IBM InfoSphere Information Server vs SAP PowerDesigner comparison

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246 views|207 comparisons
100% willing to recommend
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499 views|308 comparisons
85% willing to recommend
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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between IBM InfoSphere Information Server and SAP PowerDesigner based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Metadata Management solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed IBM InfoSphere Information Server vs. SAP PowerDesigner Report (Updated: March 2024).
768,740 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"IBM InfoSphere Information Server is stable.""This solution is extremely flexible and scalable.""The integration with different technologies is the most valuable feature.""Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

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"The most valuable features of the solution are it's built very well, easy to use, and simple to describe freely what is needed in logical and physical data models.""The feature I found valuable in SAP PowerDesigner is extraction. I also like that my company hasn't faced any issues because of the clear documentation about SAP PowerDesigner.""It offers a lot of features in one solution. You would have to get multiple other products to bundle together all of the capabilities that you get in just this product.""The most valuable feature is the way you can extend it and customize it. With most modeling tools, you fit your modeling process to fit the tool. In PowerDesigner, you can make the tool fit the way you want to work.""SAP PowerDesigner is an excellent tool that does what I need it to do. What I like most about it is that it's stable, fast, and easy to understand.""This solution has good tools for big data, where you can manage large and complex databases.""The most valuable feature of SAP PowerDesigner is the testing of the models, it has the best function. Reverse engineering is very helpful too.""It's a stable system. It never crashes."

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Cons
"IBM InfoSphere Information Server should be more scalable. It should have the option to change the configuration to run on a single, non-multiple node, or multi-threading processing.""There are certain shortcomings in the cloud side of the solution, where improvements are required.""This solution would benefit from the engine being made more lightweight.""Their technical support needs improvement."

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"Checking-in models to the repository, especially when working remotely, is a slow process than can sometimes have problems with models being corrupted.""Not very intuitive or user-friendly.""This product does not have a good BPMN Modeler.""In the future, I would like to see data manipulation capability where you can actually write SQL queries and manipulate data from directly within the tool.""There are some minor things that could be easier. We're writing up procedures to bring all the modeling back into one group as this reduces delays in production.""One disadvantage of SAP PowerDesigner is that you cannot reverse engineer the ALTER statements, so that's an enhancement or area for improvement I'm looking forward to seeing from the SAP team in the future. That should directly reflect on the physical data models my company builds.""It would be helpful if there were glossary, catalog and governance tools. It would help make it a true end-to-end product.""The user interface could be more user-friendly."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The licensing cost of IBM InfoSphere Information Server depends on how many users there are."
  • More IBM InfoSphere Information Server Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The ROI has been 43%."
  • "PowerDesigner is not the cheapest solution on the market, so make sure that you are using it to its full potential."
  • "I bought the software outright and do not pay a licensing fee."
  • "SAP PowerDesigner is cheaper than eriwin."
  • "The price of the solution is too expensive. When we asked for certain licenses in different countries it was unattainable."
  • "I would like SAP to prove free licenses to professionals that are using the solution. The free version is limited."
  • "Regarding costs, SAP PowerDesigner is pricey, as I've heard from my team manager, which is why the company has been thinking of bringing another solution on board."
  • "The price of the solution is low."
  • More SAP PowerDesigner Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
    Top Answer:There are certain shortcomings in the cloud side of the solution, where improvements are required. In our company, we are presently in the process of doing a PoC phase since we have the solution… more »
    Top Answer:I use IBM InfoSphere Information Server in retail banking for transformation purposes.
    Top Answer:In PowerDesigner, I primarily use BPM and modeling standards. I find it beneficial for process analysis, although I use data modeling to a lesser extent.
    Top Answer:Regarding improvements, I suggest enhancing the connection between objects in process and data models. It's crucial to define the structure of objects, especially when dealing with standard frameworks… more »
    Ranking
    10th
    out of 27 in Metadata Management
    Views
    246
    Comparisons
    207
    Reviews
    2
    Average Words per Review
    373
    Rating
    7.5
    3rd
    out of 27 in Metadata Management
    Views
    499
    Comparisons
    308
    Reviews
    13
    Average Words per Review
    583
    Rating
    7.7
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    InfoSphere Information Server, IBM Information Server
    Sybase PowerDesigner
    Learn More
    IBM
    Video Not Available
    SAP
    Video Not Available
    Overview
    IBM InfoSphere Information Server is a market-leading data integration platform which includes a family of products that enable you to understand, cleanse, monitor, transform, and deliver data, as well as to collaborate to bridge the gap between business and IT. InfoSphere Information Server provides massively parallel processing (MPP) capabilities to deliver a highly scalable and flexible integration platform that handles a variety of data volumes (big, small, and everything in between).

