Trifacta - Detailed Review
Data Tools
Trifacta - Product Overview
Introduction to Alteryx Designer Cloud (formerly Trifacta)
Alteryx Designer Cloud, powered by Trifacta, is a cloud-based data analytics solution that simplifies the process of data preparation, transformation, and analysis. Here’s a breakdown of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Designer Cloud is designed to streamline data operations, enabling users to connect, clean, normalize, and output data efficiently. It focuses on automating much of the data preparation process, making it easier for users to derive insights from their data quickly and accurately.
Target Audience
The target audience for Designer Cloud includes data analysts, IT teams, and line of business users across various industries. It is particularly useful for organizations that need to handle large volumes of data from diverse sources and require a user-friendly, no-code or low-code solution to prepare and analyze this data.
Key Features
No-Code/Low-Code Interface
Designer Cloud offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that allows users to prepare and transform data without needing to write code. This makes it accessible to users of all technical skill levels.
Best-in-Class Connectivity
The platform provides built-in connectivity to over 60 data sources, which can be extended through APIs. This ensures that users can connect to their data regardless of where it resides.
Enterprise Grade
Designer Cloud is built for enterprise use, offering unlimited scalability, built-in governance, and world-class security. It supports deployment in various cloud environments such as AWS, GCP, and Snowflake.
AI/ML Based Suggestions
The platform uses AI and machine learning to provide context-specific suggestions for data transformations. This helps users quickly identify and fix data quality issues and apply transformations with ease.
Collaborative Workflows
Designer Cloud allows real-time collaboration with interactive data samples. Teams can build and iterate on workflows together, leaving notes and annotations, and the platform automatically documents every step of the process.
Performance and Scalability
With cloud-based compute and dynamic orchestration, Designer Cloud offers significant performance gains. It eliminates the need for installations, permissions, and machine limitations, making it scalable from a few users to thousands across the organization.
In summary, Alteryx Designer Cloud powered by Trifacta is a powerful tool that democratizes data analytics by making data preparation and analysis accessible, efficient, and scalable for a wide range of users within an enterprise.
Trifacta - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The interface of Alteryx Designer Cloud features an award-winning drag-and-drop UI that makes it accessible to users regardless of their technical skill level. This no-code/low-code environment allows users to easily drag and drop tools to build workflows, which is similar to the experience offered by Alteryx Designer Desktop.
Ease of Use
Designer Cloud is designed to be easy to use, even for new users. It presents a more manageable set of tools compared to the extensive toolkit available in the Desktop version. This streamlined approach helps users get started quickly, focusing on the most commonly used tools for data prep, blending, and analytics. The interface includes features like AI/ML-based suggestions that guide users through their data transformations, and a data quality bar for visual data profiling, which helps in ensuring the accuracy and quality of datasets.
User Experience
For users accustomed to Alteryx Designer Desktop, the new Standard Mode in Designer Cloud offers a more familiar experience. It includes a broader selection of tools and configurations that mirror those in the Desktop application, making the transition to a cloud-native environment smoother. Users can work with their entire dataset by default, rather than just a sample, which enhances the overall workflow experience.
Additional Features
Designer Cloud also offers responsive data transformations that can scale to any size, leveraging the scalability of cloud data warehouses. Features like smart data samples and pushdown processing enable users to build workflows efficiently without needing to pull entire datasets. The platform supports connections to over 60 data sources and can be deployed in various cloud environments, including AWS, GCP, and Snowflake.
Overall, the user interface and experience of Alteryx Designer Cloud are geared towards providing an intuitive, collaborative, and scalable solution for data preparation and analytics, making it easier for users to achieve faster insights and greater productivity.
Trifacta - Key Features and Functionality
Trifacta Overview
Now integrated into Alteryx as Designer Cloud powered by Trifacta, it offers a suite of powerful features that leverage AI and machine learning to streamline data preparation, transformation, and analysis. Here are the main features and how they work:
Intelligent Data Transformation Engine
This engine uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the structure of raw data, automatically detecting patterns, anomalies, and inconsistencies. This allows users to easily clean and prepare their datasets for analysis by suggesting data cleaning and transformation techniques.
