Alation Data Catalog vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) vs SAS Data Management comparison

Alation and Informatica are both solutions in the Data Governance category. Alation is ranked #7 with an average rating of 7.4, while Informatica is ranked #2 with an average rating of 7.7. Alation holds a 5.8% mindshare in DG, compared to Informatica’s 5.7% mindshare. Additionally, 71% of Alation users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 93% of Informatica users who would recommend it.

Alation Data Catalog

Read 12 Alation Data Catalog reviews

5,708 Views
5,137 Comparison Views

71% willing to recommend

Informatica Intelligent Dat...

Read 185 Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) reviews

24,254 Views
3,881 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

SAS Data Management

Read 17 SAS Data Management reviews

1,539 Views
400 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

Alation Data Catalog

Informatica Intelligent Dat...

SAS Data Management

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Alation Data Catalog, Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC), and SAS Data Management based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, Informatica, Collibra and others in Data Governance.

To learn more, read our detailed Data Governance Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Data Governance

June 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Data Governance category, the mindshare of Alation Data Catalog is 5.8%, down from 9.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) is 5.7%, down from 8.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAS Data Management is 0.9%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Data Governance

Featured Reviews

Brahma Lam

Developer at CVS Health

Has metadata cataloging features but needs changes in domain model

The tool's metadata cataloging is the most valuable feature. The tool's domain model needs to be changed. Alation Data Catalog is stable. The solution is scalable. Alation Data Catalog's deployment is easy. I rate it a nine out of ten. Deployment takes only two to three hours to complete.…

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Saikat Ghosh

Consulting Principal & Founder at Digital Data Consultancy

Match and merge functionality is still the best but cloud version needs more functionality

There are various areas for improvement in IDMC. Enhancements on basic data management functionality and the UI front, such as multiple templates and improved grid views, would be beneficial. Bulk data management features could be improved from the UI perspective to get to the level of the on prem versions of Informatica MDM. The tool needs to mature but missing small but important features, like restricted dynamic attributes functionality, data inheritance rules in master hierachies, identifiers not being passed in jobs is a drawback.

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Vivek Trivedi

Head finance transformation at Ahli United Bank Ksc

Has robust data governance capabilities and efficient financial alerting features

The platform's robust data governance capabilities ensure strong compliance with regulatory standards. Our dedicated data governance team is responsible for setting policies and monitoring data access and usage. Additionally, we have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and an independent InfoSec team that work together to enforce these policies. This multi-layered approach ensures that data governance is effectively managed and compliant with all necessary regulations. It is integrated with SQL and Power BI servers for executive management dashboard reporting. This integration supports comprehensive data analysis and reporting needs, which was a key factor in our decision. The value of using vCenter lies in its comprehensive data infrastructure management. It significantly enhances our reporting, day-to-day decision-making, and analytics capabilities. Integrating SaaS with vCenter adds value by streamlining key functions and improving overall organizational efficiency. The solution can be considered expensive, particularly due to infrastructure, maintenance, and ownership costs. The long-term savings and efficiencies gained from using vCenter can justify the investment for large organizations. However, the high costs might not be justifiable for smaller organizations with less data and fewer resources. Conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis based on the organization's specific needs and scale is recommended. I rate it an eight.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Given the relatively low level of maturity, Alation's most relevant feature at the moment is a user interface that's easy to navigate, which helps us find and understand the data. So while Alation has a lot more functionality, our pain point right now is being able to easily find, understand, and trust the information to use it."

"We can customize templates based on our use cases."

"We had some of our data science engineers, who had built out some cloud-based data and data products for users. They were spending a lot of their time, up to 30 to 35% of their time, answering questions about the data and helping people understand how to use it. Once they were able to document that information within Alation, they were only focusing on around 5% of the high-value questions that really couldn't be solved through the catalog itself. It freed them up to be more productive, it made their end-users more productive, and it made the adoption rate of their data products rise more quickly because people were able to get to using them."

"The solution is used to query MySQL clients and store data and documentation."

"The platform's most valuable features are workflow automation, automated business metadata tagging, technical metadata tagging, and data integration with data quality tools or platforms."

"The solution's most valuable feature is the ALLIE AI feature."

"The most valuable feature is cloud integration."

