Problem
With the recent tip on the native SQL Server data modeling capabilities, questions arose about data modeling alternatives in the marketplace. The native tools are a very valuable free solution, but may lack advanced functionality needed in some circumstances. As such, this tip outlines the data modeling tools available for SQL Server which can be leveraged by DBAs and Developers to meet a variety of data modeling needs.
Solution
Below outlines some the SQL Server data modeling tools in the market place:
| ID | Product | Multi Platforms | Reverse Engineering | Forward Engineering | Auto Object Generation | Data Dictionary |
| 1 | Chilli Source’s Database Design Studio | * | * | * | * | |
| 2 | Computer Associate’s AllFusion® ERwin® Data Modeler | * | * | * | * | |
| 3 | Datanamic’s DeZign | * | * | * | * | |
| 4 | Embarcadero’s ER/Studio | * | * | * | ||
| 5 | ERBuilder Data Modeler | * | * | * | * | |
| 6 | Microsoft’s Visio | * | * | |||
| 7 | Quest’s Toad™ Data Modeler | * | * | * | * | |
| 8 | Sybase PowerDesinger | * | * | * | ||
| 9 | XCase | * | * | * |
Next Steps
- Evaluate your current data modeling needs to determine if the native tool set will support your efforts.
- If the native tool set does not meet your needs, review the tools listed about and consider evaluating 1 or more of these tools. Most of the vendors offer a trial version of their software which can be tested to ensure it meets your needs.
- If you have worked with other SQL Server data modeling tools, please let us know by sending an email to tips@mssqltips.com with the pertinent information.
Jeremy Kadlec is a Founder, Editor and Author at MSSQLTips.com with more than 300 contributions and 25+ years of SQL Server experience. Jeremy leads a team of more than 300 authors helping millions of SQL Server professionals around the globe every second of the day for the last 20 years. He is also the CTO @ Edgewood Solutions and a six-time SQL Server MVP based on his community contributions. Jeremy brings 25+ years of SQL Server DBA and Developer knowledge to the community and holds a bachelor’s degree from SSU and master’s degree from UMBC.
