DbVisualizer vs. SolarWinds Task Factory

Whenever you have to access data sources from more than one database engine provider, you should consider using DbVisualizer for the task. Switching between multiples IDE consumes time and resources (memory), and you also need to learn menus, shortcuts, etc., for each IDE, while using DbVisualizer allows you to work consistently no matter which database engine you are connecting. You can use it to simply navigate through data structures, write SQL sentences or even create new tables and views, develop stored procedures, etc.

Incentivized

Since I started working with this great tool all data analysis programs have been running effectively. Implementation of projects and tasks have been effective and reliable. Data collected from each department gives us working plan on better management of various programs. The Dimension Merge SCD Transform helps us to load large volumes of data within a short period of time.

Incentivized

• Timed queries that add their result to the result grid for every execution are helpful. Creation of graphs also extremely helpful.
• Query history and auto-recover feature makes sure we don't lose our queries.
• Actions like exporting grids to Excel or other tools is a very easy task.

Incentivized

• The single most beneficial component to Task Factory is the Upsert component. If you're familiar with writing MERGE statements in T-SQL, you'll appreciate the Upsert component. Drag the component into your Data Flow and a few clicks later you have a MERGE without the code complexities.
• Where some native SSIS components leave you wanting more, Task Factory extends on many of these components as well as support for data sources not native to SSIS components.
• The number of extra components that come in the Task Factory tool kit will expand your tool belt to do just about anything you need or want to accomplish in SSIS.

Incentivized

• does not handle lost connections well (specially after stopping a running query) (mysql). eg. after hitting stop, and then hitting run again, it can sometimes look like its running the query, but it isn't actually!
• filtering on databases window is clunky (why the need for filtering certain object types at a time? just filter everything, google style)
• altering table, adding columns (NOT to the end of the table's columns, but earlier) is not supported (mysql) even though the db supports it (alter table add column BEFORE..)

Incentivized

• It was built by Pragmatic Works who sold it to SentryOne and now Solar Winds, concerned about future support. SolarWinds is discontinuing support for related products such as BiXpress.
• Had issues with connecting to certain versions of SQL Server - would fail when deploying one package - had to deploy the entire solutions.
• Occasional random failures observed with the Filter tranform.

Incentivized

We never had problems with it. It is able to connect to all data sources (Oracle, Informix, DB2, SQL Server) that we currently use.

Incentivized

Task Factory has become a key product for our use of doing ETL work in SSIS. Their custom SSIS components allow us to work simply on the data engineering side of things. We can ignore the lower level work needed to connect to disparate data sources. This allows us to work faster and provide more value to the business

Incentivized

Menus are simple and well organized. You can use the same shortcuts no matter which database engine you are connecting to. Configuration of data source connections is simple while keeping all required options.

Incentivized

Compared to some of the other transformations I have worked with, it really is pretty simple for the type of functionality you get

Incentivized

Overall, the best vendor we currently have on the data side of the house. No issues, issues are resolved very quickly and upgrades go without any issues.

Incentivized

Overall it went smoothly. Had a couple of gotchas with licensing and upgrading but nothing that really stopped us.

Incentivized

DbVisualizer provides a good value when compared against other 3rd party products with similar features as well as products with similar functionality made by the database vendors. The user interface is good and user friendly / intuitive and easy to learn. It doesn't take too long for an experienced DBA / database developer to come up to speed.

ZappySys is an alternative provider that we tested. However, we found the ease of use, set up and installation to be much simplier and quicker using Task Factory. ZappySys has a number of the same connectors but are more difficult to setup and the GUI is not as intuitive and simple to use.

Incentivized

• The institution is of the governmental type, therefore we do not measure the commercial impact of using this tool
• The impact on the benefit of the population is always positive with tools that streamline our processes, and DbVisualizer is one of the best

Incentivized

• We were able to support our developers with Task Factory features and reduce the development time by 40%.
• Recently Task Factory has changed their pricing module and it seems to be pretty costly for our process. Our business team has started to evaluate whether this is worth it going forward.

Incentivized