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IBM InfoSphere Optim Test Data Management (TDM) vs Perforce Delphix comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 21, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

IBM InfoSphere Optim Test D...
Ranking in Test Data Management
5th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
15
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Perforce Delphix
Ranking in Test Data Management
1st
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
19
Ranking in other categories
Copy Data Management (1st), Data Masking (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Test Data Management category, the mindshare of IBM InfoSphere Optim Test Data Management (TDM) is 6.6%, down from 8.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Perforce Delphix is 21.1%, down from 29.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Test Data Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Perforce Delphix21.1%
IBM InfoSphere Optim Test Data Management (TDM)6.6%
Other72.3%
Test Data Management
 

Q&A Highlights

it_user727167 - PeerSpot reviewer
Works at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Oct 19, 2017
 

Featured Reviews

SD
Sr. HR Execuitve - Employee Relations at HGS - Hinduja Global Solutions
User-friendly platform with valuable data management features
The initial setup could be complicated for a new user. However, the process is straightforward for our team. We installed the product on our system and later received assistance from the support team. We initially faced challenges following the instructions outlined in the provided Excel sheet, specifically related to the configuration steps. Despite adhering to the documented test-type instructions, we encountered difficulties, resulting in a delay. Subsequently, we overcame these issues with the tech support team's assistance, ultimately completing the installation within an hour.
PK
Release Train Engineer at a tech vendor with 1-10 employees
Automated data masking and provisioning has improved compliance and accelerated secure testing workflows across cloud environments
Some of the best features of Perforce Delphix include its automation of sensitive data discovery and masking with referential integrity for Aurora and RDS, as well as support for diverse data sources including Oracle, SQL, SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Additionally, its GUI workflows simplify the creation and scheduling of masking jobs and enhance data governance in cloud hybrid and on-premises environments. Perforce Delphix can deliver up to 25 terabytes of data in just minutes, making it approximately 100 times faster for development and testing needs. Perforce Delphix has positively impacted my organization by saving us 70 to 80% of the time, which has enabled us to complete data sprints earlier, and it has also helped reduce costs. The time to complete one story point has decreased from 10 hours to around 4 or 5 hours, leading to substantial cost savings. Furthermore, it's effective in managing scaled agile enterprise data management, as we orchestrate and govern masking jobs across multiple teams and agile release trains to ensure data privacy standards are maintained.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The platform's ability to generate metrics is the most valuable feature for data management. It is a user-friendly and easy-to-use tool."
"I like the features compared to other tools. This tool is more flexible to use than other tools like an Oracle product or SAP product. I think IBM tools are more flexible, and this tool is also a good product."
"Data masking features are the most valuable, as non-production environments are used by diverse parties and data privacy has to be guaranteed."
"The solution can be used on both legacy and non-legacy systems."
"The product is efficient in handling large volumes of data."
"Delphix's technical support is fairly knowledgeable."
"It's really easy to install."
"Perforce Delphix has positively impacted my organization by saving us 70 to 80% of the time, which has enabled us to complete data sprints earlier, and it has also helped reduce costs."
"Data being available anytime is a life changer."
"For the code side, it was very secure, and when it comes to user management, it was very user-friendly; the onboarding process was easy, and adding and managing users was straightforward."
"Delphix's data distribution is powerful. It's easy to distribute data with this solution. The main advantage of Delphix is that it generates copies of data."
"Delphix interfaces are simple to use and very user friendly."
 

Cons

"TDM's efficiency in terms of generating reports needs improvement. It could work faster."
"I think it could be more secure. I don't have experience with the security aspects concerning PII data, but I think it can still be streamlined a little more. It could also have some more features, and the initial setup could be more straightforward."
"I would like to be able to combine different masking functions on the same column map, making more complex masking without the need of writing an Lua procedure."
"The initial implementation learning curve could be improved, as it is challenging for newcomers to navigate."
"Delphix is quite expensive."
"The initial implementation learning curve could be improved, as it is challenging for newcomers to navigate."
"The solution's price needs improvement."
"As a commercial model, it's very good. However, maybe it would be nice for Delphix to integrate with some other platforms."
"The solution’s self-service portal must be more interactive and user-friendly."
"Delphix is a strong solution for virtualization, but it's not strong enough for creating data, so we have to use another solution for creating new data."
"Delphix needs better partnerships from a customer perspective. It's how they sell it, not what they're selling."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"You have to pay yearly for the license, which comes at a reduced cost. The monthly payment option for a shorter project duration is also good."
"We purchase TDM's yearly license."
"I rate the product price seven to eight on a scale of one to ten, where one is the low price, and ten is the high price."
"It is an expensive solution."
"The cost is $370K annually for the Delphix Masking Engine and Delphix Virtualization Engine."
"The solution's pricing was reasonable and lower than one million."
"The product is a little bit expensive."
"Delphix's pricing is affordable."
"I would say the price is a little high but affordable for our needs."
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Answers from the Community

