Azure Data Factory vs. Devart Excel Add-ins

Well-suited Scenarios for Azure Data Factory (ADF): When an organization has data sources spread across on-premises databases and cloud storage solutions, I think Azure Data Factory is excellent for integrating these sources. Azure Data Factory's integration with Azure Databricks allows it to handle large-scale data transformations effectively, leveraging the power of distributed processing. For regular ETL or ELT processes that need to run at specific intervals (daily, weekly, etc.), I think Azure Data Factory's scheduling capabilities are very handy. Less Appropriate Scenarios for Azure Data Factory: Real-time Data Streaming - Azure Data Factory is primarily batch-oriented. Simple Data Copy Tasks - For straightforward data copy tasks without the need for transformation or complex workflows, in my opinion, using Azure Data Factory might be overkill; simpler tools or scripts could suffice. Advanced Data Science Workflows: While Azure Data Factory can handle data prep and transformation, in my experience, it's not designed for in-depth data science tasks. I think for advanced analytics, machine learning, or statistical modeling, integration with specialized tools would be necessary.

Incentivized

Devart Excel Add-ins is really good for data comparison of one database table against another database table. There are plenty of times where the business users need help understanding with their Power BI data models are not connecting correctly and I use this tool to break down the differences between the tables they are trying to connect.

Incentivized

• It allows copying data from various types of data sources like on-premise files, Azure Database, Excel, JSON, Azure Synapse, API, etc. to the desired destination.
• We can use linked service in multiple pipeline/data load.
• It also allows the running of SSIS & SSMS packages which makes it an easy-to-use ETL & ELT tool.

Incentivized

• Devart Excel Add-in supports connectivity with various databases - which really helps to customize and massage data.
• Since data is available in cloud, it is easily accessible everywhere.
• It can also be integrated with SSIS components making it possible to resolve complex problems.

Incentivized

• Limited source/sink (target) connectors depending on which area of Azure Data Factory you are using.
• Does not yet have parity with SSIS as far as the transforms available.

Incentivized

• The data pump feature breaks sometimes
• The profile usage monitoring is slow
• The event profiler is delayed

Incentivized

We have not had need to engage with Microsoft much on Azure Data Factory, but they have been responsive and helpful when needed. This being said, we have not had a major emergency or outage requiring their intervention. The score of seven is a representation that they have done well for now, but have not proved out their support for a significant issue

Incentivized

The easy integration with other Microsoft software as well as high processing speed, very flexible cost, and high level of security of Microsoft Azure products and services stack up against other similar products.

Incentivized

Devart Excel stacks up very well against its alternatives. It has significant advantages as it keeps getting an update. Features are very much suitable for smaller organizations. For larger organizations the features cannot be used directly because of the size of the company and more native requirements of IT software requirements.

Incentivized

• It is very useful and make things easier
• Debugging can improve
• Its better suited than other products with the same objective

Incentivized

• The data compare option saves our dev team a lot of time
• The documenter feature is nice to use for explaining table definitions
• The event profiler is great for usage metrics

Incentivized