Collaborative Workspace
Trifacta’s collaborative workspace enables teams to work together seamlessly on data projects. Users can share insights, collaborate on data transformations, and track changes in real-time, ensuring everyone is aligned throughout the data preparation process.
Library of Pre-built Transformations
This library includes a wide range of data cleaning and transformation functions that can be easily applied to datasets. These pre-built transformations save users time and effort by providing commonly used functions that can be applied with just a few clicks.
Scalability and Flexibility
Trifacta’s platform is scalable and flexible, allowing users to process large volumes of data quickly and efficiently. It can handle both structured and unstructured data, making it versatile for various data processing tasks.
AI and Machine Learning Integration
Trifacta leverages AI and machine learning in several ways:
Automated Data Preparation
AI automates the data preparation process, reducing the time and effort required to clean and transform datasets.
Predictive Analytics
Machine learning algorithms predict patterns and anomalies in data sets, helping users identify potential errors or inconsistencies.
Real-time Collaboration
AI enables real-time collaboration features, providing a seamless and efficient way for teams to work together on data projects.
Integration with Other Platforms
Trifacta integrates with various data sources and tools, allowing users to access and process data from multiple sources in a unified environment. Key integrations include:
Data Sources
Integration with cloud databases, on-premises systems, and third-party applications.
Analytics and Visualization Tools
Seamless transfer of cleaned and transformed data to tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Apache Spark for further analysis.
Workflow Orchestration Tools
Integration with tools like Apache Airflow or Kubernetes to automate and schedule data processing tasks efficiently.
Project Management Tools
Integration with tools like Jira or Slack to facilitate communication and collaboration among team members.
Cloud Execution and Designer Cloud Features
As part of Alteryx Designer Cloud, Trifacta benefits from additional features such as:
Cloud Execution for Desktop
Allows users to store, schedule, and execute Designer-built workflows in the cloud, supporting major cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
Dual Palette Experience
Users can choose between Cloud Native Mode and Standard Mode in Designer Cloud. Standard Mode includes a more robust selection of tools, while Cloud Native Mode features a smaller set of tools with access to pushdown execution.
These features collectively make Trifacta a powerful tool for data engineering, ensuring high-quality data preparation, efficient collaboration, and seamless integration with other analytics and visualization tools.
Trifacta - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Alteryx Designer Cloud, built on the Trifacta platform, is designed to streamline data preparation, profiling, and pipeline management. Here are some performance aspects:Efficiency in Data Pipelines
The platform allows users to build, deploy, and manage automated data pipelines quickly, which can significantly reduce the time and technical skills required for these tasks.Network and Location Impact
Similar to other Alteryx tools, the performance of workflows in Designer Cloud can be sensitive to network latency and the physical location of the server. Ensuring the server is located close to the data source and has low network latency can improve performance.Resource Utilization
Performance can also be affected by the resources available on the server. Factors such as CPU, RAM, and database drivers used can impact how efficiently workflows run. For instance, a server with insufficient resources can lead to significant performance degradation compared to running workflows locally.Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, Alteryx Designer Cloud offers several features to ensure data quality:Data Profiling and Preparation
The platform provides an interactive and intuitive interface to profile and prepare data, allowing users to assess the content and quality of datasets instantly. This helps in identifying and correcting data issues early on.Real-Time Previews
Users can visualize data transformations and see real-time previews of results, which aids in ensuring the accuracy of the data processing steps.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Alteryx Designer Cloud offers many benefits, there are some limitations and areas that could be improved:Documentation and Support
Some users have noted that the documentation for Alteryx tools, including Designer Cloud, could be improved. More comprehensive examples and use cases would help users better utilize the platform.Visualization Capabilities
There is general feedback that Alteryx tools, including Designer Cloud, could benefit from enhanced visualization capabilities. Users often find themselves needing to use additional tools for better data visualization.Resource Demands
The platform can demand significant resources, such as memory and CPU, especially when handling large datasets or complex workflows. This can be a challenge, particularly if the server resources are limited.User Interface and User Management
Some users have reported difficulties with the user interface, especially on smaller screens, and challenges in managing access for a large user base. Improvements in these areas could enhance the overall user experience. In summary, Alteryx Designer Cloud offers strong performance and accuracy in data pipeline management and data preparation, but there are areas such as documentation, visualization, resource management, and user interface that could be improved to enhance the user experience and overall efficiency. Trifacta - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure for Alteryx Designer Cloud
The pricing structure for Alteryx Designer Cloud, which is powered by Trifacta, is structured into several tiers, each with distinct features and pricing.
