Item: Astra DB
Rating: 10
Author: Alejandro Diaz

Overall Satisfaction with Astra DB

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Astra DB for storing big chunks of data. Previously, we were storing this data as files and need to keep local copies when the data was modified or updated. By using this product, we were able to reduce the amount of usage of our cloud storage system. It also gives us the capability to keep track of the most recent generated data and allows us to prevent files from being accidentally overwritten, thus losing previously generated information.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy to use with python
Good online support
Good documentation

Cons

Installing the python driver faster
Better interface for connecting the different tables from the DB form the website
Easy way to monitor the status and health of the DB

Return on Investment

It provides us scalability
For small business or startups the free version meets the reading/writing operations
Reachable

Developer Experience

When I started using Astra DB, I did not have much knowledge regarding the use of databases, their management, and implementation in real cases. However, the good documentation they have allowed my learning curve to be quite fast. Also, the fact that their support team has immediate attention as a developer helps me a lot when I find issues that I can't overcome.

Scalability

The scalability is straightforward. The way to implement the service they provide is easy based on the well structured documentation they created. Also, thinking on the developer side, they have enable drivers out of the box easy to use to connect to the DB that adapt to the flavors of programming languages that are most used.

Alternatives Considered

PostgreSQL and Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

It's not possible to make a straightforward comparison between the other DB and Astra, mainly because Astra is based more in providing a service for managing larger chunks of data than a RDS. However, what I can say is that the configuration therefore implementation of Astra is 10 times more easier. There is no need to be an expert in databases to configure it and start playing around with it. While for the others it requires a little bit more of theoretical knowledge.

Key Insights

Do you think Astra DB delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with Astra DB's feature set?

Yes

Did Astra DB live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Astra DB go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Astra DB again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Python IDLE, Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)

Likelihood to Recommend

For implementing timeseries generated data with python scripts, for example, data generated by sensors in case the data is generated in a low-frequency example making a post every 0.5 seconds or so. When the data is generated in a higher frequency sometimes the connection can fail, and the data might not be stored correctly into the DB.

Astra DB Support

Support Rating

Their response time is fast, in case you do not contact them during business hours, they give a very good follow-up to your case. They also facilitate video calls if necessary for debugging.

Astra DB Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response	Problems left unsolved

Premium Support

No, given the conditions of my company with the basic support, it was more than enough to overcome the issues found.

Exceptional Examples of Astra DB Support

I was having problems connecting to my database, which led to sometimes my data not being successfully stored in the DB. One of the support agents followed up on my case very well, including video call meetings to fix the problem.

Astra DB makes my job easier