Share your experience using Ataccama ONE Platform

The primary advantage lies in the platform's high degree of automation. Supervision requirements are minimal, and in case of any component failure or connection issues, detailed emails promptly notify us about the problem's location and nature. Similarly, upon resolution, we receive email notifications confirming the fix. This automated notification system is particularly beneficial, as earlier versions lacked such features, necessitating constant manual monitoring. With this improvement, we can redirect our attention to other priorities instead of continuously overseeing the platform, contributing significantly to our efficiency. 

The desktop version of the solution was particularly valuable to me, primarily for creating components. We opted for the data quality aspect to assess the quality of our data warehouse. The functionalities available allowed us to not only check data quality but also serve as an ETL tool. This versatility enabled data transformation and storage in various formats, including files on platforms like SharePoint or local online directories. The flexibility of the tool catered to the specific needs of those building components, contributing to our desired outcomes.   

Speaking specifically about the version we use, version 12.3, I'm unsure if this has been addressed in subsequent versions. One improvement I'd like to see pertains to the language used in certain components, especially in data quality checks. The language complexity posed a challenge for beginners. Although we had on-site assistance from Ataccama, making it manageable for us, some individuals found it difficult to comprehend, necessitating additional support. The provision of a comprehensive guide for on-premise installation can also be enhanced. The lack of detailed information on the solution's workings and the overwhelming nature of notifications, with extensive content, were areas of concern. Streamlining the notification content in newer versions would significantly expedite issue resolution.

I have been using Ataccama for eight to nine months.

We did encounter a few issues, primarily surfacing around two years post-implementation. These were largely related to network issues. Notably, when there were updates to the database, the application, at times utilizing Jenkins, faced challenges with restarts for both the application and the database. While this was the main hurdle, I currently cannot recall any additional significant challenges.

We haven’t applied this solution in a scalable setting, so I can’t comment on this aspect. 

We have the customer support, but there is no particular assigned support facility for us. 

I played a role solely in the migration process from the old version to the new version and was not engaged in the IT aspects, such as configuring equipment, setting code for installation, managing firewalls, etc. The installation process involved a company called Adastra. They were present on-site for approximately two to three months, overseeing installation, workforce setup, and providing explanations on system operations. Following this period, we solely relied on our in-house team, as we had no ongoing support arrangement with Ataccama.

Our licensing model wasn't user-specific; instead, we paid fees for the engine and maintenance. As we didn't have a support contract, maintenance fees were likely nonexistent. Regarding the upgrade, we had an account for the initial two or three years, and considering the features provided by the solution, the pricing was reasonable.

Ataccama’s website offers comprehensive guides enabling users to acquaint themselves with the solution, its benefits, current features, and future advancements. The guides are well-structured, focusing not only on the data port aspect but also on broader functionalities like data cataloging and data lineage. The solution provides a holistic view of the entire data flow, including source systems, data warehouse, transformations, and relevant details such as why and how changes occurred. For business users, it facilitates insights into data definitions, creators, and modification history. This extensive information is available when utilizing the complete package, distinguishing it from prior versions that primarily emphasized the data quality part.

Based on all factors, I would rate it 8 out of 10.

Primarily, the use cases pertain to the governance classification of metadata.

The notable aspect lies in the workflow structure, where building the workflow aligns significantly with data governance. They extract rules, and create factor automation, ensuring streamlined governance, especially for similar classifieds. The process involves defined steps and adjustable parameters that seamlessly integrate into the worklist components. Daily operations and background runs are accommodated within the workflow, maximizing possibilities for Acronis use cases. Data profiling and masking, where understanding data details is crucial for security without compromising confidentiality. is well-utilized across different fronts, offering a user-friendly experience for making decisions on data storage, classification, and mapping. The front-end interface is particularly commendable, facilitating easy understanding, and the back-end process in Ataccama ensures the completion of classifier profiling and metadata tagging.

The focus for future improvements lies in strengthening the handling of unstructured data. This entails adapting to new environments, extracting data from platforms such as Slack or Teams, and creating workflows that integrate governance, data privacy, and policy considerations. While the structured data aspect is robust, the current emphasis is on working with restructured databases. There is a notable challenge in having to provide detailed filters before the site recognizes the search criteria. While it facilitates global searches, improvements in the search bar functionality are essential for a more user-friendly experience.

I have been using it for approximately two years.

Dealing with massive amounts of data, I've observed occasional minor hiccups during maintenance or required upgrades. Apart from these instances, I haven't encountered any significant challenges in maintaining Ataccama. The maintenance aspect is straightforward, and I've even witnessed my admin team handling it with ease. Overall, I would say it is stable and reliable.

Considering the extensive data volume in the company-assigned project, which involves working with data ranging from millions to billions, the scalability of Ataccama is quite evident. Specifically, in dealing with metadata, it proves to be highly scalable. The organization heavily relies on it, being integrated with another governance product, Collibra.

I would rate the support that they provide seven out of ten.

Neutral

Both Collibra and Ataccama are fully functional for all users, including service teams, third-party vendors, and client members.

The initial setup, particularly when it comes to prioritizing and implementing policies, is extremely user-friendly and lightweight.

Despite not being extremely low-cost, the pricing appears reasonable, making it a profitable and viable choice for companies that prioritize data security and adhere to specific policies.

It is an ideal choice for companies prioritizing lineage, stringent data policies, and security measures. Specifically beneficial for businesses handling highly secure data like US customer information with policies such as CPNI, its selection is driven by its alignment with business needs. The platform ensures a secure and efficient solution, minimizing complexity compared to alternative products, and proves to be a strong choice when aligned with the unique needs and demands of the project. Overall, I would rate it seven out of ten.