How does Utilihive compare to Apache NiFi?

Apache NiFi (https://nifi.apache.org/) is an open source integration framework using a flow-based programming model to automate the flow of data between systems. Apache NiFi is commonly used as an integration library, especially for big data integration scenarios in a distributed architecture. Apache NiFi is a useful framework to handle data integration and process high volume data in a flexible way.

Utilihive and Apache NiFi have some similarities. Firstly, both are used to define, manage, and monitor complex and diverse data flows between distributed systems. Secondly, Utilihive and Apache NiFi provide integration capabilities such as messaging and guaranteed delivery, prioritized queuing, message buffering, data-based event processing, a huge library of connectors, and a visual interface to develop, configure, and manage data flows. Lastly, Utilihive and Apache NiFi are open solutions that easily extend with custom integration artefacts using the built-in SDK and APIs.

While Utilihive and Apache NiFi are purpose-built for big data and high-volume integration scenarios, Utilihive offers several key advantages. These characteristics are especially beneficial for mission-critical, enterprise scenarios found in utilities including smart metering operations, smart grid and asset management, intelligent grid operations, service innovation development and client relationship management use cases:

• Apache NiFi is a framework while Utilihive is an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service). In practical terms, this means that by using Apache NiFi, you would be responsible for installing, configuring, setting up, monitoring and operating the infrastructure and the core platform yourself. In contrast, with Utilihive, all aspects of the infrastructure and platform operations are included in the subscription, giving you enterprise support.
  
  
• Apache NiFi uses a flow-based programming methodology. Utilihive uses a (F)Lowcode DSL to model and describe the specific data flows. The (F)Lowcode DSL can be displayed both in a graphical flow model, a semi-graphical model or in a script style that offers integration developers greater flexibility to choose the way they work when using the Utilihive environment. But even more importantly, the Utilihive (F)Lowcode DSL can be seamlessly integrated to your CICD pipeline (Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery) resulting to in a higher quality in your integration code. The CICD integration benefits enable key resource-saving advantages, for example, automated testing, automated building, automated deployment and an easier way to debug your code.
  
  
• Apache NiFi and Utilihive* both provide monitoring capabilities for data flows. Apache NiFi monitoring focuses on "technical" monitoring, whereas Utilihive Heartbeat uses its built-in Utilihive Heartbeat monitoring capabilities. Heartbeat provides both technical and business user oriented monitoring. This allows technical staff and domain experts to analyze data flows from a business transactional point of view. (*Utilihive utilizes its built-in Utilihive Heartbeat monitoring capabilities)
  
  
• Apache NiFi outperforms many other integration frameworks or commercial iPaaS when it comes to scalability in big data scenarios. Utilihive also outperforms many others since it is purpose-built for mission-critical big data integrations. To compare performance we can look at a real life test from one of our utility clients in Far East Asia. The project demonstrated that Utilihive can outperform Apache NiFi (circa 10 times) when handling complex AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) data integrations for millions of smart meters (each of which is providing readings, measurements, alarms / events on multiple channels).
  
  
• Apache NiFi is industry-agnostic. Utilihive's core platform is also industry-agnostic. However, in addition to cross-industry advantages, Utilihive provides a wide range of utility-specific accelerators purpose-built for digital multi-utilities and energy industry uses cases.

In conclusion, both Apache NiFi and Utilihive are superior when it comes to complex big data integration processing. As a utility operating mission-critical infrastructure, you would typically require enterprise support, a seamless CICD pipeline to ensure the quality of your solution and elastic and dynamic scalability to handle the tsunami of big energy data. As a utility operating in this complex, data-driven environment, you can definitely benefit from Utilihive Accelerators including:

• Utilihive Connectors providing a comprehensive range of pre-built integrations to the most commonly used operational support systems in the energy sector
  
• Utilihive Dataflows providing pre-configured and customizable best-practise / next-practice data flow templates for typical use cases
  
• Utilihive SMOC (Smart Meter Operations Center) for centralized smart infrastructure monitoring and management
  
• Utilihive Datalake providing a distributed data mesh optimized for energy use cases
  
• Additional Utilihive Accelerators