Value Calculator. How does the Generator Save Your Money and Time?

So, you have decided that getting quality and realistic data for analyzing and testing your database is important for you. Assume that your database consists of 30 tables linked by relationships, and some of the fields have check constraints. Here are several methods to generate data for testing:

Method 1: preparing test data and scripts manually
Method 2: using simplest data generators that provide only basic functionality
Method 3: using data generators of middle price category: $100-$200
Method 4: using SQL test data tools of higher price category: $500 and higher
Method 5: with DTM Data Generator

The task of test data generation is split into several steps. Let's look at the expenses demanded by each of these methods. The cost of an hour's work of the developer or engineer is calculated according to a $50/hr rate.

Step	Method 1	Method 2	Method 3	Method 4	DTM Data Generator
Tools cost (US$)	0	50	150	500	From 149
Preparation	0	0.5 hours Installation and learning	0.5 hours Installation and learning	1 hour Installation and learning	0.5 hours Installation and learning
Tables cleaning: Determining execution order, cleaning	2 hours	2 hours No built-in tools, use Method 1	2 hours No built-in tools, use Method 1	0 Automated	0 The rule can be added by one click after the task is formed
Determining the order of filling the tables: Master-detail structure analyze	2 hours	2 hours No built-in tools, use Method 1	2 hours No built-in tools, use Method 1	0 Automated	0.1 hours Tables selection in Rule Wizard
Well known data arrays preparation: Countries, cities, etc.	5 hours	5 hours No built-in tools, use Method 1	0 Supplied with the product	0 Supplied with the product	0 Supplied with the product
Tables population: Constraints analyze, PK and FK analyze, etc.	0.5 * 30 tables = 15 hours	0.1 * 30 tables = 3 hours	0.1 hours	0.1 hours	0.1 hours Created automatically by the Rule Wizard
Data analyzing and post-processing	3 hours All data integrity rules	3 hours Aall data integrity rules	1 hours Check constraints	0 Usually not required	0 Usually not required
Total	27 hrs = $1350	15.5 hrs + $50 = $825	5.6 hrs + $150 = $430	1.1 hrs + $500 = $555	0.7 hrs + $149 = $184

The time of executing scripts or programs is not taken into account in the table as they are usually executed automatically; we only estimate the time spent on preparation. To estimate the expenses we used our own materials and clients' references.

So, our tool will save from $236 to $1154 for you when you create the first data generation task. When there are more than 30 tables in the database or when you have to fill several databases the savings can considerably grow. Are there any reasons that can make you refuse such economy? If there are, please tell us about them.