Astera Data Integration Review

Astera
Product:
Vendor:
Founded:
Headquarters:
Centerprise
Astera
1990
Simi Valley, CA
Ownership:
Customers:
Deployment Model:
Free Trial:
Private
300+
Cloud, On-Premise
Yes
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Centerprise At A Glance

Good: Data integration capabilities doesn't have to be IT's responsibility, flexible software, lower total cost of ownership.
Bad: Astera Centerprise software only available for on-premise deployment.
Bottom Line: Astera's solutions are developed with the business user in mind; complex data integration processes are re-designed for even a novice user to utilize the software.

Product Overview

Data integration has long been the responsibility of IT departments in most companies. As more and more tasks fall on IT’s shoulders, the challenge is to utilize their limited resources while controlling costs. The data integration process can instead be done by business users with a flexible and easy-to-use software.

Astera’s data integration solutions are designed with the business user in mind. It offers three solutions: its flagship Astera Centerprise Data Integrator, Astera EDIConnect, and Astera ReportMiner.  We will talk briefly about each in our Features section below.

Astera Centerprise offers these benefits for business users: their IT division can focus on other important tasks/duties, lower total cost of ownership, anytime, anywhere access to data, and increased ability to make better business decisions.

Features

Astera Centerprise is available in two versions: the Centerprise Professional and Centerprise Enterprise. The Centerprise Professional has a built-in runtime engine and includes several of these features: file connectors in delimited, Excel and fixed lengths formats, base database connectors (SQL Server, Access, etc), unstructured data mining, data transformation, data profiling, EDI, premium database connectors (Oracle, Teradata, etc), advanced data connectors (CRM, Quickbooks, etc), data quality mode, team project and version control integration, and .NET extensibility APIs. The Centerprise Enterprise has a server-based runtime engine; aside from all of the features of the Professional version, it also has workflow automation, job scheduler, and job parameterization.

Astera ReportMiner enables users to extract data from printed documents for integration into the company’s databases. Data can be extracted from these formats: PDFs, PDF forms, TXT, PRN, RTF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, and COBOL. Data is exported and mapped to any destination, including Excel, delimited formats, fixed-length format, and most databases (SQL Server, Access, MySQL, and PostgreSQL). ReportMiner processes large amounts of data in a short time, and  specific report models is reused at any time.  And in a single-click preview window, users can verify data conversion errors and test report models.

Astera EDIConnect is an electronic data interchange (EDI) functionality that allows systems to conduct business transactions without human involvement. For example, customer information can be transferred from a CRM system to a billing system. The EDIConnect includes a transaction builder, a repository manager, automation orchestration, and job scheduler.

Astera DW Builder empowers organizations to build their own data warehouse with out-of-the-box best practices. It includes built-in connectors to on-premise and cloud software, workflow orchestration tools, a dimensional data modeler designer, intelligent data mapping, data profiling and data model verification.

Target Market

Astera provides solutions that are targeted to specific industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, government, media, utilities, and non-profits, among others. We’ve listed several of its customers below:

  • Kofax
  • Nissan
  • Xerox
  • Amkor Technology
  • Raymond James Financial
  • HP
  • Novartis
  • Wells Fargo
  • USDA
  • McLane Global

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Implementation/Integration

Astera has three implementation packages:

Fast Track Implementation – This package is designed for organizations that has already defined their project scope and wanted to accelerate the deployment process. Some of the services include software installation, sources and destinations configurations and assistance in developing data mapping/transformation workflows.

Full Implementation – Astera provides a full implementation process that’s custom to a company’s unique needs. They’ll set up a project scope, identify sources and destinations, develop mapping/transformation workflows and set up a data validation process.

Proof of concept package – This package is intended for companies that need a properly scoped proof of concept plan and that want to understand how Astera fits in their requirements. It includes licensing and support services for a determined number of months, and users can test the software after implementation and compare it with other data integration providers.

Astera offers four training options: three-day training at the customer’s site, one-day online overview course, customized online training, and on-demand training via video tutorials, product documentations and articles. Astera focuses its training strategy on methodology, expertise, benefits, and ecosystem.

Customer Service & Support

Users can contact Customer Support via phone or email. They can also access the Support site, where they will find a knowledge base, get information on future releases or upgrades, and submit a service request. Customer support requests are responded within one business day and critical product issues are resolved within 48 hours.

Pricing

Astera doesn’t publicly display its pricing information, so please contact the vendor directly for a quote.

Shortcomings

The Centerprise software is only available for on-premise deployment, not for web-based or SaaS.

Screenshots

Astera Screenshot 1
Astera Screenshot 2
Astera Screenshot 3

About

Astera is a leading developer of enterprise solutions that help simplify the data integration process by delivering intuitive and fast structured and unstructured data integration. Its mission is to help business users learn and use data integration functions quickly and effectively without depending on IT – its Centerpiece solution is unified and code-free. It also aims to provide affordable software that contribute to users’ low total cost of ownership (TCO).

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