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Layer2 Cloud Connector vs. SolarWinds Task Factory

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Layer2 Cloud Connector

    Score7 out of 10
    N/AThe 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

    Score8.3 out of 10
    N/AAccording 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
    Features
    Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
    Data Source Connection
    Comparison of Data Source Connection features of Layer2 Cloud Connector and SolarWinds Task Factory
    Feature
    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 Layer2 Cloud Connector and SolarWinds Task Factory
    Feature
    Layer2 Cloud Connector
    5.5
    1 Ratings
    39% below category average
    SolarWinds Task Factory
    9.2
    39 Ratings
    12% above category average
    Simple transformations4.01 Ratings8.739 Ratings
    Complex transformations7.01 Ratings9.635 Ratings
    Data Governance
    Comparison of Data Governance features of Layer2 Cloud Connector and SolarWinds Task Factory
    Feature
    Layer2 Cloud Connector
    6.5
    1 Ratings
    22% below category average
    SolarWinds Task Factory
    9.4
    3 Ratings
    15% above category average
    Integration with data quality tools6.01 Ratings9.22 Ratings
    Integration with MDM tools7.01 Ratings9.63 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
    Small Businesses
    Skyvia
    Score10 out of 10
    Skyvia
    Score10 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    IBM InfoSphere Information Server
    Score10 out of 10
    IBM InfoSphere Information Server
    Score10 out of 10
    Enterprises
    SolarWinds Task Factory
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise)
    Score8.7 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Layer2 Cloud ConnectorSolarWinds Task Factory
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.1
    (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.
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    SolarWinds Task Factory Screenshots

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