The 15 Best Data Virtualisation Tools: Which One to Choose?

Imagine a bustling city where every street represents a different source of valuable information. Navigating this city can be overwhelming, but what if you had a magical map that seamlessly connected all these streets, giving you instant access to everything you need? This is the power of data virtualisation.

In today's data-driven world, organisations are like explorers seeking hidden treasures within their data. Understanding the Benefits of Virtualisation helps them realise how Data Virtualisation Tools act as that magical map, allowing them to effortlessly access and integrate data from diverse sources. Read this blog to dive deep into the top-15 Data Visualisation Tools for both businesses and individuals.

Table of Contents 

1) What is Data Visualisation

2) Top 15 Data Virtualisation Tools 

   a) Denodo 

   b) Stone Bond Enterprise Enabler 

   c) Informatica-PowerCenter 

   d) AtScale 

   e) Data Virtuality 

   f) Actifio 

   g) CData Software 

   h) Datameer 

   i) TIBCO Data Virtualisation 

   j) IBM Cloud Pak for Data 

   k) IBM Virtual Data Pipeline 

   l) Red Hat 

   m) Oracle 

   n) SAP Hana 

   o) SAS 

3) Is Docker a Virtualisation Tool?

4) What Are The Benefits of Using Data Virtualisation Tools?

5) Conclusion 

What is Data Visualisation?

Data virtualisation is a technique that creates an abstract layer over your data sources, enabling seamless access to data without needing to know exactly where or how it's stored. You can consider it as a middle person that lets you perform data access from multiple places without needing to know the data storage details. It pulls together data from various sources and presents it as a unified virtual view without physically moving or replicating the data. 

Through data virtualisation, you can access data seamlessly from different sources. These include Databases, Cloud storage, and other platforms without needing integration or replication. This means you don't have to worry about each source’s different formats, which saves you plenty of time and effort.

Top 15 Data Virtualisation Tools 

Here is a list of the top Data Virtualisation Tools that are currently available: 

1) Denodo

Denodo is a data virtualisation leader in the business. It offers a powerful and flexible platform to transform data access and integration. Here are some of the key aspects of Denodo's capabilities and widespread benefits:

a) Simplifies Data Integration: Denodo creates a logical data abstraction layer, allowing users to access and perform data from various sources seamlessly. These include databases, Cloud services, and big data repositories.

b) Harmonises Data Silos: Denodo excels at data silos harmonisation, redundancy reduction, and data consistency enhancement, ensuring a unified data view. 

c) Supports Self-Service Analytics: Denodo's agile data virtualisation platform supports self-service analytics. This enables users to perform data access and analysis in an independent manner, further accelerating the delivery of the data.

d) Enhances Decision-Making: By providing data access in real-time, Denodo empowers organisations to swiftly make data-driven decisions, minimising the costly data replication and storage needs.

e) Scalable and High-Performance: Denodo is ideal for enterprises seeking a scalable, high-performance solution to efficiently navigate the intricate data ecosystem.

f)  Commitment to Innovation: The data virtualisation expertise, combined with a continuous innovational commitment, positions it as a formidable contender in the ever-evolving arena of data management.

 

 

2) Stone Bond Enterprise Enabler 

Stone Bond Enterprise Enabler is a comprehensive data virtualisation solution that empowers organisations to break down data silos, simplify access to data, and make informed decisions on the basis of a unified data view landscape. Here are some key aspects of its capabilities:

a) Unify Diverse Sources Data: One of its standout features is its ability to unify data from diverse levels of sources, whether in on-premises databases, cloud services, or hybrid environments. This ensures that users can have the information access they need without worrying about the data format or location.

b) Data Transformation Excel: Enterprise Enabler excels in its data transformation capabilities. This enables users to do data analytics and reporting. Moreover, its user-friendly interface and visual data mapping tools make it accessible to a wide range of users, ranging from data analysts to business users.

c) Versatile and User-Friendly: This versatility ensures that everyone can efficiently work with data, regardless of their technical expertise. This user-friendly interface of tools and visual data mapping tools makes it accessible to a wide range of users.

d) Prioritises Data Security and Governance: Moreover, this tool prioritises data security and governance, ensuring the protectiveness and compliance with regulatory requirements for sensitive information.

