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SAP IQ Reviews

Vendor: SAP
3.9 out of 5
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What is SAP IQ?

SAP IQ, with its columnar architecture, provides high-performance data solutions. It excels at data warehousing and business intelligence, managing vast data efficiently, and supports fast query execution along with easy maintenance.

Get the SAP IQ Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about SAP IQ, Teradata, SQL Server and more!
SAP IQ is the #14 ranked solution in top Data Warehouse solutions and #23 ranked solution in top Relational Databases. PeerSpot users give SAP IQ an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. SAP IQ is most commonly compared to Teradata: SAP IQ vs Teradata. SAP IQ is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 59% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 31% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
SAP IQ
April 2026
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SAP IQ mindshare

Product category:
Relational Databases Tools
As of May 2026, the mindshare of SAP IQ in the Relational Databases Tools category stands at 2.0%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Relational Databases Tools Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
SAP IQ2.0%
Oracle Database10.9%
SQL Server10.7%
Other76.4%
Relational Databases Tools

PeerResearch reports based on SAP IQ reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryRelational Databases ToolsMay 4, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersMay 4, 2026Download
ComparisonSAP IQ vs SQL ServerMay 4, 2026Download
ComparisonSAP IQ vs Oracle DatabaseMay 4, 2026Download
ComparisonSAP IQ vs SAP HANAMay 4, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Teradata4.14.1%88%83 interviewsAdd to research
SQL Server4.210.7%93%274 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

SAP IQ users value its exceptional query speed and data compression, enabled by its columnar architecture. They highlight its ease of deployment and usability, alongside its ability to efficiently handle large data volumes and support for petabyte-scale data warehousing. The in-memory storage options, high transaction capabilities, and impressive compression ratio are significant, with seamless integration with SAP BusinessObjects mentioned. Users also appreciate the product's unique indexed approach for quick data retrieval.
  • "With IQ, a transaction that previously took three days to execute can now be completed in thirty seconds."
  • "But I do not think that other products really have an advantage for warehousing over the SAP IQ solution."
  • "Save for a 100% guarantee, you will get the performance you are looking for with SAP IQ."

Room for Improvement

SAP IQ requires enhancements in several areas such as error messaging, backup solutions, and stability as databases occasionally freeze. Training remains expensive, unbeknownst to most. Marketing efforts are inadequate and integration with Hadoop is lacking, despite potential benefits. Concurrency and functional operations face issues, while the DBA interface is not user-friendly. High costs pose challenges, especially without widespread support. Moreover, identifying high CPU queries is difficult due to limited diagnostic tools.
  • "The only negative aspect of IQ is the cost, which can be challenging for companies in Peru."
  • "Technical support for the product has become almost nonexistent for this product."
  • "It's too complex. This is concerning something that will change immediately."

ROI

SAP IQ ROI feedback highlights various experiences. Some found the return very high, noting low implementation and maintenance costs. Others experienced significant hardware cost savings in the tens of thousands of dollars. One source mentioned it is worthwhile to invest in SAP IQ. However, not all calculated the exact return, and another estimated the ROI at about 60%. Authorization limits prevented some from discussing reselling or stating specific ROI outcomes.

Pricing

SAP IQ users emphasize the importance of negotiating pricing based on required features. They mention the need for simplified license classifications, particularly for core/store numbers. Pricing generally comprises a standard licensing fee and potentially costly add-ons, notably partitioning. SAP IQ's licensing is seen as competitively priced, often less than other RDBMS products, with implementation costs around $3,000. Enterprises are advised to understand performance, backup, and space requirements to evaluate licensing options effectively.
  • "The cost of implementation is about $3,000."
  • "It's not that costly. So, the pricing is cheap."
  • "The only costs after standard licensing fees are for add-ons and upgrades."

Popular Use Cases

SAP IQ is utilized for data warehousing and business intelligence, serving as secondary storage for SAP systems and enabling fast reporting by handling large data volumes. It's integral to projects involving database creation, data migration, and networking tool testing. Users employ SAP IQ within a Software-as-a-Service architecture, forming the base for SAP BusinessObjects, and focus on enterprise data warehousing. Military collaborations and other sectors recognize its efficiency and transactional capabilities.

Service and Support

Customer service of SAP IQ is generally considered good, with some noting efficient global support and smooth transitions across time zones. However, others mention the need for improvement and a lack of specialists. Technical support varies, receiving mixed feedback; some users report inadequate experience and delayed responses. Issues with staff shortages and insufficient expertise are noted, although certain users appreciate knowledge base support for known problems, rating it between 6 and 10 out of 10.

Deployment

SAP IQ's initial setup is generally straightforward and easy, though some documentation can be confusing. Storage configuration often presents the main challenge. Simplex setup is simpler, while Multiplex can be more complex initially. There have been complaints about limited documentation and platform differences requiring familiarization. On the positive side, the setup process has improved over time, with many consider it easy to manage. Installation speed varies with version and platform used.

