IBM InfoSphere Optim vs Spotlight comparison

IBM and Quest Software are both solutions in the Database Development and Management category. IBM is ranked #16 with an average rating of 7.0, while Quest Software is ranked #5 with an average rating of 9.0. IBM holds a 2.2% mindshare in DDM, compared to Quest Software’s 4.1% mindshare. Additionally, 75% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Quest Software users who would recommend it.

IBM InfoSphere Optim

Read 4 IBM InfoSphere Optim reviews

726 Views
661 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Spotlight

Read 5 Spotlight reviews

1,260 Views
1,260 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM InfoSphere Optim

Spotlight

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 23, 2025

IBM InfoSphere Optim and Spotlight compete in the data management and performance monitoring markets. IBM InfoSphere Optim stands out for data lifecycle management, while Spotlight has an edge in performance optimization.

Features: IBM InfoSphere Optim offers robust data archiving, masking, and test data management capabilities, catering to data security and compliance. These features are ideal for regulated industries. Spotlight provides real-time performance monitoring, diagnostics, and alerting capabilities, offering critical insights into system bottlenecks.

Room for Improvement: IBM InfoSphere Optim could improve in streamlining its integration process and expanding platform compatibility. Enhancing user interface intuitiveness would also be beneficial. Spotlight can enhance historical data comparison tools and improve alert customization options. Additional support for newer database technologies may also be advantageous.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM InfoSphere Optim features a modular architecture for scalable deployment but requires tailored integration and involves intricate procedures. Customer support is dedicated yet can be complex. Spotlight allows quicker deployment with self-monitoring systems and is praised for efficient customer service.

Pricing and ROI: IBM InfoSphere Optim demands a higher initial investment, reflecting its extensive feature set, and offers long-term ROI by reducing storage costs and compliance risks. Spotlight has a competitive pricing model, delivering faster implementation and quicker ROI through immediate performance gains.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Spotlight Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Spotlight

December 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:

Categories and Ranking

IBM InfoSphere Optim

Ranking in Database Development and Management

16th

Average Rating

6.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Spotlight

Ranking in Database Development and Management

5th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Database Development and Management category, the mindshare of IBM InfoSphere Optim is 2.2%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Spotlight is 4.1%, down from 7.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Database Development and Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Spotlight	4.1%
IBM InfoSphere Optim	2.2%
Other	93.7%

Database Development and Management

Featured Reviews

Kenneth Estanislao

Solutions Designer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees

Backups become efficient while cost concerns remain

I am still working with IBM and we are transitioning to other tools rather than using IBM InfoSphere Optim. We use other tools, but I cannot recall the name because I am not the one currently handling it. It has transitioned to other architects. For IBM InfoSphere Optim, we are still currently using it, but we have transitioned to the newer version, the latest one with support for AWS S3. I cannot identify a main competitor for IBM InfoSphere Optim because we have transitioned to other architects, and they are the ones looking for other tools. The last comparison I did was almost 4 years ago. I am not using any AI technology with IBM InfoSphere Optim. I rate IBM InfoSphere Optim a seven out of ten. The tool is good, but the price is not favorable as it is the most expensive part. I can recommend IBM InfoSphere Optim for enterprises.

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BlakeCheatham

Sr. Database Administrator at Comcast Business

Facilitating on-the-spot troubleshooting with detailed root cause analysis

Spotlight provides valuable features such as the ability to get alerted and drill down to a very granular level to find out where actual problems are coming from. The drill-down feature helps with isolation, root cause analysis, and determining next steps. It aids in preventing potential issues by allowing us to make correctable changes internally within SQL Server. When needed, it also helps address external influences affecting system design. Additionally, the historical data analysis is helpful for long-term capacity planning.

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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

"The compression feature is valuable because it achieves around 80% compression."

"We like that we can easily restore the database with just a few clicks. The database is linked as well."

"I feel the solution to be a bit faster than the traditional methods, which makes it easy to customize."

"I consider the solution very scalable."

"Spotlight provides valuable features such as the ability to get alerted and drill down to a very granular level to find out where actual problems are coming from."

"The tool is a SaaS product where I just need to type a URL and start with the design process. I can integrate all elements of source control like GitHub, GitLab, etc. The tool also supports authentication-related provisions like SSH."

"Its dashboards are most valuable. The drill-down of the dashboards is useful."

"Spotlight provides valuable features such as the ability to get alerted and drill down to a very granular level to find out where actual problems are coming from."

Cons

"We're looking for a solution that can be implemented on AWS. IBM InfoSphere Optim can be implemented on AWS, but it costs more than double what we're currently paying. So, it's not really of good value for us."

"The potential room for improvement for IBM InfoSphere Optim is usually its cost, as it is too expensive."

"While the solution is very supportive of Db2, it is not so friendly when it comes to IMS databases."

"Some customizations of the dashboard, such as having backup reports, would be useful."

