ETL Tools Comparison

The information provided below lists major strengths and weaknesses of the most popular ETL vendors.

IBM (Information Server Infosphere platform)

Advantages:

• strongest vision on the market, flexibility
• progress towards common metadata platform
• high level of satisfaction from clients and a variety of initiatives

Disadvantages:

• difficult learning curve
• long implementation cycles
• became very heavy (lots of GBs) with version 8.x and requires a lot of processing power

Informatica PowerCenter

Advantages:

• most substantial size and resources on the market of data integration tools vendors
• consistent track record, solid technology, straightforward learning curve, ability to address real-time data integration schemes
• Informatica is highly specialized in ETL and Data Integration and focuses on those topics, not on BI as a whole
• focus on B2B data exchange

Disadvantages:

• several partnerships diminishing the value of technologies
• limited experience in the field.

Microsoft (SQL Server Integration Services)

Advantages:

• broad documentation and support, best practices to data warehouses
• ease and speed of implementation
• standardized data integration
• real-time, message-based capabilities
• relatively low cost - excellent support and distribution model

Disadvantages:

• problems in non-Windows environments. Takes over all Microsoft Windows limitations.
• unclear vision and strategy

Oracle (OWB and ODI)

Advantages:

• based on Oracle Warehouse Builder and Oracle Data Integrator – two very powerful tools;
• tight connection to all Oracle datawarehousing applications;
• tendency to integrate all tools into one application and one environment.

Disadvantages:

• focus on ETL solutions, rather than in an open context of data management;
• tools are used mostly for batch-oriented work, transformation rather than real-time processes or federation data delivery;
• long-awaited bond between OWB and ODI brought only promises - customers confused in the functionality area and the future is uncertain

SAP BusinessObjects (Data Integrator / Data Services)

Advantages:

• integration with SAP
• SAP Business Objects created a firm company determined to stir the market;
• Good data modeling and data-management support;
• SAP Business Objects provides tools for data mining and quality; profiling due to many acquisitions of other companies.
• Quick learning curve and ease of use

Disadvantages:

• SAP Business Objects is seen as two different companies
• Uncertain future. Controversy over deciding which method of delivering data integration to use (SAP BW or BODI).
• BusinessObjects Data Integrator (Data Services) may not be seen as a stand-alone capable application to some organizations.

SAS

Advantages:

• experienced company, great support and most of all very powerful data integration tool with lots of multi-management features
• can work on many operating systems and gather data through number of sources – very flexible
• great support for the business-class companies as well for those medium and minor ones

Disadvantages:

• misplaced sales force, company is not well recognized
• SAS has to extend influences to reach non-BI community
• Costly

Sun Microsystems

Advantages:

• Data integration tools are a part of huge Java Composite Application Platform Suite - very flexible with ongoing development of the products
• 'Single-view' services draw together data from variety of sources; small set of vendors with a strong vision

Disadvantages:

• relative weakness in bulk data movement
• limited mindshare in the market
• support and services rated below adequate

Sybase

Advantages:

• assembled a range of capabilities to be able to address a mulitude of data delivery styles
• size and global presence of Sybase create opportunities in the market
• pragmatic near-term strategy - better of current market demand
• broad partnerships with other data quality and data integration tools vendors

Disadvantages:

• falls behind market leaders and large vendors
• gaps in many aspects of data management

Syncsort

Advantages:

• functionality; well-known brand on the market (40 years experience); loyal customer and experience base;
• easy implementation, strong performance, targeted functionality and lower costs

Disadvantages:

• struggle with gaining mind share in the market
• lack of support for other than ETL delivery styles
• unsatisfactory with lack of capability of professional services

Tibco Software

Advantages:

• message-oriented application integration; capabilities based on common SOA structures;
• support for federated views; easy implementation, support andperformance

Disadvantages:

• scarce references from customers; not widely enough recognised for data integration competencies
• lacking in data quality capabilities.

ETI

Advantages:

• proven and mature code-generating architecture
• one of the earliest vendors on the data integration market; support for SOA service-oriented deployments;
• successfully deals with large data volumes and a high degree of complexity, extension of the range of data platforms and data sources;
• customers' positive responses to ETI technology

Disadvantages:

• relatively slow growth of customer base
• rather not attractive and inventive technology.

iWay Software

Advantages:

• offers physical data movement and delivery; support of wide range of adapters and access to numerous sources;
• well integrated, standard tools;
• reasonable ease of implementation effort

Disadvantages:

• gaps in specific capabilities
• relatively costly - not competitive versus market leaders

Pervasive Software

Advantages:

• many customers, years of experience, solid applications and support;
• good use of metadata
• upgrade from older versions into newer is straightforward.

Disadvantages:

• inconsistency in defining the target for their applications;
• no federation capability;
• limitated presence due to poor marketing.

Open Text

Advantages

• Simplicity of use in less-structured sources
• Easy licensing for business solutions
• cooperates with a wide range of sources and targets
• increasingly high functionality

Disadvantages:

• limited federation, replication and data quality support; rare upgrades due to its simplicity;
• weak real-time support due to use third party solutions and other database utilities.

Pitney Bowes Software

Advantages:

• Data Flow concentrates on data integrity and quality;
• supports mainly ETL patterns; can be used for other purposes too;
• ease of use, fast implementation, specific ETL functionality.

Disadvantages:

• rare competition with other major companies, repeated rebranding trigger suspicions among customers.
• narrow vision of possibilities even though Data Flow comes with variety of applications.
• weak support, unexperienced service.