it_user727167 - PeerSpot reviewer
Works at a tech company with 51-200 employees
Oct 19, 2017
Oct 19, 2017
Hi, I can’t help re Delphix but see below for IBM Optim and Informatica archive solutions. Need archival software comparison for IBM OPTIM,Informatica ILM, Delphix. - What database it will support? Both IBM and Informatica will support all the main DBs, mainframe and distributed. IBM have a tool called Federated server which helps connect to any obscure databases you may have. In...
See 2 answers
it_user722664 - PeerSpot reviewer
Managing Consultant - Data Management Services and GDPR at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Oct 4, 2017
Hi, I can’t help re Delphix but see below for IBM Optim and Informatica archive solutions. Need archival software comparison for IBM OPTIM,Informatica ILM, Delphix. - What database it will support? Both IBM and Informatica will support all the main DBs, mainframe and distributed. IBM have a tool called Federated server which helps connect to any obscure databases you may have. Informatica might need a little more fiddling and has had issues around connecting to obscure data sources. Both are now archiving unstructured data but be careful around cloud (SFDC etc), they may not be as far ahead as they claim. Try before you buy. SAP can be a problem. - Performance Would not choose one over the other re performance. To an extent it’s down to the kit you provide and often clients look to save here especially where kit performance affects license. - System Requirements Again similar although the Informatica solution may have higher needs, probably looking at a min 8 core server to run the software. Often clients are looking at cheapest option they can get away with. Will need at least 1 repository data base created which has to be either DB2, Oracle or SQL server. Might need a separate server for that. Compression rates are excellent for both. Both will need storage for archive files. I recommend getting a detailed breakdown on the infrastructure required up front and how it might impact performance. - Cost You are likely looking at 6 figure sums for both, also think about services for getting you going which is likely a 4-6 week project. If you buy at an end of quarter you might get better discounts. They may be licensed slightly differently from IBM to Infa so comparing like for like may need some investigation. - Support Interesting one in both cases. Informatica have been running down both development and support for Archiving which was a bought in product and does not integrate with its Powercenter toolset. IBM have ‘outsourced’ development and support for Optim. I would be more worried about Informatica at this point. - Recommendation to use which one and why I would tend towards IBM but make sure you understand whats happening re development and support moving forwards. I would definitely get a PoC run to prove it can achieve your main (especially obscure) requirements. Surprise Surprise Sales will promise the earth but the reality can be very different especially around connecting to certain Data sources. Neither tool is aimed at users, you will need a techy. You can automate many of the processes but will need ongoing BAU/management.
it_user758541 - PeerSpot reviewer
Director, Customer & C-suite Programs at a tech vendor with 201-500 employees
Oct 19, 2017
Hello, This from the 2016 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Structured Data Archiving and Application Retirement on Delphix, who was a Leader in that MQ along with IBM and Informatica. I updated a few things such as our headquarter move and anything else that was dated. I'd be happy to send you the full report if you'd like - just let me know. ----------------------------------------------- Delphix, headquartered in Redwood City, California, offers the Delphix Dynamic Data platform. The platform supports Oracle E-business Suite, PeopleSoft, Siebel, JD Edwards, Baan and SAP application environments, as well as IBM DB2, Oracle, SQL Server and other databases. The offering works through copy data management, meaning it creates and manages virtualized copies of the database/application environment and provides management controls, including retention and access, as part of the life cycle. Delphix has recently seen an upsurge in SAP archiving opportunities, and is providing governance and data modeling capabilities to support financial services for Dodd-Frank compliance initiatives. Delphix is largely sold by a direct sales force through which pricing is offered in server- and term-based models. Support for DB2 on z/OS and SAP Hana are on the roadmap. Delphix announced in 2017 partnerships with AWS and Azure for accelerating data migration to the cloud. In Gartner's Data Masking Magic Quadrant, Delphix was recognized as THE ONLY solution solving for masking and data distribution challenges. Hope that helps.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
16%
Computer Software Company
15%
Insurance Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
28%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Computer Software Company
8%
Insurance Company
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business1
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise14
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business10
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise13
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM InfoSphere Optim Test Data Management (TDM)?
The platform's ability to generate metrics is the most valuable feature for data management. It is a user-friendly and easy-to-use tool.
What needs improvement with IBM InfoSphere Optim Test Data Management (TDM)?
TDM's efficiency in terms of generating reports needs improvement. It could work faster.
What do you like most about Delphix?
The performance offered by the product, its price, and its ability to handle structured and unstructured data were good when compared to the other products in the market.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Delphix?
It is hard for me to remember the pricing, setup cost, or licensing for Perforce. I think the licensing was based on user count. I felt the pricing was a little higher at that time, which is what I...
What needs improvement with Delphix?
The initial implementation learning curve could be improved, as it is challenging for newcomers to navigate.
 

Also Known As

IBM Optim Test Data Management, Optim Test Data Management, IBM InfoSphere Optim Test Data Management
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Dignity Health
Alberta Blue Cross, Fastweb, SABMiller, California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA), Molina Healthcare, AT&T, Nike, Facebook, eBay, Comcast, IBM, HP, Intel, Avaya, BNP Paribas, P&B, Toyota, Walmart, Best Western, Directv, JPMorganChase, Verizon, Bank of the West, Fannie Mae
Find out what your peers are saying about IBM InfoSphere Optim Test Data Management (TDM) vs. Perforce Delphix and other solutions. Updated: January 2026.
881,455 professionals have used our research since 2012.