"The software does not support webhooks. It doesn't support advanced versions of APIs. The tool also doesn't support advanced versions of specifications. The change that we do in one part of the model is not reflected throughout the specification. There are also some mutations in the clones. I am not able to do a local source control with the product as well."

"There's no reporting with this tool, and there really should be. They should add that into future releases."

"One improvement could be the inclusion of suggestions for missing indexes or better analysis of how indexes are utilized and how execution plans are used, similar to what other products offer."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IBM InfoSphere Optim is a very expensive solution. Actually, it's the most expensive archiving solution that we have."

"Its cost was somewhere in the middle."

"The tool is cloud-based. It is priced well."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

19%

Retailer

Outsourcing Company

Insurance Company

Financial Services Firm

15%

Healthcare Company

13%

Government

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	2
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with IBM InfoSphere Optim?

The potential room for improvement for IBM InfoSphere Optim is usually its cost, as it is too expensive. Currently, there are no issues with IBM InfoSphere Optim; the only problem is the cost, whic...

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What is your primary use case for IBM InfoSphere Optim?

My current use case for IBM InfoSphere Optim is just for doing backups. We are using IBM InfoSphere Optim specifically for backup purposes.

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What advice do you have for others considering IBM InfoSphere Optim?

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What needs improvement with Quest Spotlight?

One improvement could be the inclusion of suggestions for missing indexes or better analysis of how indexes are utilized and how execution plans are used, similar to what other products offer.

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What is your primary use case for Quest Spotlight?

I primarily use Spotlight for on-the-spot troubleshooting and alerting to see if there are any issues. The drill-down features allow me to pinpoint problems, whether they are indexing, long-running...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Quest Spotlight?

I would rate Spotlight probably an nine out of ten. My advice would be to consider its cost-effectiveness and ease of use in smaller environments.

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 25% of the time

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Compared 17% of the time

Solix Enterprise Data Management vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 16% of the time

Archon Data Store vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 11% of the time

SAP Replication Server vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 10% of the time

More IBM InfoSphere Optim Competitors

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Compared 22% of the time

Redgate SQL Toolbelt Essentials vs Spotlight

Compared 11% of the time

IDERA SQL Inventory Manager vs Spotlight

Compared 11% of the time

SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer vs Spotlight

Compared 10% of the time

IDERA SQL Diagnostic Manager for SQL Server vs Spotlight

Compared 8% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Database Development and Management

December 2025

Download IBM InfoSphere Optim product report

Buyer's Guide

Database Development and Management

December 2025

Download Spotlight product report

Also Known As

IBM Optim, Optim

Dell Spotlight

Overview

IBM Optim solutions manage data from requirements to retirement. They boost performance, empower collaboration, and improve governance across applications, databases and platforms. By managing data properly over its lifetime, organisations are better equipped to support business goals with less risk.

IBM

Spotlight efficiently facilitates database monitoring, performance tuning, and troubleshooting with features that enhance problem isolation and long-term capacity planning. While valuable for API development, improvements in virtualization support and pricing could elevate its appeal.

Spotlight empowers users with capabilities such as alerting processes and comprehensive dashboards, making it an essential asset in analyzing historical data and time monitoring to identify problems. It integrates seamlessly with source control like GitHub and supports authentication, streamlining design processes and facilitating root cause analysis with drill-down capabilities. Primarily used for identifying indexing, long-running processes, and other performance issues, Spotlight aids API design through its daily monitoring capabilities, ensuring smooth operations. It currently has room for enhancements, particularly in support for Hyper-V virtualization overhead, webhooks, and API advancements. Pricing adjustments and improvements in custom dashboards, especially for backup reports, would increase user satisfaction.

What are Spotlight's key features?

Alerting Processes: Swiftly identifies issues with real-time notifications.
Ease of Setup: Simple integration with existing systems.
Comprehensive Dashboards: Offers a clear analysis of system performance.
Historical Data Analysis: Helps in problem identification and anomaly detection.
Drill-Down Capabilities: Enhances problem isolation and root cause analysis.

What benefits can users expect from Spotlight?

Problem Detection: Quick identification of issues improves system performance.
Efficiency in Capacity Planning: Supports long-term infrastructure management.
Seamless Integration: Works well with tools like GitHub to streamline processes.
Enhanced API Development: Aids in creating quality APIs with proper documentation.

Companies in diverse sectors utilize Spotlight for its robust database monitoring and problem-solving capabilities. Its integration with tools like GitHub allows software development teams to streamline processes. Finance and tech industries leverage its performance tuning features to ensure optimal database operations, while organizations focused on API development benefit significantly from its detailed monitoring and alerting functionalities.

Quest Software

Sample Customers

Durham Police Department, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Continental, KCE Electronics Public Company Limited, The University of Adelaide, Migros Zurich, COPROB

Jenkon

Buyer's Guide

IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. Spotlight

December 2025

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