Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise) vs. Control-M

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)
Score 8.9 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
Astera Data Pipeline Builder is a no-code solution for designing and automating data pipelines. It allows users to read and write data across various file formats, databases, and applications. Users can execute ETL and ELT pipelines manually, schedule automated reruns, or integrate them into broader data management processes.N/A
Control-M
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Control-M from BMC is a platform for integrating, automating, and orchestrating application and data workflows in production across complex hybrid technology ecosystems. It provides deep operational capabilities, delivering speed, scale, security, and governance.
$29,000
per year
Pricing
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)Control-M
Editions & Modules
Centerprise Enterprise
Contact rep
Lifetime License per Seat
On-Premise
Contact Sales
SaaS
Starting at $29,000
per year
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)Control-M
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional DetailsDiscounts are provided for 10 pack, 20 pack, 50 pack, and enterprise wide Centerprise Professional licenses.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)Control-M
Features
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)Control-M
Data Source Connection
Comparison of Data Source Connection features of Product A and Product B
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)
8.2
32 Ratings
0% below category average
Control-M
-
Ratings
Connect to traditional data sources9.032 Ratings00 Ratings
Connecto to Big Data and NoSQL7.31 Ratings00 Ratings
Data Transformations
Comparison of Data Transformations features of Product A and Product B
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)
7.0
33 Ratings
14% below category average
Control-M
-
Ratings
Simple transformations9.433 Ratings00 Ratings
Complex transformations4.731 Ratings00 Ratings
Data Modeling
Comparison of Data Modeling features of Product A and Product B
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)
7.1
31 Ratings
10% below category average
Control-M
-
Ratings
Data model creation9.420 Ratings00 Ratings
Business rules and workflow9.928 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration6.41 Ratings00 Ratings
Testing and debugging2.928 Ratings00 Ratings
Data Governance
Comparison of Data Governance features of Product A and Product B
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)
8.2
1 Ratings
3% above category average
Control-M
-
Ratings
Integration with data quality tools8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
Integration with MDM tools8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
Workload Automation
Comparison of Workload Automation features of Product A and Product B
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)
-
Ratings
Control-M
8.8
164 Ratings
5% above category average
Multi-platform scheduling00 Ratings9.5160 Ratings
Central monitoring00 Ratings9.3150 Ratings
Logging00 Ratings8.4154 Ratings
Alerts and notifications00 Ratings8.7154 Ratings
Analysis and visualization00 Ratings8.4148 Ratings
Application integration00 Ratings8.5149 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)Control-M
Small Businesses
Skyvia
Skyvia
Score 10.0 out of 10

