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CA Database Management for DB2 for zOS vs Foglight for Databases comparison

Why PeerSpot?
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 1, 2026

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

CA Database Management for ...
Ranking in Database Development and Management
14th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
8.2
Number of Reviews
13
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Foglight for Databases
Ranking in Database Development and Management
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
33
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Database Development and Management category, the mindshare of CA Database Management for DB2 for zOS is 1.6%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Foglight for Databases is 3.9%, down from 4.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Database Development and Management Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Foglight for Databases3.9%
CA Database Management for DB2 for zOS1.6%
Other94.5%
Database Development and Management
 

Featured Reviews

JG
Technical Project Manager at Interra Information Technologies, Inc.
Report generation offers invaluable insights into database performance
I basically use the solution for database management and to view the performance of a particular database object, any specific program, batch program, or online programs. Using the CSSZ tool, I can effectively monitor performance. In case of an exception, I can inform the application team. At DB2…
AkshayChaudhari - PeerSpot reviewer
Data Specialist at TCS
Centralized monitoring has reduced troubleshooting time and improves visibility across databases
I would improve the user interface of Foglight for Databases, as I feel it is somewhat complex, especially when using the specific troubleshooting view, particularly for new users. I would also appreciate more flexibility when customizing the dashboards and alerts, so better prioritization based on impact would be beneficial. Reporting could also be more straightforward with more ready-made reports and easier customization. Clearer recommendations during troubleshooting would help users move from identifying a problem to understanding the likely root cause. There is still room for improvement in the user interface, reporting, and alert customization, but overall Foglight for Databases has been valuable.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The ability to do the CA utilities faster than IBM using less resources, and the RC/Migrator product that allows us to make changes quickly and efficiently using either the IBM utilities or the CA utilities."
"We have more control over our DB2 systems and can do our everyday DBA work faster and easier."
"The solution operates on JetOS platform. It is a very good, perfect solution."
"It takes advantage of new features of DB2."
"The reports generated and the old statistics shown are really helpful."
"Improved monitoring and performance management."
"Work for an overall solution. Competing product suites seem to serve the same functions, but it is the overall integration of all the products that meets our needs and makes this suite so beneficial to our business."
"​It is very stable. We have had no issues."
"I consider Foglight for Databases' diagnostic capability a strong advantage because quickly identifying blocked sessions, inefficient database queries, and resource contention significantly improves troubleshooting efficiency, reduces MTTR, and minimizes production impact."
"Foglight for Databases has helped us reduce the time we spend monitoring and troubleshooting database issues."
"Its reporting capabilities are immense."
"Foglight for Databases is the best tool for monitoring all aspects such as database, backup information, storage information, and operating system side."
"Foglight has the effect of improving our overall productivity, reducing downtime, and increasing profits."
"One of the hardest things to do in database management is to evaluate performance deviation across time. The adaptive baseline that Quest is using is by far the most helpful. That doesn't necessarily mean I use it on a daily basis, but it is something that I have not been able to find in any other tool, at the same level."
"Using Foglight for Databases has been beneficial because it is a third-party tool that already has all of Dell's or Quest's experience, adding value in terms of ROI mainly through three avenues: less diagnostic time, fewer prolonged incidents, and less operational inefficiency."
"Foglight for Databases has helped us save a lot of time in doing manual investigations and initial troubleshooting, which has been efficiently handled by Foglight for Databases."
 