Professional Plan
- Cost: $4,950 per user, per year.
- Features:
- Universal Data Connectivity
- Adaptive Data Quality
- Scheduling of more data pipelines
- Unlimited manual workflows
- Shared Customer Success Manager
- Platform availability on AWS and GCP
- Connectivity to cloud storage and cloud data warehouses
- Automated workflows (up to 3,000).
Enterprise Plan
- Cost: Available by custom quote.
- Features:
- Includes all features from the Professional Plan
- Programmatic Access via APIs
- Role-Based Access Controls
- Named Customer Success Manager
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Self-Managed Deployment Option
- Platform availability on AWS, GCP, and Azure
- Increased automated workflows (up to 15,000).
Other Editions
- Starter Edition:
- This edition is available but primarily focused on getting started with basic data wrangling from cloud-based storage. It is not as extensively detailed in the current pricing structure as the Professional and Enterprise plans.
Free Options
- 30-Day Free Trial:
- Alteryx offers a 30-day free trial for Designer Cloud, which allows users to experience the Enterprise Edition features during the trial period. After the trial, users must upgrade to a licensed edition to continue using the product.
Educational Licenses
- For university students, Alteryx provides a free 1-year license, which can be a valuable option for personal learning and educational purposes.
Trifacta - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Alteryx Analytics Cloud
Designer Cloud is a key component of the Alteryx Analytics Cloud (AAC), which includes a suite of cloud analytics tools such as Alteryx Machine Learning and Alteryx Auto Insights. This integration allows users to leverage a broad range of connectivity options (over 70) for data sources, including Databricks Unity Catalog, Amazon S3, Google Analytics, Google BigQuery, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and Salesforce.
Cloud Execution for Desktop
Designer Cloud users can benefit from Cloud Execution for Desktop, which enables them to link their Alteryx Designer Desktop instance to an AAC workspace. This feature allows users to save and schedule their desktop-built workflows in the cloud, leveraging the scalability and management of AAC. This integration supports major cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Dual Modes in Designer Cloud
Designer Cloud offers two modes: Cloud Native Mode and Standard Mode. Standard Mode brings a more familiar experience for users of Alteryx Designer, with a robust selection of tools similar to those in Designer Desktop. This mode includes tools like Data Cleansing, Multi-Row Formula, Join, and Summarize, making it easier for users to transition to a cloud-native environment without compromising on functionality.
Data Management and Scheduling
Through the integration with AAC, users can manage datasets within the Analytics Cloud Library, schedule data refreshes, and create plans to automate the execution of workflows. This ensures that data in Auto Insights is automatically refreshed as soon as new data is available, enhancing the efficiency and automation of analytics processes.
Compatibility Across Platforms
Designer Cloud is compatible with various platforms, including cloud environments and on-premise setups. It allows users to work seamlessly between cloud and desktop environments, ensuring that workflows built in Designer Desktop can be easily executed and managed in the cloud. This compatibility extends to different file types, including .CSV, .TSV, .JSON, .XLS, .XLSX, and .XLSM, and supports compressed file uploads using bzip2 or gzip formats.
Conclusion
In summary, Trifacta (Alteryx Designer Cloud) integrates well with the broader Alteryx ecosystem, offering extensive connectivity options, cloud execution capabilities, and dual modes to cater to different user needs, all while ensuring compatibility across various platforms and devices.
