BMC AMI Data solutions leverage automation powered by AI and machine learning to provide data management that enables 24x7 availability, fosters greater resiliency, and drives the agility needed to support the customer experience. The product is available in editions for IBM products Db2 or for IMS.
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Toad Database Developer Tools
Score 8.0 out of 10
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Toad by Quest is a database management toolset that database developers, administrators and data analysts use to simplify workflows, create code free from defects, automate frequent or repetitive processes, and minimize risks. Editions include Toad for Oracle, which automates administration tasks and helps proactively manage databases while embracing performance optimization and risk mitigation. Similar editions exist for IBM DB2, SQL Server, SAP, or MySQL and Postgres environments (Toad Edge).
BMC AMI Data mainframe products are well suited to mature mainframe environments staffed by experienced IT professionals who know and understand the database environments they're operating in. Those same products are less suited environments with staff whose primary experiences are with distributed platforms where there's less hands on work and a reliance on 'point and click' tools.
Well suited for development of stored procedures, packages, running scripts, and each and every DBA operation. Not very well suited for quick and simple querying. Toad seems to be overkill for simple things. Also, it's not very well suited for non-Oracle developers, who might be scared of by the endless amounts of options, tools and windows that Toad offers.
I appreciate the library feature that enables me to label and store previously created statements. These are saved off to a network share for future use.
I also really like the describe function that lists all fields in a table. This helps as I build new queries.
I wish I was better at using the tuning function. I have seen others use it and am very impressed with the graphical depiction of query costing.
The only thing that I can say about BMC AMI tools that is even remotely negative is their cost. I've been involved at several companies over the years with converting from BMC products to those of competitors and there's never been an issue with the tools themselves, just their costs.
The date/time settings in Toad are kind of difficult to figure out. I have to use an ALTER SESSION command to format the dates so I can actually query date/time fields.
It seems to be updated too often. I get notifications very frequently about new versions being available.
I give is an 8 because nothing is a 10 and there is always room for improvement. I believe the user who is not as technologically inclined would be better suited with an easier way to identify the options for setting the layout up for Toad's GUI. To some it is very cumbersome and confusing.
I give the overall support for Toad for Oracle a 10/10. This is because whenever there has been an issue with this software, our team has got an immediate response. The same can not be said for similar software. The most recent example of this is when we needed to renew our licenses. Some employees were unable to log in to code with the given license key. Support was able to resolve the issue quickly.
It is not my choice, management do. And I was very happy because i used BMC suite for almost 25 years, so a deep knowledge, helps in doing stuff. I used Broadcom in 2 shops, but for very short periods.
We didn't make a decision of choosing one and dropping the other. Our database guys have their own preference of tools. Since SQL Developer is a free-to-use tool and light weighted tool, we used it for education materials. For those who need advanced functions, database administrators for example, we bought an enterprise license of Toad and distributed them to developers. For enterprise level of analytics running Oracle based databases, I believe SQL Developer and Toad are two basics and safe choice to start with, unless one has very particular need (or preference).
Quick and easy query development helps reduce man-hours in a project which converts to real dollars.
Query analysis and tuning result in low database overhead and low latency, thus translating into real dollars because a system can thus handle more requests from customers.
Ease of use makes it easy to deploy greenhorns in projects with minimal training, thus helping save money. Otherwise menial and simple jobs would have required experienced DBAs.
