Layer2 Cloud Connector vs. SolarWinds Task Factory

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Layer2 Cloud Connector
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
The Layer2 Cloud Connector can integrate data and sync documents between 100+ corporate data sources without programming. It is used to connect services and apps on-premises or cloud-based, such as Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Dynamics, Azure, SQL/ERP/CRM, and more for migration, backup, or permanent two-way synchronization.
$491
per installation
SolarWinds Task Factory
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
According to the vendor, SolarWinds Task Factory saves time managing tedious ELT/ETL tasks with high-performing SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) components that can be used within the Visual Studio environment to connect to nearly any data source. Task Factory’s components and tasks have been optimized to ensure fast performance of data-centric applications, and the user can run Task Factory…N/A
Pricing
Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
Editions & Modules
Personal Edition
$491.00
per installation
Professional Edition
$1226.00
per installation
Task Factory
1,245 (annual subscription license)
per server
Task Factory Azure Data Factory
1,495 (annual subscription license)
per ADF node
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup Fee$185 Setup SupportNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
Data Source Connection
Comparison of Data Source Connection features of Product A and Product B
Layer2 Cloud Connector
6.0
1 Ratings
33% below category average
SolarWinds Task Factory
9.4
40 Ratings
12% above category average
Connect to traditional data sources6.01 Ratings9.440 Ratings
Data Transformations
Comparison of Data Transformations features of Product A and Product B
Layer2 Cloud Connector
5.5
1 Ratings
40% below category average
SolarWinds Task Factory
9.1
39 Ratings
10% above category average
Simple transformations4.01 Ratings8.739 Ratings
Complex transformations7.01 Ratings9.635 Ratings
Data Governance
Comparison of Data Governance features of Product A and Product B
Layer2 Cloud Connector
6.5
1 Ratings
25% below category average
SolarWinds Task Factory
9.4
3 Ratings
12% above category average
Integration with data quality tools6.01 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Integration with MDM tools7.01 Ratings9.63 Ratings
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Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
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Score 8.1 out of 10
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User Ratings
Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(1 ratings)
8.2
(40 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(3 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
Likelihood to Recommend
Layer 2 GmbH
We had a scenario where our clients have thousands of external party vendors/committees who regularly sync SharePoint data. Managing thousands of external parties can never be possible without using a Layer2 cloud connector. We managed the local network sharing and SharePoint integration by using the Layer2 connector. Layer2 is convenient with a large amount of data as the per-user license is high.
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SolarWinds
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.
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Pros
Layer 2 GmbH
  • Layer2 provides best connectivity with SharePoint
  • It syncs local network shared files to the SharePoint
  • Provides details file history
Read full review
SolarWinds
  • 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.
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Cons
Layer 2 GmbH
  • Per User cost is expensive
  • A lot of pre-requisites
  • UI needs to be more user-friendly
Read full review
SolarWinds
  • 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.
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Likelihood to Renew
Layer 2 GmbH
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
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
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Usability
Layer 2 GmbH
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
Compared to some of the other transformations I have worked with, it really is pretty simple for the type of functionality you get
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Support Rating
Layer 2 GmbH
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
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.
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Implementation Rating
Layer 2 GmbH
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
Overall it went smoothly. Had a couple of gotchas with licensing and upgrading but nothing that really stopped us.
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Alternatives Considered
Layer 2 GmbH
We had also used Microsoft One Drive as a syncing tool but it requires Office365 for managing and syncing data across thousands of vendors which was not practically possible to manage users on Office 365. Layer2 resolved this issue by having 3 user licenses and they are enough to periodically sync all external parties' data with our SharePoint online.
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SolarWinds
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.
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Return on Investment
Layer 2 GmbH
  • Layer2 resolves the time management issue
  • Resolved data syncing issues across different external vendors
  • LOE optimisation with using Layer2 connector.
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SolarWinds
  • 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.
Read full review
ScreenShots

SolarWinds Task Factory Screenshots

Screenshot of Salesforce.com SourceScreenshot of Dimension Merge SCD TransformScreenshot of Upsert DestinationScreenshot of REST Source