Trifacta - Customer Support and Resources
Support Options for Alteryx Designer Cloud
For customers using Alteryx Designer Cloud, which is the product formerly known as Trifacta, several customer support options and additional resources are available to ensure a smooth and effective user experience.
Support Channels
Customers can access support through various channels. The primary method is by submitting a support case via the MyAlteryx platform, which is the easiest and most efficient way to open a case. When submitting a case, it is essential to provide detailed information, including the reason for the case (e.g., defect, enhancement, error, how-to question, licensing issue), and any relevant data or workflow samples to help the support team diagnose the issue quickly.
Severity Levels
Support cases are categorized into different severity levels:
- SEV 1: Critical issues where the production environment is completely inoperable or inaccessible.
- SEV 2: High-priority issues causing major but intermittent loss of production service.
- SEV 3: Medium-priority issues where the product operates as designed but may not perform as expected.
- SEV 4: Low-priority issues with minor or no impact on performance or function.
Response Times
The response times vary based on the severity level and the customer’s support entitlement. For example, SEV 1 issues typically have a 1-hour response time for Premium and Premier support levels, while Standard support levels have an 8-business-hour response time.
Support Hours and Availability
Support is available Monday through Friday, excluding recognized US and local holidays. The support hours are:
- Americas: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EST/EDT
- EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa): 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM BST/GMT
- APAC (Asia, Pacific): 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM AEST/AEDT
Additional Resources
- Alteryx Community: Customers can leverage the Alteryx Community for additional product and usage questions. This community provides a platform for users to share knowledge and solutions.
- Documentation and Guides: The Alteryx Help Documentation and other resources on the website offer detailed guides on how to report issues, use the product, and troubleshoot common problems.
- Interactive Support Features: Features like the “Request Attention” option allow customers to request increased priority or communication cadence for their support cases if certain conditions are met.
Language Support
All available support resources are provided in English, but Alteryx may occasionally offer specific resources in other languages if requested by the customer.
By utilizing these support channels and resources, customers can effectively address any issues they encounter with Alteryx Designer Cloud and make the most out of the product’s capabilities.
Trifacta - Pros and Cons
Advantages
User-Friendly Interface
Trifacta is known for its intuitive interface, which puts the data front and center. This makes it easier for users to follow the transformation steps through a “recipe” approach, where each step can be selected to view the data at different stages of transformation.Predictive Transformations
Trifacta features predictive transformation capabilities, using machine learning to provide context-specific transformation recommendations. As users select data or columns, the system suggests cleaning or modification steps, adapting to the user’s transformation patterns.Sampling and Efficiency
Trifacta overcomes desktop limitations by using sampling techniques, downloading only up to 10MB of data from each source dataset. This allows for a smoother experience and reduces the time required to build recipes, as users can see the effects of transformations on a sample of data without waiting for the entire dataset to be processed.Reduced Dependency on IT
Trifacta empowers data analysts to manage their own datasets, reducing or eliminating the dependency on IT for data preparation. This helps bypass common bottlenecks in traditional data platform solutions.Disadvantages
Limited ETL Capabilities
Trifacta is primarily a data wrangling tool and does not offer full Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) capabilities. It handles transformation well but has limited functionality for extracting data from raw sources and loading prepared datasets into a datastore.Infrastructure Requirements
For more advanced functions, Trifacta can require significant infrastructure setup, which can be a large IT project. This can lead to longer setup times and higher initial costs compared to other tools like Alteryx.Learning Curve
Despite its intuitive UI, Trifacta can be seen as a new “programming language” that needs to be mastered, especially for complex transformation requirements. This can be a challenge for users who are not familiar with its unique workflow and recipe-based approach.Performance Comparison
In some cases, Trifacta has been reported to be slower than other tools like Alteryx for performing similar data wrangling tasks. Users have noted that tasks can take anywhere from 2 to 10 times longer in Trifacta compared to Alteryx. By considering these points, you can better evaluate whether Trifacta aligns with your data preparation and analysis needs. Trifacta - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing Trifacta with other AI-driven data tools
Trifacta, now integrated as Alteryx Designer Cloud, has several key features and differences that stand out.
