Adverity vs. Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)

Adverity is particularly useful if there is a large range of data sets that you want to combine to get an 'overall' view. Previously we had used Google Analytics, but found that this was too useful for our big client accounts that we were working on. So I think that if there is an individual who is responsible for analytics or data, and also a paid media team then this is a tool which is essential. For companies that have limited activity then I think this tool could potentially over-complicate for less reward.

Incentivized

I have only been using Astera Centerprise for about 6 months and I am still learning the ins and out of it. A scenario where it seems to do well is in generating reports from SQL queries that we already had and no longer have to run the reports manually. The SQL Query Source object has been the most useful tool for me thus far. I have yet to fully stress test the server side of Astera Centerprise, but currently there have been some version updates that required me to re-set up all the scheduled jobs that we have. We only have 8 jobs thus far but have plans to expand this into the hundreds and those same updates would require exponential amounts of work.

Incentivized

• User-friendly report setup and ingestion
• Easy integration with multiple data endpoints, making it easy for users to drive value
• Incredible customer support, allowing users (regardless of technical background) to act like power-users

Incentivized

• API integrations vis REST Web Service transformation
• Stored Procedure integration via SQL statement Lookup transformation
• Bulk imports and exports to and from tables
• Data dumps from SQL tables to excel, csv, text files etc...
• EDI Integrations like 810, 856, 940, 945 etc.. via Astera Centerprise Data Integrator plus EDI Connect

• I think it would have been more user friendly if there was more labelling capabilities, so that when you are sharing the dashboard they would explain what the data is - rather than depending on someone knowing how to use the dashboards or being there to explain it.
• Our teams found that some of the scheduling functionality could be a little big buggy, so this was something that needed extra care and attention, so therefore may be an area that needs to be improved (unless it was just our account and usage).

Incentivized

• When purchasing Astera Centerprise you are given options on how you would like to be trained and each option comes with a different price tag. We chose to be trained using online meetings over several days. The training went too fast and it was not always easy to understand until I started using the product.
• I am a person that wants to learn how and why something works so that I can use the knowledge in the future. When contacting the support team they take the problem, create a solution for you and send it back. The solutions always work, but when I get the solution I have to review every field and function to understand how it works so that I can re-create it for another solution I need. I would much rather have the support team explain what I had done incorrectly and what they changed or I would like to find a solution with them instead of having it handed to me.
• Astera uses license keys to allow their customers rights to only the functionality that was purchased. Each user and server has its own key and each key is only good for one year. There have been 2 different times that we received keys that had less functionality that we purchased. It wasn't until it created problems that we noticed and had to request new keys. This year our sales representative made sure she was available when we updated our keys so that if there was a problem she could fix it right away; however, there were not issues this year. I believe this is something they pay closer attention to now.

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.

Centerprise is highly usable; however the version we are currently using could be a little more intuitive in some areas though by no means unworkable. I think some of the issues we have have been addressed and solved in the latest version.

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

Frankly, the service, UI, and ease-of-use for Adverity made it a no brainer compared to competiton.

Incentivized

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.

I was helping on purchase this product but I am not sure about the term and pricing for it. But based on what I understand that the term of the licenses are good.

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

Centerprise is very easy to use and can transfer the data quickly

Incentivized

• This tool has allowed us to be able to see areas for opportunities, when all of the data has been combined
• We were also able to better prioritise actions and where to focus our attention, when we had one view where all of the data was together. This allowed us to deliver better results for our clients, and also have a clearer roadmap of activity

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.