Item: Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)
Rating: 5
Author: Samir Patel, PMP

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Oracle Data Integrator is being used to move meta data from our repository that sits in SQL Server to the Hyperion Planning application. It is being utilized by our Finance department and it allows them to use the planning application efficiently to create budget and forecast information for the current year.

Pros and Cons

Has many different source and destination connectors
Manages workflow for data movement
Many options in the data transformation toolbox

Error handling is quite complicated
Very cumbersome user interface
Too much complexity makes easy jobs harder to maintain

Return on Investment

ODI has allowed us to move metadata more efficiently
Our data movement process has been error free for quite some time
Cost has been reduced thanks to bundled licensing with products like OBIEE

Alternatives Considered

SQL Server Integration Services

Oracle Data Integrator is a superior tool when dealing with Hyperion Planning and Essbase cubes and applications. The native connectors allow for easy data movement and transformations from one environment to the other. I do believe that Oracle Data Integrator is a very complex tool with a steep learning curve.

Other Software Used

Team Foundation Server, Solarwinds Database Performance Analyzer for SQL Server, Oracle BI Foundation Suite

Likelihood to Recommend

Oracle data integrator is best suited for Oracle Hyperion environments. When it comes to moving data to essbase and planning cubes, Oracle Data Integrator is the best tool for the job since the connectors are built in. SSIS for example is limited in this regard and could not accomplish the same task.

Oracle Data Integrator - Complex tool for Data Movement

Overall Satisfaction with Oracle Data Integrator