What is Datamartist?
Datamartist is a data transformation tool. It can read data from data sources (such as files, or relational databases), do data transformations using a simple, visual user interface, and then can write the results into files or databases.
The thinking behind Datamartist is that sometimes you just want to get your hands on the data- and you don't want to have to use an overly complex, expensive ETL tool to do it.
Datamartist gives new options in between the spreadsheet and the database. It's a free form, do what you need, try different things, data scratch pad.
How can Datamartist define complex data transformations without programming?
By using blocks and connectors, very complex data transformations can be created a step at a time. Each block represents a type of transformation or operation that can be performed on the data. The blocks are configured using wizards and controls- no programming. But because literally hundreds of blocks can be connected together in any combination, and blocks can contain other blocks, letting the user organize data transformation canvases easily, the overall transform can be extremely complex and powerful.
How much data can Datamartist handle?
Datamartist can handle very large data sets. It has a preview mode which allows the user to only load in a few thousand rows while building the data transformation, then once everything is ready can the user "runs with all data" and Datamartist does the entire calculation and writes the results out to files defined by export blocks. Although it depends on how many blocks and how many calculation steps are used, data sets with even millions of rows can usually be run in the time it takes to get a cup of coffee.
The bottom line is that it is possible to work with data sets that are much larger than what MS Excel can handle.
Do I need to install a database on my machine to use Datamartist?
No. Datamartist installs everything you need in one simple install, that usually takes less than a minute. Datamartist can READ information from databases, however- either those on your machine or remote ones.
How does the Datamartist trial work?
The trial is easy. Just download the installer, install Datamartist on your machine and then run Datamartist. Datamartist will activate itself for 30 days. You will have all the functionality available, no limitations for 30 days, and you don't need to be connected to the internet to use the trial.
The trail version can show either standard or professional functionality, and this can be changed on the fly, letting you understand fully the differences between the two editions.
Do I need to reinstall when I decide to buy?
No. Once you've decided to purchase, buy a license through the datamartist.com website, and a license key will be emailed to you.
You do not have to uninstall the trial version, but we do recommend that you keep up to date- check if there is a newer version by comparing the version in "about" in the trial to the version on the datamartist.com download page. But either way, it will work, and you can download the updated version later if you like.
Run Datamartist while connected to the internet, select help and then click on ACTIVATE. You will be prompted for your key, copy and paste it from the email you received and datamartist will be activated.
How much does Datamartist cost?
Please refer to our product page to get the most up to date price, and the available editions.
How do I get technical support for Datamartist?
First, please take a look at the online documentation. But if you can't find what you need, don't hesitate to email us at support@datamartist.com.
When you purchase datamartist license, you get a free one year subscription to technical support and upgrades. After that you will be able to purchase additional years subscriptions as needed which will cost around 20% of the versions purchase price when you buy the subscription.
But if you report a serious bug, we'll provide support in all cases at all times. We don't like bugs (and they don't like us because we're kind of single minded about what we want to do to them).
For more information about our support please read our help and support service page.
Can I run Datamartist on multiple machines?
You are entitled to install Datamartist on two machines. (Often people like to have it at work and at home.) By default your license has enough activations to let you keep putting it on computers as you purchase new ones or your work machine gets replaced, but if you do use up the activations (maybe you like changing your PC a lot), just contact support@datamartist.com and we can help you out to make sure you never lose your ability to use Datamartist.
Where does Datamartist fit in my business intelligence architecture?
Datamartist is a desktop tool providing both end users and the IT department with a means to quickly transform and fix large data sets without having to do elaborate server based development.
Like Excel, it is a personal tool- used by individuals to do data transformation quickly. It can be fed from multiple data sources, including the data warehouse, data marts that may exist in the organisation, either through direct data access or via data export from these systems.
Datamartist is used by people who need to quickly manage and transform data. Once they've got the data in the format, and at the level of detail they want they export the data to a tool that can create graphs and reports, and to perform pivot table like analysis.
Why is Datamartist better than Excel for some types of data transformation?
Unlike Excel, Datamartist allows for easy use of multi-million row data sets, and provides a user interface that makes it clear visually how the data flows, and what data transformations are performed where.
While Excel is spreadsheet based, Datamartist manages tables and definitions more like a database. But without many of the constraints of a data base, and without the need to use programming languages like SQL.
Finally, Datamartist has been designed to guide the creation of data models that facilitate cleaner data transformation, and the production of a more useful output data set. It inherently manages concepts like duplicate keys, duplicate records, multiple hiearchies, and complex segmentation rule sets. Because it does this in a graphical user interface, it avoids the need for complex nested spreadsheet functions, visual basic programming or complicated lookup calculations.
Can Datamartist replace all data warehouses and data marts?
Absolutely not. Very large (and expensive) server based systems will always be required to one degree or another in most enterprises. What Datamartist does is provides a way to avoid creating unneeded server based, or custom developed database systems for a wide range of data transformation needs. Every time a data mart or data warehouse project is avoided, huge cost savings result. Datamartist provides a tool that allows data transformation (and then the follow up analysis in an analysis tool) that would never have happened, because the data transformation was too complex for Excel, but IT resources did not exist to implement it in a database.
I've got a data problem- I'm just not sure I have the in house resources to handle it.
nModal Solutions Inc. also provides consulting services. Both in support of projects based around the Datamartist tool, and in data transformation and analysis projects in general.
- Browse the Datamartist documentation.
- Compare Datamartist functionality to spreadsheets and databases.
- Datamartist at Democamp Toronto.
- Datamartist at the Financial Technology Show.
