Apex SQL Doc vs. Pragmatic Works BI Documenter

  • I have used Apex SQL Doc but I have not used Pragmatic Works BI Documenter. How do the two products compare? Which one is better?

  • Below is the breakdown of major features comparing both products.

    ===================================

    Features Common in ApexSQL and BIDocumenter:

    ===================================

    Document SQL Server =======> Both has this feature

    Document SSIS =======> Both has this feature ... but BIDocumenter beats ApexSQL in this one because of it creates screenshots of ControlFlow and DataFlow this is really kool feature in BIDocumenter. It also Displays List of Variables and Connection in the same Screenshot

    Object Filtering =======> Both has this feature

    Output Formats =======> Both has same formats.. CHM and HTML

    Customize Look and Feel =======> Both has same options

    Commandline option=======> Both has this feature .... but BIDocumenter is better becuase they provide GUI to create commandline so you dont have to remember all options.

    ===================================

    Features only available in BIDocumenter:

    ===================================

    Document SSAS =======> Only in BIDocumenter

    Document SSRS =======> Only in BIDocumenter

    Diagram Editor =======> Only in BIDocumenter : Create your own Diagram and Attch with your final output

    Attach Additional Files =======> Only in BIDocumenter : Attach Project documents or any Files related to documentation inside CHM file.

    Document Sharing Across Team =======> Only BIDocumenter has this (It stores snapshot in SQL Server Database so anybody in team can produce CHM file in few seconds without accessing Databases to document)

    Data Profiling =======> Only in BIDocumenter : This feature optionally tells you How many unique, min, max and nulls you have in your tables for each columns

    Best Practices Scan =======> Only in BIDocumenter

    Creating Custom Diagrams =======> Only BIDocumenter has this

    Impact Analysis =======> Only BIDocumenter has this (Visually analyze Impact across all 4 BI stacks (SQL,IS,AS and RS)... The only tool available in the market right now)

    Snapshot Compare =======> Only BIDocumenter has this (This is like SQL Diff where you can track and compare schema changes)

    ===================================

    Features only available in ApexSQL:

    ===================================

    Extended Property Editor =======> Right now only ApexSQL has this but BIDocumenter is adding even better version of MetaData Editor coming so0on in v4.5 which will support not only metadata editing of SQL Server but SSAS, RS and IS objects too.

    Document System Objects =======> Only in ApexSQL

    ===================================

    Other factors to consider

    ===================================

    Cost =======> ApexSQL can save few bucks but you will have to give up many other features BIDocumenter has to offer.

    Support and Upgrades =======> BIDocumenter beats Apex in this category

    BIDocumenter Support Options : Via Email, Phone, Webmeeting and Live Chat

    ApexSQL : Via Email and Forums

    Company Profile =======>

    PragamticWorks : Products Development, Training, QuickStarts, Consulting

    ApexSQL : Products Development

    I hope this helps 🙂

  • To be fair to the owners of this forum (Red Gate), they have a comparable product too.

    I've used it and the Apex tool, and both will get the job done efficiently and effectively. Haven't used the PWBI product, so can't really comment on that.

    Since the second post here reads like it was written by a Pragmatic Works salesperson, I'd check with ApexSQL and Red Gate to get their people's takes on the comparison before counting that post as anything other than a marketing piece.

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  • This is excellent information, thanks!

  • Since I work for Red Gate, here's SQL Doc:

    http://www.red-gate.com/products/SQL_Doc/index.htm

    I think most of them have evals. I'd give them a try and pick the one that works best for you out of the box.

  • InfoLibrarian released a new Team Edition of the leading metadata management tool.

    There's an adapter for SQL,SSIS,SSRS,SSAS

    Check out the free trial and let us know what you think?

    The Product provides a rich web portal with search and impact analysis capabilities as well as near real-time synchronization of metadata.

    captures full SQL Stack and more including source code, and more.

    http://www.infolibcorp.com

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