Data Preparation and Wrangling
Trifacta is renowned for its strong focus on data wrangling and preparation. It uses an Intelligent Data Transformation Engine that leverages machine learning algorithms to detect patterns, anomalies, and inconsistencies in data, making it easier to clean and prepare datasets.
- Unique Feature: Trifacta’s automated data preparation process, powered by AI and machine learning, sets it apart by reducing the time and effort required for data cleaning and transformation.
- Alternative: Alteryx, another tool in this category, also focuses on data preparation and blending, using AI to automate repetitive tasks. However, Alteryx is more geared towards data engineers and analysts, while Trifacta is often preferred by data scientists.
Visual Interface and Collaboration
Trifacta offers a visual interface that makes it easy to understand and manipulate data, along with a Collaborative Workspace that enables real-time collaboration among team members. This allows for seamless sharing of insights and tracking of changes.
- Alternative: Tableau, known for its powerful data visualization capabilities, also provides a user-friendly interface but is more focused on creating interactive dashboards and predictive analytics rather than data wrangling.
Data Governance and Lineage
Trifacta includes comprehensive data governance features and data lineage tracking, which help organizations ensure the quality of their data and understand where the data came from and how it was used.
- Alternative: IBM Cognos Analytics offers data governance features as well, but it is more complex and has a steeper learning curve. It integrates with IBM Watson for advanced analytics and natural language queries, but may not be as accessible for small to mid-sized companies.
Automation and Reporting
Trifacta’s platform automates many data quality tasks, such as profiling, cleansing, and matching, and provides data quality dashboards and reporting to track the progress of data quality initiatives.
- Alternative: Power BI by Microsoft also automates data preparation and provides insights through natural language queries, but it is more integrated with Microsoft products and may not offer the same level of automation in data wrangling as Trifacta.
Scalability and Flexibility
Trifacta is scalable and flexible, capable of handling large volumes of both structured and unstructured data efficiently.
- Alternative: Qlik offers a flexible data exploration model but has a higher cost and limited AI functionalities compared to Trifacta. Qlik is more suited for users who need to embed data in external applications and collaborate within the application.
Conclusion
In summary, Trifacta stands out for its advanced data wrangling capabilities, automated data preparation, and strong data governance features, making it a preferred choice for data scientists and organizations needing to ensure high-quality data. However, depending on specific needs such as advanced visualization, integration with other tools, or natural language queries, alternatives like Tableau, Alteryx, Power BI, or IBM Cognos Analytics might be more suitable.
Trifacta - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Trifacta (Alteryx Designer Cloud)
What is Designer Cloud powered by Trifacta?
Designer Cloud powered by Trifacta is the rebranded version of Trifacta, a cloud-first, self-service data engineering platform. After Trifacta was acquired by Alteryx in February 2022, the platform was integrated with Alteryx’s Analytics Automation capabilities to create a unified, enhanced experience.
What are the key features of Designer Cloud powered by Trifacta?
Designer Cloud offers advanced data pipelining, universal data connectivity, adaptive data quality, and the orchestration of data pipelines. It also includes features like predictive data transformation, active data profiling, and automated workflows. The platform is designed to provide infinite scalability with strong data governance and security.
How does Designer Cloud fit into the Alteryx Analytics Cloud?
Designer Cloud is part of the Alteryx Analytics Cloud, a suite of cloud analytics tools that includes Alteryx Machine Learning and Alteryx Auto Insights. This integration allows users to accelerate their analytics processes and benefits from emerging integrations across the suite of products.
What are the pricing options for Designer Cloud?
