Alteryx Designer Cloud

Basic Information

• Model: Alteryx Designer Cloud (formerly Trifacta Enterprise Edition)
• Version: Latest stable version is continuously updated as part of the Alteryx Analytics Cloud platform. Specific engine versions are tied to releases, e.g., 2025.1 for Cloud Execution.
• Release Date: Alteryx released Designer in the Cloud in May 2021.
• Minimum Requirements (Node Installation):
  • Number of Cores: 8 cores, x86_64
  • RAM: 64 GB (24 GB dedicated for basic operations)
  • Disk Space (Software Install): 16 GB
  • Total Free Disk Space: 24 GB
  • Operating System: 64-bit versions of CentOS/RHEL (7.4-7.9, 8.1, 8.4) or Ubuntu (18.04, 20.04).
• Supported Operating Systems: Primarily cloud-based, accessible via web browser. Node installation supports 64-bit CentOS/RHEL (7.4-7.9, 8.1, 8.4) and Ubuntu (18.04, 20.04).
• Latest Stable Version: Specific version numbers are continuously updated within the cloud platform. Alteryx supports self-managed Designer Cloud for 16 months from the release date of a major version.
• End of Support Date: For self-managed versions, 16 months from the major release date. Alteryx does not support end-of-support (EOS) versions, except for upgrade guidance.
• End of Life Date: Not explicitly stated, but tied to the 16-month support policy for self-managed versions.
• Auto-Update Expiration Date: As a cloud service, updates are typically managed by Alteryx and applied automatically.
• License Type: Subscription-based, user-based licensing. Available in Starter, Professional, and Enterprise editions.
• Deployment Model: Cloud-native, with options for deployment on AWS, GCP, Snowflake, and other cloud environments. It supports hybrid environments, integrating with on-premise data sources.

Technical Requirements

• Processor: 8 cores, x86_64 minimum; 16 cores, x86_64 recommended for node installation.
• RAM: 64 GB minimum (24 GB dedicated for basic operations); 128 GB recommended for node installation.
• Storage: 16 GB for software installation, 24 GB total free disk space minimum for node installation. Recommended 24 GB for software installation, 100 GB total free disk space.
• Display: Accessible via web browser. No specific display requirements beyond standard web browsing.
• Ports: For node installation, HTTP port 80 and HTTPS port 443 are required. SMTP email ports (25, 465, 2525, 587) may also be needed. Port 8082 for H2 database manual console access.
• Operating System: For node installation, 64-bit CentOS/RHEL (7.4-7.9, 8.1, 8.4) or Ubuntu (18.04, 20.04).

Alteryx Designer Cloud is primarily a cloud-based platform, meaning most end-user technical requirements are minimal, focusing on a compatible web browser and internet connection. The detailed hardware specifications pertain to the server-side "node" installation for self-managed deployments, which handles the data processing. These requirements emphasize robust processing power, significant RAM, and ample storage to manage complex data transformations and large datasets efficiently. The platform requires a 64-bit operating system for its node, indicating its design for modern server architectures.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Continuously updated as part of the Alteryx Analytics Cloud platform.
• OS Support: Accessible via modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari). Node installation supports 64-bit CentOS/RHEL (7.4-7.9, 8.1, 8.4) and Ubuntu (18.04, 20.04).
• End of Support Date: Self-managed Designer Cloud (formerly Trifacta Enterprise Edition) is supported for 16 months from the release date of a major version.
• Localization: Alteryx Designer (desktop) is available in English, French, German, Japanese, LATAM Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Italian, Simplified Chinese. Designer Cloud's localization typically aligns with the broader Alteryx platform.
• Available Drivers: Supports connectivity to over 60 data sources, extendable via APIs. Multiple drivers are automatically loaded on the Windows Container image for Cloud Execution.

Alteryx Designer Cloud offers broad compatibility, primarily through its web-based interface, making it accessible across various client operating systems, including Mac users. The platform supports a wide array of data sources, including AWS, GCP, Snowflake, and other cloud data platforms, with built-in connectivity to over 60 sources. Support for self-managed instances is time-bound, encouraging users to stay updated with the latest versions for continuous support. The platform's focus on cloud deployment simplifies driver management for end-users, as many are pre-configured or handled by the service.

Security Status

• Security Features: Enterprise-grade security, built-in governance, secure headers, secure cookies, SSL certificate deployment, configurable password criteria, admin password change, Single Sign-On (SSO) integration (Active Directory, Kerberos), user self-registration disablement, application timeouts, access logs, secure access for relational connections, Kerberos integration, KMS configuration, and SSL for Hive.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Not publicly detailed in general documentation, but Alteryx maintains a comprehensive information security program and integrates security by design principles.
• Blacklist Status: No public information indicates a blacklist status.
• Certifications: Alteryx Analytics Cloud Platform is ISO 27001 certified. Alteryx Designer FIPS version meets Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) thresholds.
• Encryption Support: Robust encryption practices for data in transit and at rest. Supports encrypted transport to and from cluster KMS systems.
• Authentication Methods: Configurable password criteria, SSO integration with Active Directory/Kerberos.
• General Recommendations: Configure strong password criteria, change default admin passwords, disable user self-registration, enable HTTP Strict-Transport security headers, deploy SSL certificates, configure KMS if enabled on the cluster, and harden the Alteryx node.

