Item: Beyond Compare
Rating: 9
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I utilize Beyond Compare for validation purposes - specifically our source systems’ data feed in comparison with the actual data stored within our data warehouse. This software offers a rudimentary solution for data comparison.

Pros and Cons

Ease of use - simply utilize standard folders to select each of the files to utilize for comparison.
Once files are selected the software does the work - cross checking equivalent rows between the two files
Highlights errors in red to easily troubleshoot discrepancies in the files

For date formatting discrepancies the software does not automatically mark the dates as equivalent; for instance ‘2019/10/15’ vs. ‘15-OCT-2019’. This would be considered a difference.
The columns/report must be ordered similarly. If extra data is available in one file, it should be removed or extra rows will be marked as differences.
For spreadsheet comparison, the user must save the file on the proper tab and then “recompare” within the tool. There is no way to switch between sheets in the software.

Return on Investment

A positive impact is the very quick result set for files that are configured in the same manner (just select the files and get your results).
A positive is this software is not licensed based.
A negative is the overhead of editing fields such as dates to be equivalent.

Alternatives Considered

I utilize Microsoft Excel to create a custom data comparison tool that can handle date formatting and check derived fields. We also have an in house tool, called GIT, that really mirrors the beyond compare technology- I have personally stuck with Beyond Compare instead of GIT.

Support Rating

I have never utilized support for this product so I am not certain of the support reliability.

Key Insights

Do you think Beyond Compare delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Beyond Compare's feature set?

Yes

Did Beyond Compare live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Beyond Compare go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Beyond Compare again?

Yes

Likelihood to Recommend

For very rudimentary data validation or if files/data is expected to match 100% or close to that (such as regression testing), this tool is helpful.

Beyond Compare - Easy to use for a quick check!

Overall Satisfaction with Beyond Compare