Astro by Astronomer vs. HCL DataConnect

Astronomer is well suited for workflow and dependency management for enterprise-level data lakes. It is not a product for data processing though. Different source systems can be integrated, it also provides powerful interfaces for alerting and monitoring. Easy to build DAGs, graphical UI, API support makes the product more user-friendly as well. Astronomer also does a great job on user training.

Incentivized

The choice to use Actian DataConnect really comes down to pricing and the type of integration project you are performing, specifically with the requirements, whether you want the integration to be on-premise or in the cloud, can you install agents on your servers etc. For integration tools it runs head to head with its competitors.

Incentivized

• Workflow management
• Wide availability of plugins
• Dependency management on upstream

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized

• More language agnostic
• Flexible fork and join capabilities
• Near real time UI updates in case of deployment of enhanced DAGs

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized

Astronomer is a fast, secure, scalable workload management solution. It provides world-class user training along with easy to interact support.

Incentivized

Data Integrator was initially a part of a package deal for us with our new Student Information System. It was chosen prior to my arrival at the institution. Since I discovered we have SQL Server licenses, we have decided to use SSIS instead since I have a background in the MSBI stack and SSIS appears to be more straightforward (process flow philosophy vs "map" philosophy.)

Incentivized

• It helps to build scalable, available and low maintenance workloads
• Integrated Alerts and notifications helps to detect load issues in the early stages
• Ensures meeting data SLAs

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized