Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise) vs. Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)

Astera Centerprise is specific to EDI files. From what I've seen it can be used on EDI files across multiple industries. We use it specifically for healthcare EDI files. We do not create any files using this software because we do not have that need at CCHP, but I know the software could be used for that. CCHP uses the software to correct EDI errors and to import EDI data to our SQL data warehouse. EDI files have a layered structure so they need to be broken down in order to be loaded into the data warehouse. Without this tool we would not be able to import the files. Also, with the layered structure, fields, segments, dependencies and hierarchy, making changes manually is both risky and time consuming. Centerprise reduces the amount of time used to correct files and removes the possibility of creating other errors.

I tried various ETL tools and here is [where and] why I recommend Oracle Data Integrator. 1. When you want to process structured data from different databases - Teradata, Exadata, DB2, SQL, Oracle etc. 2. Oracle Data Integrator supports all platforms, hardware, and OS. This is a major advantage compared to other leading tools. 3. The ELT architecture giving a cutting edge performance over leading ETL tools. There is no need to align Oracle Data Integrator between source and target. ODI uses the source and target servers to perform complex transformations. 4. Speeds up the development and maintenance by reducing the code that developers need to write

Incentivized

• Allows for integration of custom functions.
• Allows us to easily migrate data to and from any data source. Our department has become the go-to for automated data extracts.
• We use emails from jobs we run in Centerprise to ensure all jobs run successfully.

• Converts data from various sources into one target format using various business logic rules and integrates with various DBMS types.
• Transformed data from DB2, SQL Server and other Oracle databases into flat files and then used ETL jobs to load into Oracle DB target
• Data Integrator and Goldengate were used together to accomplish the data movement needed for business and data consolidation in live environment. Data Integrator helped with development and in reducing lead time to convert data into target.

Incentivized

• We have several support calls that have been labeled as to be done in the future. One is the reading of the File Definition in AcuCobol with the sign trailing in a numeric field. The handling of this would help us in several areas but we have been able to develop a work around at this point.
• Some of the child/overlap configuration for the "RMD" seems awkward.

• Oracle support is not the best when needing help with the system
• The documentation is also very poor and takes very long to generate
• Some parts of it are not intuitive to use and get hard to troubleshoot
• Like other Oracle products, you must have very, very thorough knowledge about their systems to understand
• Like all Oracle products, cost is high

Incentivized

We've been using Astera Centerprise application for the last 6 years and we've already added EDI connect to it. Both applications are working really well for our enterprise needs so far with no issues, so we'll continue renewing the licenses.

It is maturing and over time will have a good pool of resources. Each new version has addressed the issues of the previous ones. Its getting better and bigger.

It's very intuitive and visually descriptive. The interface is standard windows drag and drop although cut and paste are not universally available depending upon what function you're trying to do. You see the ETL and what it's doing. You can inspect the data elements the transformations and perform data previews incrementally along the data flow. You actually SEE what the results are and you can make adjustments without black box testing

In most cases Astera is stable. However, our client experiences the error from time to time. Mostly they are related to cdc file and ServerAdminConfig.xml file.

Incentivized

I think the performance for Astera is great when compare with other similar software.

Incentivized

Support is great! No matter if you need technical assistance or you have general questions about the tool - the support is very responsive and provides solutions quickly. They are available via various channels, which makes it very convenient to get in touch with them (Support portal, direct email contact, LinkedIn).

Incentivized

Astera support provided us implementation/installation tutorial and we were able to perform all the activities. Also one of the support was there to shadow us to make sure the process was smooth with no issues

We looked at continuing to use SSIS as an alternative. Although we own SSIS as part of our SQL licensing, we found that it takes a much higher skill level to create solutions. It also does not have the ability to parse unstructured data the way that Centerprise Data Integrator can. We also looked at Datawatch Monarch as a possibility but found it over-all to be cost-prohibitive. We also looked at a cheaper alternative called SimX but did not have a strong confidence in the product as we evaluated it. We landed on Centerprise Data Integrator as it met all of our business requirements and we know we could leverage it for many uses across our enterprise.

Talend Data Integrator has been evaluated during the setup of the architecture for a customer, in comparison to ODI, since it's an open source ETL. But, differently from the meaning of "open source", it has licence costs too that aren't that different from ODI ones. Moreover, the other components of the business intelligence architecture of the customer were Oracle, so we thought that ODI would suit at best with them, more than a different vendor software.

Incentivized

I think Astera can do multiple things. However, we are not sure what it can do. We only know the basic features. If they can give us some kind of training, then we maybe able to benefit for it. We are planning to use their Azure connection in the future. If they can provide the training for it, it will be wonderful.

Incentivized

• It is tough to say on how Centerprise would have helped us with ROI. Unfortunately our project (after 3 years) was scrapped (put on hold) due to the impromptu purchase of another Crop Insurance company. But with that, Centerprise was huge in getting our warehouse loaded for our BI Team to make important decisions about our policies.

• Oracle Data Integrator helps provide a business with the data it needs to defend the decisions it makes.
• Oracle Data Integrator allows you to analyze data from what can be separate, different, and often outdated data sources. It allows you to make direct comparisons when analyzing data from different pieces of equipment.
• Data from Oracle Data Integrator was used to analyze manufacturing quality and drive down spoilage, saving the company money.

Incentivized