Designer Cloud offers two main pricing plans: Professional and Enterprise. The Professional plan costs $4,950 per user per year, with a minimum of 3 user licenses, and includes features like universal data connectivity, adaptive data quality, and unlimited manual workflows. The Enterprise plan requires a custom quote and includes additional features such as programmatic access via APIs, role-based access controls, and self-managed deployment options.
Can I still use the classic Trifacta interface?
Yes, users can continue to use the Trifacta Classic interface within Designer Cloud. The platform allows users to switch between the new Designer Cloud experience and the classic Trifacta interface, ensuring continuity for existing users.
What is the difference between Designer Cloud Core and Trifacta Classic?
Designer Cloud Core and Trifacta Classic are distinct offerings within the Alteryx ecosystem. Designer Cloud Core is part of the Alteryx Analytics Cloud Platform and resembles the Alteryx Desktop Designer experience, while Trifacta Classic is the pre-acquisition Trifacta SaaS offering based on AWS.
How do I access the different interfaces in Designer Cloud?
To access the different interfaces, users can use the User Menu, typically found to the right of the Help button. This menu allows users to switch between the Designer Cloud experience and the Trifacta Classic interface.
What kind of support does Designer Cloud offer?
Designer Cloud provides various levels of support depending on the plan chosen. The Professional plan includes a shared Customer Success Manager, while the Enterprise plan offers a named Customer Success Manager along with other advanced support features.
Can I use Designer Cloud with different cloud platforms?
Yes, Designer Cloud is available on multiple cloud platforms. The Professional plan supports AWS and GCP, while the Enterprise plan adds support for Azure as well.
Is there a free trial available for Designer Cloud?
Yes, Alteryx offers a 30-day free trial for Designer Cloud, allowing users to test the platform before committing to a purchase.
Trifacta - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Alteryx Designer Cloud (formerly Trifacta)
Alteryx Designer Cloud, built on the foundations of Trifacta, is a powerful and versatile tool in the data tools AI-driven product category. Here’s a comprehensive overview of its benefits, target users, and overall recommendation.
Key Features and Benefits
- No-code/low-code interface: This platform is highly accessible, allowing users of all technical skill levels to easily cleanse, profile, prepare, blend, and analyze data using drag-and-drop tools.
- AI/ML Integration: The use of AI and ML suggestions guides users through the data preparation process, significantly reducing the time required for data manipulation and ensuring high efficiency.
- Enterprise Grade: Designer Cloud offers unlimited scalability, built-in governance, and world-class security, making it suitable for the most demanding modern enterprises.
- Best-in-class Connectivity: It provides connectivity to over 60 data sources, extendable through APIs, and supports deployment on various cloud environments such as AWS, GCP, and Snowflake.
- Collaborative Workflows: Users can build and share workflows in real-time, with features like interactive data samples and automatic documentation, enhancing team collaboration and transparency.
Who Would Benefit Most
- Data Analytics Teams: These teams can leverage the platform’s advanced data preparation and analytics capabilities to derive insights faster and more accurately.
- IT and Technology Teams: The cloud-native capabilities and integration with major cloud providers make it an ideal solution for IT teams looking to manage and analyze large datasets efficiently.
- Line of Business Users: The no-code/low-code interface and simple tools make it accessible for non-technical users to perform complex data tasks, such as file formatting, combining data, and sending large batch emails.
- Finance and Accounting: Companies in these sectors can benefit from automated processes like data validation, wrangling, and summarizing large datasets, which can lead to significant time savings and improved accuracy.
Overall Recommendation
Alteryx Designer Cloud is highly recommended for organizations seeking to streamline their data operations, enhance data quality, and accelerate their analytics processes. Its ability to combine data from various sources, automate complex tasks, and provide real-time insights makes it an invaluable tool for both technical and non-technical users.
The integration of Trifacta’s cloud-native capabilities with Alteryx’s analytics solutions offers a comprehensive and unified platform that meets the diverse needs of modern enterprises. Whether you are looking to improve data governance, reduce processing times, or enhance collaborative workflows, Alteryx Designer Cloud is a solid choice that can significantly impact your organization’s efficiency and decision-making capabilities.