    SAP PowerDesigner is a valuable solution for developing several different types of data models according to business process needs. Data models can be logical, conceptual, and physical, and can also include dimensional and relational models. PowerDesiger has the ability to integrate a designed business process model with the actual database design to ensure that all the data process steps are included in the logical model. PowerDesigner is able to use the physical model to create the actual database, and from there, design various physical iterations from a single logical model.

    PowerDesigner can perform excellent reverse-engineering of existing databases to create a model diagram. The solution integrates well with many of today's most recognized database management systems (DBMS). Some of the solution’s featured outputs include custom or standard reports of every object in the design (relationships, field, and tables), design impact analysis, and entity-relationship (ER) designs.

    PowerDesigner offers intuitive capabilities such as metadata management, link and sync, and data modeling. Users can instantly view architecture layers and essentials, access the robust metadata repository, and share findings with the user’s entire team.

    SAP PowerDesigner Features

    • Document Creation: Easily share documents to cultivate an environment of communication and collaboration with all stakeholders in a project. Users can even include non-modelers. Users can provide private, secure access to metadata using hyperlinked Web reporting and multi-model documents, and even use wizard-created lists.

    • Result Analysis: The solution helps merge all model types with an intuitive automated link-and-sync process. Users can easily streamline communication and creative streams to improve the organization’s ability to experience transformation.

    • Intelligence Mapping: Users can develop thorough mapping protocols for data dictionary input. Users can record dependencies correctly with a simple drag-and-drop mapping editor and drag information from any supported source to target model pairs.

    SAP PowerDesigner Benefits

    • Improve Overall Productivity: The solution enables enterprise architects and developers to share information through a trusted metadata repository that can handle all modeling types.

    • Simplify Workflows: PowerDesigner offers an easy-to-use wizard-driven protocol to streamline web-based reporting and documentation, making workloads easier for IT staff and other users.

    • Improve Communication: PowerDesigner’s intuitive link-and-sync technology will facilitate secure trusted networks between an organization's specific protocols, data models, and language.

    Reviews from Real Users

    “The most valuable feature of SAP PowerDesigner is the testing of the models, it has the best function. Reverse engineering is very helpful too. I use SAP PowerDesigner for data modeling and documentation. It interacts well with the other tools. Additionally, we use it for all of the business requirements, such as CDM and PDM.” - Saadat T., Emerging Cloud Solution Architect at a tech services company

    “It's a great tool for documentation. A new data scientist can easily understand the data just by looking at it. Once you are managing your physical data with a logical data model, by looking at this data model, you can understand what it means, the business meaning of the elements which are maintained by the relational database.” - Michael R., DA


    Sample Customers
    Canadian National Railway Company, Chickasaw Nation Division of Commerce, Swedish Armed Forces, BG RCI, Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd., University of Arizona, Biogrid Australia
    Medtronic, Cirque du Soleil, Antarc, B&G Manufacturing, EarlySense, eBay, Ferrero, James Austin Company, Lenovo, Sagem, RAK Ceramics, Vodafone
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm20%
    Government11%
    Insurance Company9%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm20%
    Retailer13%
    Energy/Utilities Company13%
    Consumer Goods Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm25%
    Government12%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business43%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise43%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business16%
    Midsize Enterprise9%
    Large Enterprise75%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business44%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise39%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business19%
    Midsize Enterprise11%
    Large Enterprise71%
    Buyer's Guide
    IBM InfoSphere Information Server vs. SAP PowerDesigner
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about IBM InfoSphere Information Server vs. SAP PowerDesigner and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    768,740 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    IBM InfoSphere Information Server is ranked 10th in Metadata Management with 7 reviews while SAP PowerDesigner is ranked 3rd in Metadata Management with 32 reviews. IBM InfoSphere Information Server is rated 8.4, while SAP PowerDesigner is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of IBM InfoSphere Information Server writes "Prompt support, reliable, but lacking scalability". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SAP PowerDesigner writes "Difficult to operate, long process to publish, but scalable". IBM InfoSphere Information Server is most compared with IBM InfoSphere DataStage, Qlik Replicate, IBM Watson Knowledge Catalog, IBM Cloud Pak for Data and Oracle GoldenGate, whereas SAP PowerDesigner is most compared with erwin Data Modeler by Quest, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, Visio, IDERA ER/Studio and LeanIX. See our IBM InfoSphere Information Server vs. SAP PowerDesigner report.

    See our list of best Metadata Management vendors.

    We monitor all Metadata Management reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.