"Alation Data Catalog was very useful for sharing SQL queries easily in a platform."

More Alation Data Catalog pros

"The ability to aggregate and put together data from around fifty sources into one environment allows us to have a preview of everything in a single place, which is something we did not have previously in our company."

"The features that I have found most valuable are, first of all, that it comes as part of this whole bundle of Informatica tools. So if you've been implementing Informatica MDM across a business, you'd often find it comes with it. It's been thrown in as a sweetener. The adoption of it is often the challenge because as part of your MDM project, governance is seen as something beyond the MDM and is often restrictive. So this tool actually, for the first time, when you talk to data governance teams, gives a holistic view of what a data governance team can do with this tool."

"Address Doctor gives an accurate combination of information provided with a level of returned threshold value."

"Able to customize data search and data sharing."

"It's helpful in integration, and it can be moved around in SharePoint. So, from the SharePoint View, data integration and reporting, it help a lot in that way."

"This is where I think MDM shines - with its strong fuzzy matching algorithm. This is the essence of Informatica MDM. Based on these results, I can write our match conditions and then perform the corresponding data management activities."

"The way that the solution scans is very useful."

"It has all the advantages of the Cloud in that you can use it without worrying about infrastructure, upkeep, or upgrades."

More Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) pros

"The technical support is excellent."

"I am impressed with the tool's ability to customize."

"The platform's robust data governance capabilities ensure strong compliance with regulatory standards."

"If you compare it to SQL, the memory and development times are very quick."

"The product offers very good flexibility."

"I find the solution to be very stable."

"The tool is reliable, quick, and powerful."

"In terms of which features I have found most valuable, I would say the importing and exporting features. Additionally, the data sorting, categorizing and summarizing features, especially how it can summarize based on categories. These are the key features."

More SAS Data Management pros

Cons

"I know that this has been on their roadmap and they're working on it, but as a whole, there's an untapped reservoir of capabilities within their article features that could be used and built upon."

"Alation Data Catalog does not provide end-to-end data lineage."

"Alation Data Catalog needs to develop a lot in terms of data governance and would be improved with a built-in interactive data quality solution."

"Although the solution performs far better in terms of data cataloging, its data governance capabilities need improvement."

"It would be good if the tool could show the output from the records while querying."

"The tool's domain model needs to be changed."

"The interface is not user-friendly."

"Alation Data Catalog doesn't support end-to-end lineage. By that, I mean the ability to trace the movement of data from when it first comes into our organization to where it's consumed."

More Alation Data Catalog cons

"While my company operates on the cloud, we have seen that Informatica Cloud Data Integration has some performance issues causing it to lag."

"There are a small number of UI bugs that occur on occasion."

"Enhancements on the UI front, such as multiple templates and improved grid views, would be beneficial."

"Informatica is very expensive."

"Its pricing model can be improved. The response time from technical support can also be improved."

"The cloud version of the Informatica, it's a very substandard product. They might say it's enterprise-ready but it's not at all ready. They need to add more features, such as improved data replication features. If you look at other tools, such as Matillion they are now cloud-native and flexible. Additionally, Informatica Cloud Data Integration should have a good migration strategy from Informatica PowerCenter to Informatica Cloud Data Integration."

"The integration with other data management tools can be enhanced. For instance, there is no integration with tools like Collibra or Hubview."

"Informatica Data Quality has its data warehouse, primarily using Oracle and some SQL databases. You need a database to host the data."

More Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) cons

"We find we often have to go back and re-train users when there are changes made to the solution because the changes are not intuitive."

"The pricing of the solution needs to be improved. They need to work to make it more affordable."

"One problem is accessing the data using a solution other than SAS. The SAS data, which we create in the SAS, cannot be accessed by other tools. We can't open those data in other applications. So we need to have that application in place."

"Integration and cloud migration are areas where we see potential for improvement."

"I would like the tool to include the ability to automate the modifications of the integrations."

"There is significant room for improvement, especially with regard to using a hybrid approach that involves both CAS and persistent storage."

"Very little needs to improve but perhaps a nicer graphic interface and remaining competetive in the growing field of data analytics."

"With SAS Data Management, you have to purchase an external driver, configure all of the tables for all of the data that you will extract from Salesforce. It's not a straightforward process."

