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HCL DataConnect

Score6 out of 10

19 Reviews and Ratings

What is HCL DataConnect?

HCL DataConnect (formerly Actian DataConnect) is a hybrid integration solution that enables users to integrate anything, anywhere, anytime. It can be deployed in on-premise, cloud, and/or hybrid environments and offers quick onboarding. With its emphasis data quality, data reuse, adaptability and self-service integration, DataConnect is designed to support rapid onboarding and deliver the fast time to value.

Media

DataConnect is a hybrid integration solution used to design, deploy, and manage integrations on premise, in the cloud or in hybrid environments with no limits on data types or volumes.
Actian DataConnect is a versatile hybrid integration platform that supports a wide range of use cases in every industry.
DataConnect helps service delivery teams (e.g. SaaS ProServ team, Systems Integrator) rapidly  onboard and maintain application integrations across their customer base.
DataConnect helps organizations onboard master data from their customers as part of the customer onboarding and maintenance process.
DataConnect helps an enterprise or service provider exchange EDI data with their supply chain, customer network, or partner network.
Actian DataConnect

1 / 6

Top Performing Features

  • Simple transformations

    Simple data transformations are calculations, data type conversions, aggregations and search and replace operations

    Category average: 8.1

  • Data model creation

    Ability to create and maintain data models using a graphical tool to define relationships between data

    Category average: 8.4

  • Metadata management

    Automated discovery of metadata with ability to synchronize and share metadata with other tools like Master Data Management

    Category average: 7.9

Areas for Improvement

  • Collaboration

    Collaboration is enabled by a shared repository of project information and metadata

    Category average: 7.2

  • Connecto to Big Data and NoSQL

    Ability to connect to non-traditional data sources like Hadoop and other big data technologies, and NoSQL databases

    Category average: 7.7

  • Integration with data quality tools

    Integration with tools for cleansing, parsing and normalizing data according to business rules

    Category average: 7.9

Why Actian DataConnect goes head to Head with the Big Boys

Pros

  • The large connector base for DataConnect is outstanding. However even when they do not have a custom connector, they have a web services Invoker which allows you to connect to any web services.
  • The underlying scripting language is Visual Basic-ish. Very easy to start.
  • The product has been around a long time, through multiple company acquistions, and still is a competitive player via pricing.
  • Support team is awesome.
  • Large user community.

Cons

  • Integration Manager needs better scheduling improvements. Like dependencies, and not running a process again if the prior run is still running.
  • New connector development does not seem a priority.

Return on Investment

  • Our customer likes the consistent reliable integrations we have built so we [got] a definite return on investment.
  • Problems are fairly easy to handle and rework.

Alternatives Considered

Boomi

Other Software Used

Oracle Sales Cloud, Oracle CRM On Demand, Oracle Content Marketing (Compendium), Oracle Social Relationship Management (SRM), Boomi, Box

Data Integrator - A worthy competitor to SSIS?

Pros

  • Map multiple source and destination tables - what would be done in many steps in SSIS can be done in one or two "maps" in Data Integrator.
  • Platform independent, cloud based, no client software.
  • Conversion of data types, write flat files - this helps us with integrating systems.
  • Fairly straightforward to use if the user has ETL experience.

Cons

  • Sometimes the screen does not load- since it is a web based software, this can be seen as a reliability issue.
  • "Maps" can become somewhat complex, and between multiple developers this can be painful when sharing or explaining others' work.
  • The concept of macros adds flexibility in how to solve problems, but is a separate language and can take time to learn and master.

Return on Investment

  • This tool was chosen prior to my arrival and was used to build three integrations. We have decided to switch to SSIS since we have licenses for it and it is a more common tool for ETL integrations.
  • It has been difficult to network with individuals that have experience with this tool.
  • Having been a part of a software package purchased, we have chosen to use a different tool for future integrations and plan to rewrite existing integrations.

Other Software Used

SQL Server Integration Services, SSIS Data Flow Components, Microsoft SQL Server, Tableau Desktop, Microsoft Power BI, Power BI For Office 365