Item: IBM DataStage
Rating: 9
Author: Herber Gonzalez

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

A few departments including IT department and Shadow IT groups within other departments in the company use the this tool at Office Depot. We recollect, load and transform data from multiple sources and applications including sales, inventory, financial information among others. Currently updating to the latest version of DataStage on the cloud and connecting to other cloud data-sources as well as data files and other types of data-sources.

Pros and Cons

Connect to multiple types of data-sources including Oracle, Teradata, Snowflake, SQl Server.
Powerful tool to load large volumes of data.
Transformation stages allow us to reduce the amount of code needed to create ETL scripts.
Allow us to synchronize and refresh data as much as needed.

Connector Stages to Snowflake on the cloud. We had some issues initially but since then had been corrected.
Accessing tool from a browser (zero foot-print). Currently we need to either install locally or connect to a server to do ETL work.
Diversify ways of authenticating users.

Return on Investment

Not directly related to ROI or cost figures. Only comment here is that IBM tools tend to be more costly than average ETL tools, but it depends on if the company is an IBM shop.
One positive aspect is the company has had not a need to switch ETL tool for years.
Upgrading to newer versions of the tool brings flexibility in the tool and up-to-date features in relation to other applications.

Alternatives Considered

Informatica Data Quality and Microsoft SQL Server

Currently not using any of the Informatica tools, so, I don't have a real way of comparing the tools. But comparison against Microsoft SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services) I'd say DataStage stacks favorably. DataStage is a powerful tool for ETL processes that integrates well with multiple data-sources and can handle high volumes of data. DataStage is also scalable and can be a more robust application when compared to SSIS.

Usability

Our development teams in the company can easily achieve and develop any ETL scripts that are needed to massage and move the data as needed. The company has also maintain this tool for a very long time making it automatic when it comes to ETL needs. We are currently trying to make DataStage our main and probably unique ETL tool

Support Rating

IBM offers different levels of support but in my experience being and IBM shop helps to get direct support from more knowledgeable technicians from IBM. Not sure on the cost of having this kind of support, but I know there's also general support and community blogs and websites on the Internet make it easy to troubleshoot issues whenever there's need for that.

Key Insights

Do you think IBM DataStage delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with IBM DataStage's feature set?

Yes

Did IBM DataStage live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of IBM DataStage go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy IBM DataStage again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Microsoft Access, SQL Server Integration Services, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), DB2

Likelihood to Recommend

DataStage is well suited for any size of company that's looking to move, transform, clean data and easily create data-warehouses that would help to make data ready to be presented for decision making. Data Stage would easily integrate with companies that use IBM DB2 as their main RDBMS.
A scenario where it less suited could be cost. I have noticed IBM tools tend to be a little more costly than average.

IBM DataStage is a nice ETL tool!

Overall Satisfaction with IBM InfoSphere DataStage