What is most valuable?
To begin with, it’s got a simple to use yet robust GUI. It’s so easy to connect to any database, and it can connect to heterogeneous DB’s including flat-files.
Querying could not be any easier (Query Builder), as well as learning an optimistic way of writing a query that is generated after selection from simple drag and drop. The wide variety of selections it offers, from data analysis, entity relationships, highlighting reserved words to help understand the query easily, drop-down to pick tables, column names, and explaining the plan for performance tuning the Query and many more are also valuable.
How has it helped my organization?
We used it extensively for data profiling, database management, data modelling, and data quality checks, apart from few other features. So, every time we needed to debug error in data, Toad proved extensively handy. Reusable queries help in faster debugging, and the data management has saved us a lot of time and money.
What needs improvement?
Although a lot of people get deceived by the name “Data Analysis”, it has capacity of any enterprise tool, but not to the point of creating multiple pipes in one integrated work-flow, batching the work-flows and running them parallel for data loads.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used it for about three years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
I did not use Toad for any code or data deployment.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No. It is a very stable and high capacity tool. At one point, I could have 10 query windows open and would be connected to three databases at the same time, and not have a sign of instability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No. Toad can handle large volumes of data with ease, helps maneuver around result data sets by click of mouse and it’s instantaneous with results.
How are customer service and support?
Customer Service:
Personally I have never had the need to call customer service. Most of the features I used were self-explanatory, and so understanding it was very easy.
Technical Support:
I have not had the need to call tech support either. I've never had any issues that required approaching Toad tech support, but I’m sure given the reputation, it must be good. Even if there was a problem, the error log is pretty simple to understand, and figure out what caused the problem.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used SwisSQL data migration 5.0 and Oracle Developer. I wanted to connect to different databases, and be able to query across them, and Toad was perfect for that.
How was the initial setup?
It was extremely easy to install, and once installed, I just needed a few things to connect to database, and I was all set. Very efficient tool.
What about the implementation team?
It was done in-house. I used it in two different organizations, and both places had it already set up.
What was our ROI?
Toad is 100% value for money product. Especially for the features it offers vs. the price, it is totally worth it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
If I have to manage a data warehouse project, Toad would be my first pick given the pricing it offers for the features. And, from a start-up to a large scale company, from five to 100 licenses, the pricing is a golden bargain.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
- i-Series Navigator
- Oracle Developer
- SQL Plus
- SQL Pro
What other advice do I have?
For any organization looking for a clean and robust all-in-one data tool, Toad is a good product to choose. There are a lot of tools in the market that promise a lot of things, but you will not be disappointed using Toad.
*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
