControlUp.
Rather than spotlighting a single widget, this session explains how multiple widgets and interactions combine to answer real operational and planning questions.
Understanding how the dashboard works
When the dashboard first loads, it defaults to all applications. In this state, only the most-used applications by user count are shown, with no direct comparison. This is intentional. To unlock the dashboard’s value, users must actively select the specific applications they want to analyze, ensuring comparisons are deliberate and relevant.
Comparing real application usage
Chris demonstrates the dashboard using a common scenario: browser usage. By selecting Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, the dashboard dynamically updates to show unique users and time spent, making it immediately clear how applications compare. In the example shown, Chrome leads usage, followed by Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
Supporting migration and standardization decisions
This is where the dashboard becomes a decision-making tool. For teams evaluating a move from Chrome to Edge, the dashboard enables them to measure adoption, track usage shifts, and validate progress over time—without relying on assumptions.
Prerequisites that matter
The episode reinforces that end-user activity tracking must be enabled for accurate results. The Dashboard Gallery clearly flags this requirement, helping teams understand configuration steps and privacy considerations before relying on the data.
Extending the analysis
Chris also points to related dashboards, such as the SaaS Application Comparison Dashboard, which apply the same comparison principles to website usage, extending visibility beyond locally installed applications.
Why this matters
Application choices affect cost, security, productivity, and user experience. This dashboard provides teams with a data-backed way to compare real usage, validate change initiatives, and make informed decisions based on how applications are used across the organization.
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Categories: ControlUp Dashboards, Widget Wednesday - ControlUp Dashboard Videos