best data modeling tool

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best data modeling tool

ekant_alone

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Points: 2423
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October 10, 2013 at 1:28 pm

#395642

Hello,
I am looking for a cheap and highly efficient data modeling tool for my SQL server 2008 r2 and 2012 environment. my employer's infr contains postgres, oracle and SQL server. I need a tool which can create data diagrams of the existing DB, and other data modeling tasks,
Does any one has any advice.

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003861 More actions · Answer 1

The words "Cheap" and "Highly Efficient" are usually mutually exclusive. If you have 3 different RDBMSs like you say, it'll be worth your company spending some money.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

ekant_alone SSCrazy Points: 2423 More actions · Answer 2

i understand that, I specifically looking a tool for SQL server and cheap because i need to convince financial people in the company. However can you advice some names?

TheSQLGuru SSC Guru Points: 134017 More actions · Answer 3

ekant_alone (10/10/2013)
Hello,
I am looking for a cheap and highly efficient data modeling tool for my SQL server 2008 r2 and 2012 environment. my employer's infr contains postgres, oracle and SQL server. I need a tool which can create data diagrams of the existing DB, and other data modeling tasks,
Does any one has any advice.

The best data modeling tool (regardless of platform) in my opinion is Embarcadero's ERStudio. CA's ERWin is another that is used by quite a few out there.

There truly is NO cheap option for this, especially since you need cross-platform. Take Oracle and postgres out and ERStudio is VERY affordable for just a SQL Server license.

Best,
Kevin G. Boles
SQL Server Consultant
SQL MVP 2007-2012
TheSQLGuru on googles mail service

mayurkb Ten Centuries Points: 1155 More actions · Answer 4

mayurkb

Ten Centuries

Points: 1155

October 11, 2013 at 11:27 am

#1657987

I use CA'a ERwin and I love it.

Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398679 More actions · Answer 5

Another vote for Embarcadero ER Studio. It's a very solid tool.

You might also want to look at SQL Dependency Tracker from Red Gate. It's not a modeling tool, but it's a great way to understand how a database is put together, how the stored procs and views are referencing each other, etc.

DISCLAIMER: I work for Red Gate.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

TheSQLGuru SSC Guru Points: 134017 More actions · Answer 6

Grant Fritchey (10/13/2013)
Another vote for Embarcadero ER Studio. It's a very solid tool.
You might also want to look at SQL Dependency Tracker from Red Gate. It's not a modeling tool, but it's a great way to understand how a database is put together, how the stored procs and views are referencing each other, etc.
DISCLAIMER: I work for Red Gate.

I don't work for Red Gate and I will second what Grant says about Dependency Tracker. You can get some very nice graphical output from that tool!

Best,
Kevin G. Boles
SQL Server Consultant
SQL MVP 2007-2012
TheSQLGuru on googles mail service

ekant_alone SSCrazy Points: 2423 More actions · Answer 7

thank you so much. Yes, imy manager is also inclined towards Red Gate product

robert.gerald.taylor SSChampion Points: 13133 More actions · Answer 8

I've always found ERWin to be a good modeling tool, though it is moderately pricey. I had a coworker who swore by Sybase's PowerDesigner.

Rob

happycat59 One Orange Chip Points: 29387 More actions · Answer 9

I have been using Enterprise Architect for a while - it can import the definition for tables, views, functions etc from database that you can connect to using ODBC. The result is a representation of the source system and it includes relationship between tables (foreign keys) and also things like views and tables - so you end up with a very rich picture of what it using/related to what, which is really useful.

And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg - which is also pretty handy.

halil.lacevic SSC Enthusiast Points: 159 More actions · Answer 10

So far, I have tried manyonline tools. However, I will list you some of the tools that helped me a lot.

AquaData Studio ER Modeler

A free 14-day evaluation copycan be downloaded. The purchase price includes 12-month support. After thefirst year, support can purchased for 35% of the original license price.

"Discounted licences areavailable for qualified Academic users and free licenses are available forqualified Open Source Software (OSS) Developers."

Price: $400

Dezign

A recent upgrade offerssignificantly improved features. Supports Forward and Reverse Engineering forabout 20 different Databases.

Price: Offers a Free downloador starts at $259 to buy.

SQLDbm

SQLDBM offers you an easy, convenientway to design your database absolutely anywhere on any browser, working awaywithout need for any extra database engine or database modelling tools or apps.Use SQLDBM to design and manage both large and small databases and data modelson the fly. All while incorporating any needed database rules and objects suchas database keys, schemas, indexes, column constraints and relationships.

Price: Free

ScottPletcher SSC Guru Points: 100946 More actions · Answer 11

Erwin is a great modeling tool, the best I've used, although it wasn't cheap the last time I was able to use it.

SQL DBA,SQL Server MVP(07, 08, 09) A socialist is someone who will give you the shirt off *someone else's* back.