Qlik Compose

Basic Information

• Model: Qlik Compose (combines functionalities of Qlik Compose for Data Warehouses and Qlik Compose for Data Lakes, a consolidation that occurred in February 2021)
• Version: December 2024
• Release Date: December 2024 (for the latest stable version)
• Minimum Requirements: Requires a Windows Server machine with adequate disk space, network connectivity, and specific software components.
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2016 (64-bit), Windows Server 2019 (64-bit), Windows Server 2022 (64-bit)
• Latest Stable Version: December 2024
• End of Support Date: Support for Qlik Compose May 2022 was extended to May 10, 2025. Newer versions follow Qlik's On-Premise Products Release Management Policy.
• End of Life Date: Not explicitly stated; typically follows the end of support policy.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not applicable for this enterprise software.
• License Type: Subscription-based or perpetual (for older models). Licensing can be capacity-based or user-based. Existing licenses for Data Warehouses or Data Lakes projects can be used for respective functionalities within the combined Qlik Compose; a new license is required for managing both project types. The license is enforced during task generation, execution, or scheduling.
• Deployment Model: On-premise installation on Windows Server, with support for cloud data warehouses and data lakes (e.g., Amazon Redshift, Azure Synapse, Google BigQuery, Snowflake, Oracle, Apache Hadoop, Cloudera, Databricks). Projects can be deployed and migrated between environments using deployment packages.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 4 GB, but requirements are highly dependent on data volumes and the complexity of operations. Qlik products are in-memory analysis technologies, so more RAM may be required for larger datasets.
• Processor: Multi-core x64 compatible processors.
• Storage: Recommended 100 GB SSD or 500 GB 10,000 RPM RAID for higher system availability.
• Display: Standard display resolution suitable for server management interfaces.
• Ports: Firewall ports 80/443 should be open on the Compose machine.
• Operating System: Windows Server 2016 (64-bit), Windows Server 2019 (64-bit), Windows Server 2022 (64-bit).

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Qlik Compose requires a robust server environment, emphasizing sufficient storage and network capabilities for data processing. While specific RAM and CPU requirements are flexible and scale with data volume, the need for 64-bit Windows Server platforms and RAID storage indicates an expectation for enterprise-grade infrastructure. The reliance on Qlik Replicate for data landing also implies that the overall data integration architecture will have its own set of technical demands.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: December 2024.
• OS Support: Windows Server 2016 (64-bit), Windows Server 2019 (64-bit), Windows Server 2022 (64-bit).
• End of Support Date: Qlik Compose May 2022's support was extended to May 10, 2025. Future versions adhere to Qlik's On-Premise Products Release Management Policy.
• Localization: Not explicitly detailed, likely English-first with potential for other languages based on Qlik's broader product offerings.
• Available Drivers/Connectors: Connects with over 1,000 pre-built connectors. Supports a wide range of databases for Data Warehouse projects, including Microsoft SQL Server (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022), MySQL (8.0, 8.1), Oracle (various versions including 23ai), and Databricks. Qlik Replicate is a prerequisite for landing data.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Qlik Compose demonstrates strong compatibility with a broad ecosystem of data sources and cloud platforms, making it versatile for diverse enterprise environments. Its reliance on Qlik Replicate for data ingestion highlights an integrated approach within the Qlik data integration suite. OS support is focused on recent Windows Server versions, ensuring compatibility with modern enterprise infrastructure. The end-of-support dates are policy-driven, requiring users to stay informed about specific version lifecycles.

