Likelihood to Recommend 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.
Read full review When data is in a system that needs a complex transformation to be usable for an average user. Such tasks as data residing in systems that have very different connection speeds. It can be integrated and used together after passing through the SAS Data Integration Studio removing timing issues from the users' worries. A part that is perhaps less appropriate is getting users who are not familiar with the source data to set up the load processes.
Read full review Pros 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. Rajarshi Maitra Director/Client Engagement Leader- P&C Insurance (Digital Transformation)
Read full review SAS/Access is great for manipulating large and complex databases. SAS/Access makes it easy to format reports and graphics from your data. Data Management and data storage using the Hadoop environment in SAS/Access allows for rapid analysis and simple programming language for all your data needs. Read full review Cons 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. Read full review Requires third-party drivers to connect to common data sources like SFDC, MS SQL, Postgres. Debugging errors from the logs is a complicated process. E-mail alert system is very primitive and needs customization to make it more modern, Cannot send SMS alerts for jobs. Read full review Likelihood to Renew We are happy with the software and its functionality. As a SAS-shop, DataFlux is a logical choice for complex data integration.
Read full review Usability The main negative point is the use of a non-standard language for customizations, as well as the poor integration with non-SAS systems. However, there is no doubt that it is a high-performance and powerful product capable of responding optimally to certain requirements.
Read full review Performance It worked as expected.
Read full review Support Rating 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
Read full review With SAS, you pay a license fee annually to use this product. Support is incredible. You get what you pay for, whether it's SAS forums on the SAS support site, technical support tickets via email or phone calls, or example documentation. It's not open source. It's documented thoroughly, and it works.
Read full review Alternatives Considered 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.
Read full review Because of ease of using SAS DI and data processing speed. There were lots of issues with AWS Redshift on cloud environment in terms of making connections with the data sources and while fetching the data we need to write complex queries.
Read full review Return on Investment It is very useful and make things easier Debugging can improve Its better suited than other products with the same objective Read full review We have more users who can connect to the many different data sources. Our users do have existing SAS programming knowledge and that can carry over. Business functions are starting to rely on SAS Data Integration Studio work product shortly after introduction. Read full review ScreenShots