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3) Informatica-PowerCenter 

Informatica PowerCenter is a leading data virtualization tool known for its robust data integration and transformation capabilities. For organisations evaluating different options, it stands as one of the Boomi Alternatives, offering comprehensive solutions for seamless data management across various platforms. Here are some key aspects of its functionality:

a) ETL Process Facilitation: At its core, Informatica PowerCenter performs the Extract facilitation and Transform Load (ETL) process. This allows organisations to extract data efficiently from various sources, transform it to meet specific needs and load it into target systems.  

b) Scalability and Versatility: One of PowerCenter's standout features is its scalability and versatility. It can handle massive volumes of data, making it enterprise-friendly and dealing with diverse data sources and complex integration requirements.

c) Data Quality and Governance: Informatica PowerCenter is renowned for its quality of data and capabilities for governance. This ensures the accuracy, consistency, and compliancy of the integrated data with the rules and regulations of the business. 

4) AtScale

AtScale is a leading Data Virtualisation Tool that empowers organisations to harness the full data potential without the traditional Data Warehousing complexities. Here are some key aspects of its functionality:

a) Simplifies Data Access and Analysis: AtScale's primary mission is to make easily data accessibility and analysis by creating a semantic layer for underlying data sources abstraction. These include big data platforms, Data Lakes, and Cloud Data Warehouses.

b) Provides a Unified View of Data: One of AtScale's standout features is its ability to provide a unified view of data across multiple platforms and formats, ensuring consistency and accuracy in reporting and analytics. By creating a virtual data model, AtScale allows users to query data as if it were in a single source, regardless of where it resides.

c) Improves Query Performance and Optimisation: AtScale excels in improving query performance and optimisation. It intelligently caches query results, reducing the load on source systems and delivering faster responses to users' queries.

d) Ensures Security and Governance: Moreover, AtScale offers security and governance features, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected and compliant with regulatory requirements.

5) Data Virtuality 

Data Virtuality is a powerful Data Virtualisation Tool designed to simplify the complex world of data integration and access. Here are some key aspects of its functionality:

a) Emphasis on Agility and Efficiency: Data Virtuality provides organisations with a unified and real-time view of their data, regardless of its source or format. This emphasis on agility and efficiency makes it a valuable asset for businesses.

b) Connects to a Wide Array of Data Sources: One of the standouts features of Data Virtuality is its ability to connect to a wide array of data sources, including databases, Cloud services, APIs, and more. This versatility helps streamline data management processes and improve decision-making.

c) Creates Virtual Data Models and Queries: With Data Virtuality, data engineers and analysts can create virtual data models and queries without time-consuming data replication. This saves storage space and ensures users access to the most up-to-date information.

d) Offers Robust Security Features: Data Virtuality offers robust security features, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected throughout the integration process. Its user-friendly interface and strong support for SQL make it a favourite among data professionals.

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6) Actifio 

Actifio is a leading data virtualisation and platform for copy data management that revolutionises how organisations manage, access, and protect their data. Here are some key aspects of its functionality:

a) Eliminates Data Silos: Founded on the principle of eliminating data silos, Actifio makes data readily available for various purposes, offering a comprehensive suite of data management solutions.

b) Innovative Copy Data Management: At the core of Actifio's capabilities is its innovative approach to copy data management. Through data copy virtualisation and making them accessible for instant development, testing, analytics, and recovery of disasters, Actifio reduces data storage costs and enhances data utilisation efficiency.

c) Simplifies Large Dataset Management: Actifio's data virtualisation technology simplifies large dataset management, allowing organisations to derive more value from their data assets. It also provides a unified data integration, storage, and protection platform. eliminating the multiple disparate tools needs.

d) Accelerates Application Development: With Actifio, businesses can accelerate application development, improve data analytics, and ensure the optimal availability of data and recovery in emergencies. Its versatility and efficiency make it an organisational asset for those who are looking to harness the data power while streamlining data management processes.