More SAS Data Management cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I don't have all the details on the pricing side, but the solution was more expensive than originally expected."

"The platform is moderately expensive compared to the other competitors in the market."

"A three-year agreement is better than a one-year rolling 12-month agreement from a price point of view. I'd recommend looking at a three-year deal because you can't stand up a catalog and produce value in 12 months."

"The solution is a little expensive."

"I rate the licensing cost of Informatica MDM a five out of ten."

"Licensing is difficult to understand, but the team is always available to explain anything. They are very helpful."

"The price is neither too high nor too low."

"The product is highly-priced."

"Pricing is determined by the number of licensed users as well as the number of Core CPUs."

"Informatica Axon is a costly solution. I rate Informatica Axon a four out of ten for its pricing."

"The solution's pricing model is easy, but it is very expensive."

"There is no doubt that it is very expensive, but the brand value comes at a cost. Other MDM solutions in the market that haven't proven themselves like Informatica are also pretty expensive. We need to understand that MDM itself is very expensive to implement. So, Informatica is also pretty expensive. I would rate it a two out of five for being pretty expensive."

More Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) pricing and cost advice

"The solution is expensive."

"The tool is a bit expensive."

"The licensing model for vCenter is a perpetual license with yearly payments."

"While it is even free for personal use on the cloud, it can be expensive for desktop installations and enterprise use."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

17%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

17%

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Insurance Company

Financial Services Firm

30%

Computer Software Company

12%

Government

Insurance Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Alation Data Catalog?

The platform's most valuable features are workflow automation, automated business metadata tagging, technical metadat...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Alation Data Catalog?

The price difference between Alation Data Catalog and Collibra was not significant. Collibra is a little bit expensiv...

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What needs improvement with Alation Data Catalog?

Alation Data Catalog is not user-friendly for business users. Its user experience is comparable to a Wikipedia page, ...

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How does Azure Data Factory compare with Informatica Cloud Data Integration?

Azure Data Factory is a solid product offering many transformation functions; It has pre-load and post-load transfor...

See all answers

Which Informatica product would you choose - PowerCenter or Cloud Data Integration?

Complex transformations can easily be achieved using PowerCenter, which has all the features and tools to establish a...

See all answers

What are the biggest benefits of using Informatica Cloud Data Integration?

When it comes to cloud data integration, this solution can provide you with multiple benefits, including: Overhead r...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SAS Data Management?

From my experience, SAS Data Management is an expensive tool.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAS Data Management?

There is significant room for improvement, especially with regard to using a hybrid approach that involves both CAS a...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SAS Data Management?

Some clients and I are using SAS Data Management for data cleansing, data warehousing, and IoT-related activities suc...

See all answers

Comparisons

Microsoft Purview Data Governance vs Alation Data Catalog

Compared 46% of the time

Collibra Governance vs Alation Data Catalog

Compared 10% of the time

Atlan vs Alation Data Catalog

Compared 4% of the time

IBM InfoSphere Information Governance Catalog vs Alation Data Catalog

Compared 3% of the time

BigID vs Alation Data Catalog

Compared 3% of the time

More Alation Data Catalog Competitors

Microsoft Purview Data Governance vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)

Compared 5% of the time

Informatica PowerCenter vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)

Compared 4% of the time

Azure Data Factory vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)

Compared 4% of the time

Reltio Cloud vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)

Compared 4% of the time

IBM InfoSphere MDM vs Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)

Compared 3% of the time

More Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) Competitors

Palantir Foundry vs SAS Data Management

Compared 14% of the time

Collibra Governance vs SAS Data Management

Compared 13% of the time

Informatica PowerCenter vs SAS Data Management

Compared 10% of the time

Ab Initio Co>Operating System vs SAS Data Management

Compared 9% of the time

IBM InfoSphere DataStage vs SAS Data Management

Compared 9% of the time

More SAS Data Management Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Alation Data Catalog

July 2025

Download Alation Data Catalog product report

Buyer's Guide

Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC)

April 2025

Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) report

Download Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) product report

Buyer's Guide

SAS Data Management

June 2025

Download SAS Data Management product report

Also Known As

Alation

ActiveVOS, Active Endpoints, BPM, Address Verification, Persistent Data Masking, Cloud Test Data Management, PIM, , Enterprise Data Catalog, Data Integration Hub, Cloud Data Integration, Data Quality, Cloud API and App Integration

SAS Data Management Platform, Data Management Platform, DataFlux

Overview

Alation pioneered the data catalog market and is now leading its evolution into a platform for a broad range of data intelligence solutions including data search & discovery, data governance, lineage, stewardship, analytics, and digital transformation.