Cons

"Only one issue was not resolved but this was because the customer did not agree to send data which the vendor asked for as it was user-sensitive data but without this, a full investigation was not possible."
"They need to provide a way to create and maintain performance repositories. The online tool is not perfect, but it is giving me what I need."
"The initial setup parameters are quite exhaustive and some parameters cross with the products."
"It's a good product. I would give it a nine out of 10, and the reason is, in general, it's a technical product so I think that it's a little cumbersome."
"These tools have had their share of bugs."
"They could work on the installation process main job that runs, maybe break it up into several jobs instead of one."
"The initial set up of parameters is quite exhaustive and some parameters cross products."
"Minor stability issues."
"The tool could be somewhat more user-friendly, as proper knowledge is required to set up servers and use it effectively."
"I would like the rule development code to be made available so we don't always have to be referred to professional services for custom solutions. For example, if we want to exclude certain databases from a particular rule, we shouldn't have to go to support and to professional services for that solution. If the code and syntax were available, we have resources that could quickly turn something like that around."
"The system is not that stable. We have been facing a lot of issues. We built a new store environment of Foglight, an environment for monitoring the Lowe's store servers, which are all Db2 servers. The objective is to monitor 800 Db2 servers in each Foglight instance. Up to 150 Db2 servers, the environment was working fine. The moment it crossed 150 or 160, we started having a lot of stability issues."
"Foglight for Databases is useful for database monitoring and troubleshooting, but there are a few areas where it could be improved."
"Foglight for Databases could benefit from fewer generic alerts and more rules based on impact, priority, and action path, which would make it more useful for daily operations, on-call shifts, and incident follow-up."
"I would improve the user interface of Foglight for Databases, as I feel it is somewhat complex, especially when using the specific troubleshooting view, particularly for new users."
"Foglight does have a component that allows you to look at things in real time, but it's not as friendly or as efficient in terms of responsiveness as Quest Spotlight is. Foglight might be lacking in this department."
"One thing that I would like, and it's probably something that I could set up internally, is something other than a dashboard which I have to look at to know that a server is down. I'd like bells and whistles to go off... If I look at the dashboard I know there's a server down. But if I'm not looking at it, if I'm looking at some other problem, I want to know about it. You can do that, you can use SMSs and alerts to your phone, and I could set it up to handle that, but it would be nice if, out-of-the-box, Foglight did that."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available
"Compared to the other tools on the market, Foglight is okay in terms of pricing and licensing."
"The price is worth it, if you have the time to go through the information."
"This is like the "Cadillac" of performance monitoring software. It's not cheap... I am currently with a company that I was able to convince that the product is worth the cost."
"Pricing is very reasonable. We were able to construct a pretty easy contract with Quest, who were very easy to work with and very amenable to what we are trying to do. It worked out well for us."
"The price of Foglight could be a little more competitive in Chile, and it should be lowered for long-time customers— at least by 20 percent. Sometimes the price is a limitation. We have seven instances and nearly 5 million users. If Quest Foglight could reduce its prices for the clients that have been with it for a long time, we would be able to have more instances."
"It is cost-effective. With our EA, it is really based on the scale of our database environment. We found the Quest team to be reasonable and flexible when it comes to pricing and scaling of licenses."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
16%
Outsourcing Company
15%
Construction Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Outsourcing Company
10%
Government
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Midsize Enterprise4
Large Enterprise8
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business6
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise26
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with CA Database Management for DB2 for zOS?
In the case of any particular SQL which is executing for a longer time and causing issues with any particular store or DB2 programs, if it could pinpoint the problems like any other tool should do,...
What is your primary use case for CA Database Management for DB2 for zOS?
I basically use the solution for database management and to view the performance of a particular database object, any specific program, batch program, or online programs. Using the CSSZ tool, I can...
What advice do you have for others considering CA Database Management for DB2 for zOS?
The solution operates on JetOS platform. It is a very good, perfect solution. I would rate it ten out of ten. Currently, I do not have any planning for investment at all.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Quest Foglight for Databases?
In terms of pricing, the setup cost and licensing require planning from both perspectives. The initial configuration takes effort because I have to decide which database to monitor and configure ac...
What needs improvement with Quest Foglight for Databases?
I think Foglight for Databases could improve its user interface. It can be complex to navigate sometimes, especially when you are trying to troubleshoot a specific issue. It can be overwhelming for...
What is your primary use case for Quest Foglight for Databases?
My main use case for Foglight for Databases is to monitor database performance and identify issues before they affect our applications. I mainly use it to keep track of database health, check slow ...
 

Also Known As

CA Database Management Solutions for DB2 for z/OS
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Blue Hill Data Services
CommitDBA
Find out what your peers are saying about CA Database Management for DB2 for zOS vs. Foglight for Databases and other solutions. Updated: November 2026.
920,769 professionals have used our research since 2012.