7) CData Software 

CData Software is a leading data virtualisation domain leader. It specialises in the development of connectors and drivers that bridge the gap between various data sources and applications. Here are some key aspects of its functionality:

a) Simplifies Data Integration: With a strong focus on simplifying data integration, CData Software offers a comprehensive range of solutions to facilitate data flow across different platforms.

b) Vast Library of Connectors: One of the standout features of CData Software is its vast library of connectors, covering an extensive array of data sources, from databases like SQL Server and Oracle to Cloud applications such as Salesforce and QuickBooks. These connectors provide a smooth and uniform way to interact with diverse data sources.

c) Supports Multiple Programming Languages: CData's commitment to versatility extends to its support for a wide range of programming languages and environments, including .NET, Java, Python, and more. This flexibility empowers developers and data professionals to integrate data into their applications efficiently.

d) Enhances Analytics and Decision-Making: In a data-driven world where seamless data integration is crucial, CData Software is a valuable ally, offering tools that simplify complex integration tasks and pave the way for enhanced analytics, reporting, and decision-making.

8) Datameer

Datameer is a leading platform in data virtualisation and analytics designed to help organisations fully leverage their data. With its user-friendly interface and robust integration capabilities, Datameer ensures seamless access, transformation, and analysis of diverse datasets.

a) Data Preparation and Exploration: Datameer excels in simplifying the complex data integration process, allowing users to easily combine data from various sources. This capability is crucial in today's fast-paced, data-driven environment where quick, informed decision-making is essential.

b) Self-Service Analytics: The platform supports self-service analytics, enabling users to derive insights without extensive IT involvement. It provides an intuitive environment for data exploration, visualisation, and reporting, empowering users to uncover valuable patterns and trends within their data.

c) Adaptability and Scalability: Datameer's adaptability and scalability make it suitable for various industries and use cases, from financial services to healthcare. This flexibility is vital as organisations manage ever-growing volumes of data.

d) Efficient and Agile Solution: As a valuable tool for data-driven excellence, Datameer offers an efficient and agile solution for data integration, preparation, and analytics. This helps organisations stay competitive and responsive to market demands.

9) TIBCO Data Virtualisation 

TIBCO Data Virtualisation is a powerful solution for data integration and virtualisation, known for its agility and scalability. It enables organisations to create a unified, real-time view of their data landscape, regardless of the disparate sources.

a) Swift Data Integration: TIBCO Data Virtualisation excels in integrating data from various databases, applications, and Cloud services quickly. This eliminates the need for laborious data replication or ETL processes, allowing businesses to make informed decisions promptly and accelerating their time-to-insight.

b) Robust Security Measures: The platform offers robust security measures to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. Its advanced caching mechanisms enhance query performance, delivering real-time results for analytics and reporting.

c) Comprehensive Metadata Management: TIBCO Data Virtualisation provides a comprehensive metadata management system, enabling users to discover and understand the data they are working with. This supports data governance practices, ensuring data quality and compliance with regulatory requirements.

d) Valuable Asset for Organisations: As a valuable asset, TIBCO Data Virtualisation helps organisations harness the power of their data quickly and efficiently. This capability is crucial for staying competitive in today's data-driven landscape.