Scalability

SAP IQ efficiently scales by adding CPUs or nodes without extensive reorganization. Its architecture supports scalability to very large databases. Multiplex and Simplex options allow expanding read/write loads across nodes. Some mention limitations with Multiplex, but others find scalability straightforward across servers. Expanding storage and adjusting to diverse enterprise needs is feasible. Scalability is possible on both PCs and servers. Users value its ease and capacity for large deployments.

Stability

Recent versions of SAP IQ are noted for improved stability. Users report it running well under high data loads, managing millions of transactions without problems. Earlier versions had crashing issues, but the situation has improved significantly with current updates. Some faced minor instability needing technical support, often due to external factors like integration issues or resource constraints. Feedback indicates satisfaction with its stability when used properly and patched correctly.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our SAP IQ Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business3
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise15
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business61
Midsize Enterprise38
Large Enterprise145
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
31%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Healthcare Company
8%
Outsourcing Company
6%
Manufacturing Company
5%
Computer Software Company
4%
Retailer
4%
Educational Organization
3%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Government
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Marketing Services Firm
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Construction Company
2%
Insurance Company
2%
Non Profit
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Mining And Metals Company
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Religious Institution
1%
Transportation Company
1%
Media Company
1%
University
1%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%
Real Estate/Law Firm
1%

Compare SAP IQ with alternative products

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Learn more about SAP IQ

SAP IQ offers a powerful platform for scalable data warehousing, handling petabyte-scale workloads with ease. Its columnar architecture ensures high performance, leveraging compression to optimize storage and speed up queries. Designed for concurrent access, it enables rapid data loading, crucial for insights in business intelligence and analytics. While acknowledged for its data handling prowess, areas such as backup solutions, metadata consistency, and integration with Hadoop require enhancements. Users also anticipate improvements in stability, error messaging, and documentation to maximize SAP IQ's potential.

What are the key features of SAP IQ?
  • Columnar architecture: Enhances performance and compression, optimizing both storage and queries.
  • Data warehousing: Allows efficient management of petabyte-scale data for easy access and analysis.
  • Concurrency support: Handles multiple users seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted data processing.
  • Rapid data loading: Facilitates quick integration of data from flat files into the system.
  • Patented indices: Offers fast response times, vital for timely business insights and analytics.
What benefits and ROI can be expected from SAP IQ?
  • High performance: Fast query execution results in quicker decision-making processes.
  • Scalability: Supports growth, handling larger datasets as business needs evolve.
  • Data efficiency: Compression reduces storage costs while maintaining data accessibility.
  • Business intelligence: Enables comprehensive data analysis, crucial for informed strategic planning.

SAP IQ is implemented across many industries for secondary storage in SAP systems and as a core component in data warehousing and business intelligence solutions. It supports large-scale reporting, data migration, and serves as a backbone for SAP BusinessObjects platforms, proving essential in environments like military collaborations and enterprise transactions.

SAP IQ was previously known as Sybase IQ.

SAP IQ customers

ASR Group, Citrix, State of Indiana, PocketCard Co. Ltd.

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Relational Databases Tools
Data Warehouse

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SAP IQ Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Tech Director at a computer software company with 1,001-5,000 employees3.5I’ve used SAP IQ for nearly 10 years; it integrates well with SAP BusinessObjects and scales efficiently, but error messaging, locking, and support need improvement. Overall, it works, though it's expensive and support lacks deep product knowledge.
Tech Lead, Database Section. at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees3.0I use SAP IQ for our enterprise data warehouse and appreciate its impressive compression and fast data retrieval, though it lacks integrated backups, has limited CPU query tracking, and an admin interface that's not very user-friendly.
Manager at Capgemini3.5I use SAP IQ mainly for reporting purposes, benefiting from its columnar database structure for efficient data retrieval and analysis. However, I notice a decline in its usage, as many customers transition to alternatives like SAP HANA and AWS solutions.
Systems Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees4.5I found IQ to be an excellent, high-performance, and very stable database that drastically improved transaction times. Setup is easy. My main issues are its high cost and poor local customer service, particularly in Peru.
Manager, SAP Basis at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company3.5We use SAP IQ as a secondary storage solution for our SAP systems, leveraging its ability to manage data overflow from SAP HANA by archiving it. The solution integrates best with SAP products, and we deploy it on Amazon Web Services.
Member of Technical Staff at HCL Technologies3.5I use SAP IQ to secure and install databases, appreciating its support for many concurrent users and Petabyte-scale data warehousing. It's easy to learn but sometimes experiences database freezes during testing, which needs improvement.
Systems Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees4.5I implemented databases and migrated data using SAP IQ, a high-performance columnar database with excellent transactional capabilities due to its data compression and indexing. However, its cost can be challenging, especially considering Peru's economic conditions.
Snr DBA at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees4.0I find SAP IQ excellent for data warehousing, valuing its speed, compression, and scalability. While stable and easy to set up, SAP's poor support and lack of development are major drawbacks, making me question its future despite its strong features.