Astera Data Pipeline Builder (Centerprise) vs. TIBCO Integration (including BusinessWorks and Flogo)

Astera Centerprise is specific to EDI files. From what I've seen it can be used on EDI files across multiple industries. We use it specifically for healthcare EDI files. We do not create any files using this software because we do not have that need at CCHP, but I know the software could be used for that. CCHP uses the software to correct EDI errors and to import EDI data to our SQL data warehouse. EDI files have a layered structure so they need to be broken down in order to be loaded into the data warehouse. Without this tool we would not be able to import the files. Also, with the layered structure, fields, segments, dependencies and hierarchy, making changes manually is both risky and time consuming. Centerprise reduces the amount of time used to correct files and removes the possibility of creating other errors.

Well suited for duplicating operational processes and transforming data. It's less suited for querying and updating medium to large datasets. It is possible our connection wasn't configured correctly, and the speed could be improved. However, it still takes a long time to update mass changes.

Incentivized

• Allows for integration of custom functions.
• Allows us to easily migrate data to and from any data source. Our department has become the go-to for automated data extracts.
• We use emails from jobs we run in Centerprise to ensure all jobs run successfully.

• Scribe can dependably map or sync data between systems. When you have different systems being used by many departments, this is the tool to keep the data in-sync!
• API's are widely used by many applications and companies. Tibco Cloud Integration allows companies to integrate data from an older ERP system with a newer system using an API.
• Tibco provides the flexibility for business users, developers and anyone in-between to understand where data is moving within their organization.
• One example of flexibility of the solution is easily manipulating data on the fly.

Incentivized

• We have several support calls that have been labeled as to be done in the future. One is the reading of the File Definition in AcuCobol with the sign trailing in a numeric field. The handling of this would help us in several areas but we have been able to develop a work around at this point.
• Some of the child/overlap configuration for the "RMD" seems awkward.

• Missing functionality: We like to run all the files available in the FTP when clicking the run button. Right now, we have to click the run button several times (or have multiple solutions) in order to run files from our FTP site one at a time.
• Generating column fields every time a file changes from the source in the FTP is very tedious. Working in integrations makes me have to go back and forth a lot of the time, and doing this is incredibly annoying.
• The security is horrendous. We installed an on-premise agent on the customer side, but we don't want them even touching the ETL tool at all. The only knowledge we are fine with knowing and being able to see is that they installed the agent, not the solutions themselves.
• Our company's connector would have to point to the dataset name rather than dataset ID. It was very frustrating because we change the dataset name a lot, and then we'd have to repoint it.
• It's very difficult to monitor the different integrations that go on because there isn't a consolidated dashboard.

Incentivized

We've been using Astera Centerprise application for the last 6 years and we've already added EDI connect to it. Both applications are working really well for our enterprise needs so far with no issues, so we'll continue renewing the licenses.

The project which required the Scribe tool has been cancelled due to business direction change. Unless another project requiring Scribe comes up, it will likely not be renewed. Companies are always looking for cost savings though and Scribe is less expensive than competitors, so you never know.

Incentivized

It's very intuitive and visually descriptive. The interface is standard windows drag and drop although cut and paste are not universally available depending upon what function you're trying to do. You see the ETL and what it's doing. You can inspect the data elements the transformations and perform data previews incrementally along the data flow. You actually SEE what the results are and you can make adjustments without black box testing

The maps are fairly straightforward to create and use. The logical expressions and other units in the mapmaking process are straightforward, functional and understandable. It makes life much easier when you know you can figure out a way to make an integration work because of the toolset and commands that are available.

Incentivized

In most cases Astera is stable. However, our client experiences the error from time to time. Mostly they are related to cdc file and ServerAdminConfig.xml file.

Incentivized

We have not had any issues with TIBCO not being available when needed. I have only had to contact support less than 5 times in about 5 year time frame due to syncing issues or a problem with the agent. Support is very quick to respond as well as very helpful.

Incentivized

I think the performance for Astera is great when compare with other similar software.