10) IBM Cloud Pak for Data 

IBM Cloud Pak for Data is a comprehensive data virtualisation and management platform designed to empower organisations in their data-driven journey. It offers a wide range of capabilities to efficiently collect, organise, and analyse data from various sources, both on-premises and in the Cloud.

a) Key Features: IBM Cloud Pak for Data includes data virtualisation, data governance, data integration, data preparation, and advanced analytics. It enables users to create a unified view of their data, making it easier to access and analyse critical information without complex data movement or duplication.

b) Hybrid Multi-cloud Support: One of its standout features is its ability to support hybrid multi-cloud environments. This allows businesses to harness the power of data from various sources, regardless of where it resides.

c) Data Security and Compliance: IBM Cloud Pak for Data prioritises data security and compliance, ensuring that sensitive information is protected and that organisations can meet regulatory requirements.

d) Empowering Data Professionals: With its user-friendly interface and robust tools, IBM Cloud Pak for Data empowers data professionals to uncover insights, make informed decisions, and drive innovation within their organisations. It is a versatile solution for streamlining data integration, improving data governance, and enhancing analytics capabilities.

11) IBM Virtual Data Pipeline 

IBM Virtual Data Pipeline is a robust data virtualisation solution that empowers organisations to streamline data access and management across complex, hybrid, multi-cloud environments. It provides a unified and secure view of data from various sources, making it invaluable for modern data-driven enterprises.

a) Key Features: IBM Virtual Data Pipeline includes data virtualisation, data replication, data cataloguing, and data masking. These capabilities enable businesses to access, integrate, and manage data efficiently, ensuring that insights are derived from accurate and up-to-date information.

b) Flexibility in Supporting Data Sources: One of the significant advantages of IBM Virtual Data Pipeline is its flexibility in supporting various data sources, including on-premises databases, Cloud platforms, and data lakes. This flexibility is crucial in today's data landscape, where data resides in diverse locations.

c) Security and Compliance: IBM's strong commitment to security and compliance is reflected in this tool, making it suitable for industries with stringent data governance requirements. It ensures data privacy and protection through features like data encryption and access control.

d) Optimising Data Utilisation: The IBM Virtual Data Pipeline is pivotal in optimising data utilisation, accelerating decision-making, and fostering innovation within organisations. It aligns seamlessly with IBM's broader portfolio of data and AI solutions, making it an asset for businesses looking to harness the full potential of their data assets.

12) Red Hat

IBM Red Hat offers a comprehensive suite of data virtualisation solutions that cater to the evolving needs of organisations in a data-driven world. Known for open-source innovation and reliability, Red Hat provides robust tools for data access and integration.

 

a) Empowering Data Access and Integration: Red Hat's Data Virtualisation Tools enable businesses to access and integrate data from various sources, including on-premises, Cloud, and hybrid environments. This capability is invaluable in today's complex IT landscapes, where data resides in diverse systems.

b) Integration With Open-Source Technologies: One of Red Hat's key offerings is its integration with open-source technologies like Kubernetes. This enhances scalability and flexibility in managing and accessing data, ensuring that data virtualisation can adapt to the ever-changing demands of modern businesses.

c) Security and Governance: Red Hat's solutions emphasise security and governance, ensuring that data remains protected and compliant with regulatory standards. This focus on security makes it suitable for industries with stringent data governance requirements.

d) User-Friendly Interfaces: The platform's user-friendly interfaces make it accessible to a wide range of users, from data scientists to business analysts. This accessibility helps organisations drive better insights and decision-making processes.

13) Oracle 

Oracle is a heavyweight in data management, and its data virtualisation solutions are no exception. Oracle Data Virtualisation allows organisations to create a unified view of their data from disparate sources, making it easier to access and analyse data in real-time.

a) Reducing Data Integration Complexity: With Oracle Data Virtualisation, businesses can reduce data integration complexity by eliminating the need to move or replicate data physically. It provides a virtual layer that enables seamless access to data from various databases, applications, and formats, enhancing agility.

b) High Performance, Scalability, and Security: One of Oracle Data Virtualisation's strengths is its ability to deliver high performance, scalability, and security. It supports complex data transformations and offers robust data governance features, ensuring data quality and compliance.

c) Seamless Integration with Oracle Ecosystem: Oracle's extensive ecosystem of products and services means that data virtualisation seamlessly integrates with other Oracle solutions, such as databases, analytics tools, and Cloud services.

d) Comprehensive Solution for Enterprises: For enterprises seeking a comprehensive data virtualisation solution from a trusted industry leader, Oracle Data Virtualisation is a compelling choice. It can streamline data access, analytics, and decision-making processes.