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
IBM InfoSphere Information Server
IBM InfoSphere Information Server
Score 8.0 out of 10
Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow
Score 8.6 out of 10
Enterprises
IBM InfoSphere Information Server
IBM InfoSphere Information Server
Score 8.0 out of 10
Redwood RunMyJobs
Redwood RunMyJobs
Score 9.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)Control-M
Likelihood to Recommend
8.9
(46 ratings)
9.3
(165 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.2
(7 ratings)
9.4
(24 ratings)
Usability
7.3
(10 ratings)
9.1
(121 ratings)
Availability
9.0
(2 ratings)
8.9
(8 ratings)
Performance
8.5
(2 ratings)
9.0
(8 ratings)
Support Rating
8.4
(21 ratings)
8.9
(19 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.4
(3 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(6 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.2
(4 ratings)
9.3
(13 ratings)
Configurability
9.1
(1 ratings)
9.3
(9 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
7.4
(2 ratings)
8.1
(5 ratings)
Ease of integration
9.0
(2 ratings)
9.3
(7 ratings)
Product Scalability
7.6
(2 ratings)
9.1
(8 ratings)
Professional Services
8.3
(2 ratings)
9.1
(7 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
9.0
(2 ratings)
9.3
(9 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
9.0
(2 ratings)
9.1
(9 ratings)
User Testimonials
Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)Control-M
Likelihood to Recommend
Astera Software
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.
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BMC Software Inc.
Handling automation backend jobs helped avoid team and customer escalations. One hundred jobs are running behind the server, for which manual monitoring is ineffective. Therefore, automated scripts are used, which are run via Control-M Jobs. There is no restriction on job scheduling. I can schedule N number of jobs as per convenience and business needs.
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Pros
Astera Software
  • 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
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BMC Software Inc.
  • The way it handles dependencies wow. You can chain jobs across different systems like yore DJing in a data center
  • The calendar functionality, a chefs kiss. handles holidays time zones, exceptions...
  • The self service portal, how it lets non techie teams trigger and monitor their own jobs blowing something up or bothering IT every 5 minutes.
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Cons
Astera Software
  • 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.
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BMC Software Inc.
  • I haven't come across too many spots where I'm not happy with the product. Most of the shortfalls were in my knowledge of the product as opposed to the actual product. Currently we're having a little bit of an issue with the deployment of the software to the servers, but it's more of an "us" problem than a product problem. I can't really give any good examples of shortfalls of the product that I've found so far.
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Likelihood to Renew
Astera Software
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.
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BMC Software Inc.
It is one of the best solutions on the market, in terms of innovation, reliability and stability. Control-M provides security when used by the largest companies in Mexico such as banks, department stores and logistics. It has proven to be able to integrate with new technologies on the market and provide almost 100% availability, thanks to its automatic FailOver scheme.
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Usability
Astera Software
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.
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BMC Software Inc.
It has an excellent graphical user interface and robust functionalities, which any scheduling tool currently has in the current market. Strengthening security measures, such as role-based access control and encryption, is essential to protect sensitive data. Providing tools to optimize resource utilization and reduce costs would be valuable. Limited options for customizing the user interface can hinder productivity. Allowing users to tailor the interface to their needs would enhance the experience.
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Reliability and Availability
Astera Software
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.
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BMC Software Inc.
Secondary Instances: Control-M supports the installation of a secondary instance of the entire Control-M environment, Control-M/EM, or Control-M/Server.Automatic & Manual Failover: In case of a failure on the primary host, Control-M can automatically failover to the secondary host if using Oracle or MSSQL databases. Manual failover is also an option, enabling a controlled switch during planned maintenance.Fallback: After resolving the issue on the primary host, you can easily fall back to it, or even designate the secondary host as the new primary. Database Replication: For high availability, Control-M leverages database replication from the primary site to a disaster recovery site. While replication is essential, its implementation and maintenance are the user's responsibility.
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Performance
Astera Software
I think the performance for Astera is great when compare with other similar software.
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BMC Software Inc.
good page load times, efficient report completion, and minimal impact on integrated systems. Specifically, the well-designed GUI contributes to a positive user experience, and the platform's ability to automate various stages of the workflow, including Big Data processes, is highlighted as a key strength. Fast Page Loads: Control-M is reported to have a responsive user interface with fast page load times, allowing users to quickly navigate and manage their workflows
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Support Rating
Astera Software
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).
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BMC Software Inc.
Support is generally excellent. Getting lower priority ones resolved can take a while, but it's rare for something to have to be dumped in the "unfixable" bin. If you end up speaking to Houston or Tel Aviv, then you know you've got a "live one".
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In-Person Training
Astera Software
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
Very knowledgeable instructors provide a hands-on, collaborative learning experience and can interact directly with instructors to develop our Control-M skills. This format allows for immediate feedback, in-depth discussions, and tailored guidance, leading to a deeper understanding of Control-M concepts and practical application. Face-to-face interaction fosters higher engagement and a more dynamic learning environment.
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Online Training
Astera Software
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
Simple and easy to use web based, well paced. Available any time. All online courses are simple and easy to access and use. Very practical everyday use scenarios and solutions. Incorporates software simulations, learning games, and built-in assessments to enhance comprehension and engagement. Online subscriptions are regularly updated with the latest product information, ensuring users have access to the most current knowledge.
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Implementation Rating
Astera Software
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
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BMC Software Inc.
As HA we have depend on the external DB, why don't we have HA feasibility with embedded DB. As with external DB, there are performance issues and fine tuning the DB. As if its embedded DB, Control-M it self take care of the functionality.
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Alternatives Considered
Astera Software
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.
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BMC Software Inc.
Redwood RunMyJobs seemed impressive as well since it was also cross-platform, flexible, and versatile. However, we went with Control-M because it was less expensive and we were already using it on our mainframe environment. The distributed version of Control-M was much more user-friendly due to the GUI instead of the command-line interface used on the mainframe.
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Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Astera Software
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.
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BMC Software Inc.
While Control-M offers flexibility with usage-based and subscription-based pricing, some users might prefer more predictable, upfront costs, especially for large-scale deployments. A potential area for improvement could be offering more options for fixed-term contracts with predictable pricing based on factors like the number of agents or jobs, providing a clearer budget for long-term planning
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Scalability
Astera Software
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.
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BMC Software Inc.
awesome product.Control-M delivers advanced operational capabilities easily consumed by Dev, Ops, data teams, and lines of business.Control-M Workflow InsightsApplication and data workflow observability: Increased confidence that SLAs are being met for Control-M users and IT leadersComprehensive control and management capabilities: Enhanced dashboards and reporting with constant telemetry and intelligent analysis on executing workflowsSelf-service visibility: In-depth reporting to help teams work autonomously
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Professional Services
Astera Software
Centerprise is very easy to use and can transfer the data quickly
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BMC Software Inc.
Strengths: The vendor provided strong post-sales support, timely issue resolution, and effective onboarding. Their technical team was knowledgeable and responsive, ensuring smooth integration and minimal disruption. Training resources and documentation were comprehensive. Areas for Improvement: While overall service was excellent, occasional delays in advanced customization or escalations slightly impacted timelines. More proactive optimization suggestions could further enhance value.
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Return on Investment
Astera Software
  • 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.
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BMC Software Inc.
  • Control-M has improved service delivery times, reliability and quality of batch processing.
  • It has simplified the management of the operation and the use of the alert system has made it possible to act in a coordinated and efficient manner to solve problems.
  • The implementation of policies has made it possible to make greater use of Control-M and thus reduce development costs that are generated unnecessarily when the potential of the system is not considered.
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ScreenShots

Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise) Screenshots

Screenshot of Centerprise's data profiling feature, that ensures that only quality data is delivered to end users.Screenshot of a variety of write strategies available for workflows.Screenshot of the built-in scheduler used to automate most tasks. Triggers can be based on time, event or even a file or mail drop.Screenshot of the AI-powered mapping that allows users to automate the mapping process from source to destination. The tool also supports The Dynamic Layout/Template Mapping feature in Astera Centerprise that allows users to create a template dataflow that can be used to process multiple files and generate copies of the same dataflow, without changing the mapping links individually for each source dataset. Upon execution, Centerprise replaces the values dynamically and generates a new dataflow automatically for all source files.Screenshot of the two types of transformations supported by Astera Centerprise: record level and set level transformation. Record level transformations are used to create derived values by applying a Lookup, Function, or Expression to fields from a single record. Set level transformations, on the other hand, operate on a group of records and may result in the Joining, Reordering, Eliminating, or aggregating of records.