Incentivized

TIBCO Cloud Integration (including BusinessWorks and Scribe)'s performance of the user interface are not to be complained about. The user interface is swift and is a pleasant user experience. The replication jobs take some time to finish but that is because the number of records to be updated/created on a daily basis is quite big. I did split up the jobs between highrunners (entities with a lot of changes) I update on a daily basis and quite stable entities that I update weekly. That solved my issue of a way to long replication.

Incentivized

Support is great! No matter if you need technical assistance or you have general questions about the tool - the support is very responsive and provides solutions quickly. They are available via various channels, which makes it very convenient to get in touch with them (Support portal, direct email contact, LinkedIn).

Incentivized

For creating new process, you have lots of palettes to do every develop you need. For created process it is easy to understand even if you have ever seen before it. You can analyze your process in all their detail. User Experience is positive for beginner and expertise people. Just debug mode is still raw, but better in TIBCO BusinessWorks 6.x than TIBCO BusinessWorks 5.x .

Incentivized

Before using TIBCO Businessworks, I participated an official training with a specialized instructor. In this training, I learned what I needed to know to build some applications or web services and how to manage its. It was been very important to me. I understood many technical stuff to familiarize with this powerful platform. I can advice TIBCO Educational Services.

Incentivized

really good resources

Incentivized

Astera support provided us implementation/installation tutorial and we were able to perform all the activities. Also one of the support was there to shadow us to make sure the process was smooth with no issues

If we don't design the process correctly, it can do lot of damage (like deleting files or data etc.,) and might assume product issue rather than a design flaw. So it is always recommended to do thorough unit testing , QA and a design review even for a small process to avoid major problems.

Incentivized

We looked at continuing to use SSIS as an alternative. Although we own SSIS as part of our SQL licensing, we found that it takes a much higher skill level to create solutions. It also does not have the ability to parse unstructured data the way that Centerprise Data Integrator can. We also looked at Datawatch Monarch as a possibility but found it over-all to be cost-prohibitive. We also looked at a cheaper alternative called SimX but did not have a strong confidence in the product as we evaluated it. We landed on Centerprise Data Integrator as it met all of our business requirements and we know we could leverage it for many uses across our enterprise.

Provide technical support: Respond to customer inquiries and issues related to TIBCO software products via phone, email, or support tickets. Troubleshoot and resolve technical problems to ensure customer satisfaction. Testing and validation: Assist customers in testing and validating TIBCO integrations, configurations, and deployments. Problem diagnosis and resolution: Analyze and diagnose complex technical issues reported by customers. Collaborate with customers and internal teams to identify root causes and provide effective solutions.Continuous improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, and efficiency gains within the support function. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement enhancements and drive customer satisfaction.

Incentivized

I think Astera can do multiple things. However, we are not sure what it can do. We only know the basic features. If they can give us some kind of training, then we maybe able to benefit for it. We are planning to use their Azure connection in the future. If they can provide the training for it, it will be wonderful.

Incentivized

Rating is based on the features provided which are very good and useful. Scalability is very good and data workloads can be managed with less replication, lower costs, and greater agility making the overall use of the tool very smooth. So far experience is great, it is easy to understand and implement.

Incentivized

• It is tough to say on how Centerprise would have helped us with ROI. Unfortunately our project (after 3 years) was scrapped (put on hold) due to the impromptu purchase of another Crop Insurance company. But with that, Centerprise was huge in getting our warehouse loaded for our BI Team to make important decisions about our policies.

• Used TIBCO for migration of our data for our learning management system.
• TIBCO, succesful Content ,data migration(courses, classes, registrations, transcripts etc.) ,User migration(Internal users and Partner migration)and Report migration
• Integrations with different applications Workday,Single Sign-On,CertTracker,Okta,Partner contact sync and Questionmark is succesful.
• LOD: Learn on demand is a third party vendor application where all Virtual classes are delivered by the vendor application. Learning management system sends the class and registration events to learn on demand via real time web service call through TIBCO

Incentivized