Security Status

• Security Features: Multi-layered security architecture, including HTTPS for the Compose console, HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS), and Kerberos for Single Sign-On (SSO).
• Known Vulnerabilities: Qlik proactively monitors and addresses vulnerabilities, with updates to components like Jetty server, Apache Commons IO, and jQuery to mitigate known issues. Qlik follows a Responsible Disclosure approach for high or critical vulnerabilities.
• Blacklist Status: No known blacklist status.
• Certifications: Qlik's broader security framework includes adherence to ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 standards for cloud security and privacy, indicating a strong commitment to security best practices.
• Encryption Support: Supports data encryption both in transit and at rest. Qlik Cloud offers multiple layers of security, including the option for customers to provide their own encryption keys.
• Authentication Methods: Integrates with standard identity providers such as Active Directory (AD), OAuth, SAML, and third-party Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be added for enhanced security.
• General Recommendations: Qlik employs a secure software development lifecycle, including static code analysis, threat modeling, third-party vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Qlik Compose operates within a robust security framework provided by Qlik, incorporating industry-standard practices and certifications. The multi-layered approach, from authentication and encryption to vulnerability management and secure development, provides a high level of data protection. Regular updates to address vulnerabilities further enhance its security posture.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific public benchmark scores for Qlik Compose are not readily available. Performance and scalability discussions generally relate to Qlik's broader data integration and analytics platforms.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: Qlik Compose is noted for effectively handling large data volumes and offering scalability, particularly in cloud environments. However, users have reported performance issues with slow updates compared to insertions, especially when processing high volumes of data.
• Power Consumption: Not directly applicable as Qlik Compose is software; power consumption is dependent on the underlying hardware infrastructure.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable as Qlik Compose is software; carbon footprint is dependent on the underlying hardware and data center operations.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Qlik Compose is commonly compared to solutions like Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC), Azure Data Factory, and SSIS. Alternatives include Fivetran, Google Cloud BigQuery, SnapLogic, and Domo.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Qlik Compose offers good scalability and is effective for automating data warehouse and data lake creation. Its performance for initial data loads and insertions is generally strong. However, performance can be a concern during large-volume data updates, which may require optimization. The automation capabilities significantly reduce manual effort, contributing to overall efficiency.

User Reviews & Feedback

Users generally praise Qlik Compose for its ability to automate and streamline data warehousing and ETL processes, significantly reducing manual effort and project timelines. Its dynamic management of data pipelines, efficient modeling, and code generation are highlighted as key strengths. The tool's scalability, stability, graphical data representation, and robust workflow management, monitoring, data profiling, and data quality features are also well-regarded. It effectively integrates multiple source systems and is valuable for providing data for analytical purposes, such as Power BI.

However, common weaknesses include a perceived complexity of the user interface for new users, leading to a steeper learning curve and requiring better documentation and hands-on experience. Some users note a lack of advanced ETL monitoring capabilities and struggles with high data volumes due to missing batching functionalities. Performance issues, particularly with slow updates compared to insertions, have been reported. There is also a call for improved technical support, better handling of complex SQL, and enhanced integration with custom scripts, NoSQL functionalities, and Linux environments.

Recommended use cases for Qlik Compose include automating the design, creation, loading, and updating of data warehouses and data lakes, streamlining ETL procedures, and integrating diverse data sources to prepare analytics-ready datasets. It is particularly beneficial for organizations looking to accelerate time-to-value from their data investments and reduce the manual effort in data management.

Summary

Qlik Compose is a powerful enterprise asset management solution designed to automate and optimize the creation and operation of data warehouses and data lakes. It excels in streamlining traditionally manual and time-consuming tasks such as design, development, ETL code generation, and change management, significantly reducing the effort and time required for BI projects. The asset offers robust compatibility with a wide array of data sources and major cloud platforms, making it a versatile tool for modern data environments. Its multi-layered security framework, incorporating encryption, strong authentication methods, and adherence to security standards, ensures data protection.

Key strengths include its efficient modeling and code generation capabilities, graphical data representation, and comprehensive workflow management and monitoring. Users appreciate its ability to integrate multiple source systems and its overall scalability and stability.

However, Qlik Compose faces challenges in user experience, with some finding the UI complex and onboarding difficult. Performance can be an area of concern, particularly with large-volume data updates, which are reported to be slower than insertions. There are also calls for enhancements in ETL monitoring, batching capabilities, and improved technical documentation and support.

Overall, Qlik Compose is a valuable asset for organizations seeking to accelerate their data integration and warehousing initiatives through automation. Its strengths in design automation and broad compatibility make it a strong contender for managing complex data ecosystems. Addressing the noted areas for improvement, particularly in user experience and update performance, would further enhance its standing.

Note: The 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.