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IBM InfoSphere Optim Reviews

Vendor: IBM
3.4 out of 5
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What is IBM InfoSphere Optim?

IBM Optim solutions manage data from requirements to retirement. They boost performance, empower collaboration, and improve governance across applications, databases and platforms. By managing data properly over its lifetime, organisations are better equipped to support business goals with less risk.
Get the Database Development and Management Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about IBM InfoSphere Optim, Oracle Enterprise Manager, BMC Data Management for IMS and DB2 on zOS and more!
IBM InfoSphere Optim is the #16 ranked solution in top Database Development and Management solutions. PeerSpot users give IBM InfoSphere Optim an average rating of 6.8 out of 10. IBM InfoSphere Optim is most commonly compared to Oracle Enterprise Manager: IBM InfoSphere Optim vs Oracle Enterprise Manager. IBM InfoSphere Optim is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 64% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 28% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Database Development and Management
July 2025
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IBM InfoSphere Optim mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of IBM InfoSphere Optim in the Database Development and Management category stands at 2.5%, up from 2.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Database Development and Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
IBM InfoSphere Optim2.5%
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer9.3%
Quest Foglight for Databases7.6%
Other80.6%
Database Development and Management
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

IBM InfoSphere Optim's most valuable features include in-line masking for Oracle and Teradata, providing flexibility in data masking and process design. Users find it faster and customizable compared to traditional methods, eliminating the need to write complex sequences. It offers easy database restoration with a few clicks and maintains database linking. Additionally, its compression feature achieves approximately 80% data compression, enhancing efficiency.
  • "The compression feature is valuable because it achieves around 80% compression."
  • "We like that we can easily restore the database with just a few clicks. The database is linked as well."
  • "I feel the solution to be a bit faster than the traditional methods, which makes it easy to customize."

Room for Improvement

IBM InfoSphere Optim needs improvements in masking processes, as the Extract-Convert-Load method is manual and time-consuming compared to in-line masking. There is a lack of direct XML masking and inability to handle BLOB, image, and PDF data. Support for IMS databases is limited, with users noting inadequate knowledge from support teams. The cost is a concern, with users finding it very expensive, especially for AWS implementation, leading them to seek alternatives.
  • "The potential room for improvement for IBM InfoSphere Optim is usually its cost, as it is too expensive."
  • "We're looking for a solution that can be implemented on AWS. IBM InfoSphere Optim can be implemented on AWS, but it costs more than double what we're currently paying. So, it's not really of good value for us."
  • "While the solution is very supportive of Db2, it is not so friendly when it comes to IMS databases."

Pricing

  • "IBM InfoSphere Optim is a very expensive solution. Actually, it's the most expensive archiving solution that we have."

Service and Support

IBM InfoSphere Optim technical support receives high ratings, scoring 9 out of 10 from some users. It is described as supportive, particularly for Db2-related issues, but experience with IMS-related matters is noted as lacking. While support for Optim is praised, assistance for other products may need enhancement. Some users have not contacted tech support for years, thus providing limited feedback on current service.

Deployment

IBM InfoSphere Optim's initial setup process is generally simple and straightforward for users. Some find it quite easy, especially when working with a single database. In contrast, others note that while the initial deployment may take longer, spanning up to six months, it remains manageable with technical knowledge. Overall, once commenced, users find the setup phase relatively uncomplicated, with IBM InfoSphere Optim becoming comprehensible and easy to implement.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Database Development and Management Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
28%
Retailer
8%
Insurance Company
8%
Healthcare Company
7%
Computer Software Company
5%
Educational Organization
5%
Wellness & Fitness Company
4%
University
4%
Government
4%
Performing Arts
4%
Consumer Goods Company
3%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Outsourcing Company
3%
Construction Company
3%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Logistics Company
2%
Media Company
2%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Transportation Company
1%
Comms Service Provider
1%

Compare IBM InfoSphere Optim with alternative products

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Learn more about IBM InfoSphere Optim

IBM InfoSphere Optim was previously known as IBM Optim, Optim.

IBM InfoSphere Optim customers

Durham Police Department, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Continental, KCE Electronics Public Company Limited, The University of Adelaide, Migros Zurich, COPROB

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Database Development and Management

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IBM InfoSphere Optim Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Solutions Designer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees3.5I use IBM InfoSphere Optim specifically for backups, appreciating its 80% compression capability. However, the high cost is a significant drawback, leading me to consider alternatives, even though my deployment with it is on Amazon Web Services.
Project Manager at Mphasis3.5We use IBM InfoSphere Optim to refresh and mask data efficiently, particularly for large volumes. It performs well with Db2 but less so with IMS. Its customization is beneficial, although support for IMS could improve. We switched from manual methods.
Solutions Designer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees2.5No summary available
Technology Specialist at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees4.0No summary available