Thanks to its powerful Behavioral Analysis Engine, inbuilt collaboration capabilities, and open interfaces, Alation combines machine learning with human insight to successfully tackle even the most demanding challenges in data and metadata management. With Alation, analysts are empowered to search, query and collaborate on their data to achieve faster, more accurate insights.

Trusted by 400+ enterprises worldwide like Salesforce, Nasdaq, LinkedIn, Finnair, and Cisco.

Alation

Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) is a robust platform used by banks, financial institutions, and health sector organizations for data management, governance, and compliance.

IDMC provides comprehensive tools for data discovery, profiling, masking, and transformation. It supports Salesforce integration, real-time data streaming, and scalable data management solutions. Health organizations manage national product catalogs while financial entities focus on data protection and regulatory compliance. Its intuitive interface, flexible features, and robust tools make it valuable across sectors, though enhancements in data integration and human workflow are being sought.

What are the most important features?

Data discovery: Facilitates identifying and understanding data sources.
Data profiling: Analyzes old databases for data quality.
Data and platform masking: Ensures data protection.
Salesforce integration: Seamless connectivity with Salesforce.
Mastering data: Centralizing and standardizing data.
UI intuitiveness: User-friendly interface.
Feature map flexibility: Adapts to user needs.
Business glossary creation: Defines business terms.
Data lineage: Tracks data flow and transformations.
Automation: Streamlines data processes.
Enterprise data cataloging: Organizes extensive data assets.
Scalability: Supports expanding data requirements.
Easy setup: Quick deployment process.
Bulk upload: Efficiently handles large data volumes.
Customizable data management: Tailors data solutions.
Real-time data streaming: Manages live data streams.
Integration with Hadoop and NoSQL: Connects with big data platforms.

What benefits and ROI should be considered?

Regulatory compliance: Ensures adherence to regulations.
Data protection: Safeguards sensitive information.
Enhanced data quality: Improves accuracy and reliability.
Centralized data: Consolidates data for better management.
Process automation: Reduces manual tasks and errors.

Banks and financial institutions use IDMC for data masking, transformation, and compliance, while health sector organizations leverage it for national product catalogs. Industry applications focus on automating business processes, centralizing data, and managing data catalogs to meet regulatory demands and ensure data protection.

Informatica

Every decision, every business move, every successful customer interaction - they all come down to high-quality, well-integrated data. If you don't have it, you don't win. SAS Data Management is an industry-leading solution built on a data quality platform that helps you improve, integrate and govern your data.

SAS

Sample Customers

Salesforce, Snowflake, Citrix, eBay, TripAdvisor, Albertsons, Nasdaq, Pfizer, LinkedIn, Finnair.

The Travel Company, Carbonite

Data Management, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Absa, Aegon, Allianz Global Corporate & SpecialtyAusgrid, Bank of Queensland, Bell, BMC Software, Canada Post, Ceska pojistovna, Chantecler, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Credit Guarantee Corporation, Cr_dito y Cauci‹n, Delaware State Police, Deutsche Lufthansa, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, DSM, Enerjisa, ERGO Insurance Group, Florida Department of Corrections, Generali Hellas, Gitanjali Group, Gloucestershire Constabulary, GS Home Shopping, HealthPartners, IAG New Zealand, iJET, Invacare, Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, Los Angeles County, Miami Herald Media Company, Netherlands Enterprise Agency, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Nippon Paper, North Carolina Office of Information Technology Services, Orlando Magic, OTP Group, PITT OHIO, Plano Independent School District, RWE Poland, Spanish Air Force, Stockholm County Council, Telus, The Travel Corporation, Transitions Optical, Triad Analytic Solutions, UNIQA, US Census Bureau, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, West Midlands Police, XS Inc., Zenith Insurance

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, Informatica, Collibra and others in Data Governance. Updated: June 2025.

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