IBM InfoSphere Optim vs SQL Sentry comparison

IBM and SQL Sentry are both solutions in the Database Development and Management category. IBM is ranked #15 with an average rating of 7.0, while SQL Sentry is ranked #11. IBM holds a 2.6% mindshare in DDM, compared to SQL Sentry’s 5.8% mindshare. Additionally, 75% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 66% of SQL Sentry users who would recommend it.

IBM InfoSphere Optim

Read 4 IBM InfoSphere Optim reviews

545 Views
223 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

SQL Sentry

Read 2 SQL Sentry reviews

690 Views
540 Comparison Views

66% willing to recommend

IBM InfoSphere Optim

SQL Sentry

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 23, 2025

IBM InfoSphere Optim and SQL Sentry compete in the data management and optimization category. SQL Sentry has the upper hand with its advanced capabilities, offering significant long-term ROI.

Features: IBM InfoSphere Optim offers efficient data archiving, masking, and test data management with comprehensive data lifecycle management. SQL Sentry provides superior monitoring and performance tuning features that facilitate database performance optimization and deliver in-depth insights for administrators.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SQL Sentry is noted for its straightforward setup and accessible customer support. IBM InfoSphere Optim requires extensive planning and resources, making it more complex in deployment.

Pricing and ROI: IBM InfoSphere Optim appeals to budget-conscious buyers with its lower initial costs. SQL Sentry, despite higher upfront expenses, provides better long-term ROI through enhanced productivity and performance improvements.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. SQL Sentry Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. SQL Sentry

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:

Categories and Ranking

IBM InfoSphere Optim

Ranking in Database Development and Management

15th

Average Rating

6.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SQL Sentry

Ranking in Database Development and Management

11th

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Database Development and Management category, the mindshare of IBM InfoSphere Optim is 2.6%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SQL Sentry is 5.8%, up from 5.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

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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Steve McCubbin

Sql Db Administrator at a non-tech company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Lets you know when your jobs are taking longer than average and allows you to go back in history and find out what was happening at certain times

To be able to go back in history and find out what was happening at certain times is the most valuable feature of the product. Another thing that's good about the product is that it will let you know when your jobs are taking longer than average so that you can foretell that there's going to be an issue coming up. Your SQL agent job is taking longer.

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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."

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

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

"This solution has identified blocking, deadlock, memory pressure, and high CPU consumption issues."

"To be able to go back in history and find out what was happening at certain times is the most valuable feature of the product."

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."

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

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

"There could be some more metrics on the high availability to let us know when there are issues synchronizing between the hosts."

"If we can get details on wait types from system views, it will help identify a more detailed root cause."

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"It's fairly expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

26%

Insurance Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Healthcare Company

Computer Software Company

13%

Healthcare Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

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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Comparisons

Informatica Data Archive vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 47% of the time

Solix Enterprise Data Management vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 28% of the time

Oracle Enterprise Manager vs IBM InfoSphere Optim

Compared 26% of the time

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Compared 65% of the time

IDERA SQL Diagnostic Manager for SQL Server vs SQL Sentry

Compared 10% of the time

Quest Spotlight vs SQL Sentry

Compared 10% of the time

Quest Foglight for Databases vs SQL Sentry

Compared 10% of the time

Redgate SQL Toolbelt Essentials vs SQL Sentry

Compared 6% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Database Development and Management

May 2025

Download IBM InfoSphere Optim product report

Buyer's Guide

Database Development and Management

May 2025

Download SQL Sentry product report

Also Known As

IBM Optim, Optim

No data available

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

SentryOne is the most capable, scalable platform for enterprise data performance management, from development through production. We empower Microsoft database professionals with the best solutions for developing, testing, documenting, and monitoring the Microsoft Data Platform.

SQL Sentry

Sample Customers

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

Coeo, Stack Overflow, GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation, Hawaiian Airlines, Hennepin County Medical Center, Racing Victoria, Citrix, Insight, Shi, Woodforest National Bank, Telular

Buyer's Guide

IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. SQL Sentry

June 2025

Free Report: IBM InfoSphere Optim vs. SQL Sentry

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