Alteryx Designer Cloud boasts a strong security posture, evidenced by its ISO 27001 certification and FIPS compliance for specific versions. It offers a comprehensive suite of security features, including robust encryption, granular access controls (IAM), and various authentication methods like SSO. The platform emphasizes "security by design" and provides recommendations for hardening deployments. While specific known vulnerabilities are not publicly listed, the company's commitment to security operations, regular reviews, and incident response plans suggests a proactive approach to managing potential threats. The ability to keep the data plane in the customer's own cloud environment using Private Data Handling further enhances security and data governance.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Not publicly available in general documentation.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: Users report significant reduction in data preparation timelines, cutting delivery times by up to 50% and enabling faster insights. The platform offers responsive data transformations and can scale to any size using smart sampling and pushdown processing.
• Power Consumption: As a cloud service, power consumption is managed by the cloud provider (AWS, GCP, etc.), not directly by the end-user.
• Carbon Footprint: Not explicitly detailed for the product itself, but cloud deployments generally offer efficiencies compared to on-premise infrastructure.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Compared to Alteryx Designer Desktop, Designer Cloud offers cloud performance, meaning it does not bog down local machines for resource-intensive workflows. It is noted for its scalability and ability to handle large-scale data processing without compromising speed. However, some users note it has a more limited toolset (around 27 tools compared to over 270 in Designer Desktop) and different handling of data import/connections.

Alteryx Designer Cloud is designed for high performance and scalability in cloud environments. Its real-world performance highlights include significant time savings in data preparation and the ability to process large datasets efficiently through features like pushdown processing and smart sampling. While specific benchmark scores are not readily available, user feedback consistently points to improved speed and efficiency in data analytics workflows. The cloud-native architecture offloads computational demands from local machines, contributing to a smoother user experience.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews for Alteryx Designer Cloud highlight several strengths and weaknesses.

• Strengths:
  • Accessibility and Ease of Use: Intuitive drag-and-drop UI, no-code/low-code capabilities make it accessible for users of all skill levels, including Mac users.
  • Cloud-Native Benefits: Eliminates the need for complex installations, offers unlimited scalability, and doesn't burden local machine resources for intensive workflows.
  • Data Preparation and Blending: Excellent for transforming, cleansing, and blending data from multiple sources.
  • Collaboration: Facilitates real-time collaboration with shared workflows, notes, and annotations.
  • Integration: Strong connectivity to over 60 data sources, including major cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, and Snowflake.
  • Automated Workflows: Ability to build repeatable workflows to streamline data operations.
• Weaknesses:
  • Limited Toolset: Compared to Alteryx Designer Desktop, the cloud version has a significantly smaller number of tools (e.g., 27 vs. over 270), which can be a disadvantage for advanced users.
  • Offline Functionality: Requires a continuous internet connection, limiting use in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Cost: Some users find the product expensive.
  • Interface Differences: Users accustomed to the desktop version may find the cloud interface different and clunky, with some features handled differently (e.g., data import).
  • Data Security Concerns (Perception): While Alteryx asserts its security, some large organizations remain hesitant about moving all data processing to the cloud.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Data preparation and blending for analytics and machine learning.
  • Organizations seeking to democratize data analytics across teams with varying technical skills.
  • Industries like healthcare (patient data integration), retail (inventory/sales analysis), and finance (risk assessments).
  • Scenarios requiring scalable data processing and collaborative workflow development in a cloud environment.

Summary

Alteryx Designer Cloud is a robust, cloud-native platform designed for data preparation, blending, and analytics, empowering a wide range of users from novices to data professionals. Its core strength lies in its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and no-code/low-code capabilities, making complex data transformations accessible without extensive coding knowledge. The platform offers significant advantages in scalability, allowing for efficient processing of large datasets through features like pushdown processing and smart sampling, and freeing local machines from heavy computational loads. Collaboration is a key feature, enabling teams to work together on workflows in real-time. It boasts extensive connectivity to over 60 data sources across various cloud environments, including AWS, GCP, and Snowflake, supporting modern hybrid data architectures.

Security is a strong suit, with ISO 27001 certification, FIPS compliance for specific versions, robust encryption for data at rest and in transit, and comprehensive access control features including SSO. Alteryx provides clear recommendations for securing deployments and emphasizes a "security by design" approach.

However, the asset has notable weaknesses. Users familiar with Alteryx Designer Desktop may find the cloud version's toolset more limited and its interface less refined, leading to a perception of reduced functionality. The requirement for a continuous internet connection can also be a drawback for users in environments with unreliable connectivity. While Alteryx promotes its security, some enterprises still express reservations about cloud-based data processing.

Overall, Alteryx Designer Cloud is highly recommended for organizations seeking a scalable, collaborative, and secure cloud-based solution for data preparation and analytics, particularly those aiming to democratize data insights across their workforce. It excels in streamlining data workflows and integrating diverse data sources. However, potential users, especially those accustomed to the extensive toolset of the desktop version, should evaluate if the current feature set meets their advanced analytical needs and consider the implications of a purely online operating model.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.