14) SAP Hana 

SAP Hana stands out as a prominent and influential player in data virtualisation. It is not only a Data Virtualisation Tool but also an entire in-memory computing platform designed to handle massive data volumes in real-time.

a) Exceptional Performance: SAP Hana is renowned for its exceptional performance, offering rapid data processing and analytics capabilities. It enables organisations to seamlessly integrate, access, and analyse data from various sources, including databases, applications, and IoT devices, for insightful decision-making.

b) In-Memory Technology: One of SAP Hana's distinguishing features is its in-memory technology, which stores data in RAM. This allows for lightning-fast retrieval and analysis, leading to real-time insights and the ability to make informed decisions on the fly.

c) Advanced Data Modelling and Transformation: SAP Hana provides advanced data modelling and transformation capabilities, making it an ideal choice for organisations with complex data requirements. It supports various programming languages and interfaces, enhancing flexibility and integration options.

d) Broader Capabilities: SAP Hana's data virtualisation capabilities are just one facet of its broader capabilities. It empowers businesses to leverage data as a strategic asset, facilitating real-time analytics, reporting, and decision-making that can propel organisations to new heights of efficiency and competitiveness.

15) SAS 

SAS, a leading player in data virtualisation, stands out as a comprehensive solution for organisations seeking to harness the power of their data. With a rich history in analytics and data management, SAS offers a robust data integration and virtualisation platform.

a) Seamless Connectivity: One of SAS's standout features is its ability to seamlessly connect to various data sources, including structured and unstructured data. This connectivity empowers businesses to consolidate and access data from multiple origins, fostering a unified view of information for analytics and reporting.

b) Reducing Data Redundancy and Complexity: SAS Data Virtualisation allows organisations to reduce data redundancy and complexity, improving data governance and efficiency. By providing a centralised and virtualised layer for data access, SAS ensures that users can access the information they need without the hassle of dealing with data silos.

c) Extensive Analytics Capabilities: SAS's extensive analytics capabilities enable users to access data and derive valuable insights from it. This is particularly beneficial for organisations seeking to make data-driven decisions and optimise their operations.

d) Powerful Asset for Organisations: SAS's Data Virtualisation Tool is a powerful asset for organisations looking to streamline data access, improve data governance, and extract actionable insights from their data. With its rich analytics capabilities and strong connectivity options, SAS remains a trusted choice for businesses worldwide.

Is Docker a Virtualisation Tool?

No, Docker is not a traditional virtualisation tool. Instead, it uses containerisation to virtualise the operating system (OS), allowing applications to run in isolated environments. This method ensures that each application has its own set of dependencies and libraries, which helps in avoiding conflicts.

Moreover, Docker containers share the host OS kernel, making them more lightweight and efficient than virtual machines. This approach enhances performance and resource utilisation, as containers can start up quickly and use fewer resources compared to traditional VMs. Tools like Kubernetes can be used for advanced management and orchestration of containers.

What Are The Benefits of Using Data Virtualisation Tools?

Data Virtualization Tools, often implemented by a Data Integration Architect, allow seamless access to data across various sources, enhancing data integration without requiring physical data movement. These tools reduce the complexity and costs associated with data management, making it easier to handle large volumes of data from different platforms.

Moreover, they enable real-time data access, which significantly enhances decision-making processes. By providing a unified view of data, these tools streamline operations and support more informed business strategies. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that data is always up-to-date and readily available for analysis.

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Conclusion 

The right Data Virtualisation tool can make all the difference in a data-rich environment. These 15 solutions offer diverse data integration, access, and analysis capabilities. Whether you aim to streamline ETL processes, enhance analytics, or simplify data management, exploring these Data Virtualisation Tools can lead to more informed decisions and improved business outcomes. 

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