Altair Monarch
By Altair Engineering Inc
Altair Monarch typical implementation process:
Download and Run Installer: Download the Altair Monarch installer and run the setup program. The installer guides you through a series of prompts to start the installation process.
Select Bitness and Accept License Agreement: Choose the appropriate software bitness (32-bit or 64-bit) and accept the end-user license agreement to proceed.
Altair Monarch is highly customizable to fit specific business needs, offering a range of features that allow users to tailor data preparation processes without requiring programming expertise.
1. Custom Data Cleansing Macros
Monarch Data Prep Studio enables users to create macros that combine a series of data preparation functions into a single step. These macros can be applied to multiple columns and tables across workspaces, streamlining repetitive tasks and ensuring consistency in data processing.
2. Workflow Automation
Users can automate data preparation tasks by creating reusable workflows. These workflows can be scheduled or triggered by specific events, reducing manual intervention and increasing efficiency in data processing. TrueInsight Channel.
3. Conditional Data Processing
Monarch allows for conditional processing, enabling users to define rules that determine how data is transformed based on specific criteria. This feature supports complex data scenarios requiring different processing paths depending on data values. TrueInsight Channel.
4. Integration with Various Data Sources
The software supports direct connections to a wide range of data sources, including PDFs, spreadsheets, SQL databases, cloud data, and big data sources. This flexibility allows businesses to customize data extraction and transformation processes according to their unique data environments.
5. Custom Templates and Field Definitions
Users can create custom templates to extract data from semi-structured sources like PDFs and text files. The ability to define and name fields manually ensures that the extracted data aligns with specific business requirements.
6. Pre-Built Functions and No-Code Interface
With over 80 pre-built data preparation functions and a user-friendly, no-code interface, Monarch allows users to customize data transformation processes without the need for programming skills. This accessibility empowers business users to tailor data workflows to their specific needs.
Altair's flexible licensing model, known as Altair Units, allows organizations to scale their usage of Monarch and other Altair products according to their needs. This model provides access to a suite of data analytics and AI tools, enabling businesses to expand their data processing capabilities as required.
Altair Monarch provides a suite of training and support resources to assist new users in effectively utilizing the software. Here's an overview of the available options:
1. Monarch Deep Dive: Comprehensive Interactive Training
Altair offers a three-part training series designed for both new and advanced users:
Part 1: Introduces Monarch Complete, Classic, Data Prep Studio, and Data Acquisition.
Part 2: Covers basic and advanced report and worksheet designs.
Part 3: Explores advanced data preparation and analytics solutions beyond Monarch.
These sessions provide a structured learning path to help users become proficient in Monarch's functionalities.
2. Skill Spotlight Series
This series focuses on specific skills within Monarch, offering targeted training on topics such as:
Basic Trapping: Techniques for extracting data from structured reports.
Advanced Trapping: Strategies for handling complex, semi-structured reports.
Basic Data Prep: Fundamentals of data cleaning and transformation.
Advanced Data Prep: Advanced techniques for complex data transformation tasks.
3. Video Library
Altair provides a collection of on-demand videos covering various aspects of Monarch, including:
Workspace navigation
Automating recurring tasks
Advanced modeling techniques
Building data models
These resources are designed to support users in learning at their own pace.
4. Beginner Exercises
For hands-on practice, Altair offers beginner exercises that cover essential features of Monarch Classic and Data Prep Studio. These exercises are accompanied by video demonstrations to reinforce learning.
Altair Monarch implements a suite of security measures to protect user data across its desktop and server environments. Below is an overview of the key security features:
Encrypted Index Values: Monarch Server allows encryption of string index values using the AES algorithm. This ensures that sensitive data, such as document names and search criteria, is protected within the database.
Key Management: Administrators can generate and manage encryption keys using the Key Generator application, supporting algorithms like AES128, AES256, and RSA.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification: Altair's information security management system is certified under ISO/IEC 27001:2022, covering all sites and functions globally.
SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance: Altair maintains SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, demonstrating effective security controls and practices to protect customer data. altairglobal.com+1altairglobal.com+1
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Administrators can define roles with specific rights and privileges, assigning them to users or groups to control access within Monarch Server.
Credential Management: In Monarch Data Prep Studio, users can configure how passwords and sensitive connection string parameters are handled when saving workspaces, choosing to always save, prompt, or never save such information.
Altair Monarch follows a structured release schedule to ensure the software remains up-to-date with the latest features, security enhancements, and performance improvements. Here's an overview of the update frequency and management practices:
Major Releases: Altair typically issues major software updates every 12 to 24 months. These updates often introduce significant new features and enhancements.
Minor Releases: Minor version upgrades are generally released every 6 to 9 months. These updates may include new features, performance improvements, and minor enhancements.
Maintenance Releases: Maintenance or patch releases are provided as needed to address bugs, security vulnerabilities, and other issues.
Upgrade Process: When performing a major upgrade (e.g., from version 2020 to 2021), a new license or activation code is required. For minor upgrades (e.g., from version 2020.0 to 2020.1), the existing license typically remains valid.
Installation Options: Users can choose to install the new version over the existing application or uninstall the old version before installing the new one. The preferred method depends on the type of upgrade being performed.
Support for Versions: Altair supports the current major version and one major version behind it (N-1). This policy ensures that users have access to support for their current software version and the immediate predecessor.
Altair Monarch contract renewal and cancellation policies are outlined in its licensing agreements and have evolved over time, particularly with the transition from perpetual licenses to subscription-based models. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Annual Licenses: These licenses are typically for a 12-month term and may automatically renew unless either party provides written notice of intent not to renew.
Perpetual Licenses: Historically, Monarch offered perpetual licenses with optional annual maintenance agreements. However, Altair has phased out support for legacy perpetual licenses that relied on third-party activation servers (e.g., Nalpeiron). Users with active maintenance contracts were eligible for upgrades to the new licensing system.
Subscription Licenses: Subscription-based licenses are time-limited to the term specified in the purchase agreement. If a term extension is not purchased before the current term expires, the license and associated agreements terminate. altair.de
By Licensee: Users may terminate their license at any time by destroying all copies of the software and providing written notice to Altair. Pre-paid fees are non-refundable, and if the licensee has not paid all fees due, they are obligated to pay the full amount that would have become due during the term.
By Altair: Altair may terminate the agreement if the licensee fails to comply with any terms, including non-payment or violation of license restrictions. Upon termination, the licensee must cease using the software and destroy all copies.
Altair provides mechanisms for deactivating licenses, both online and offline, to facilitate the transfer of licenses to different machines. This process involves using the License Manager or contacting Altair Support.
Maintenance Lapse: If maintenance lapses for more than six months, it is not eligible for reinstatement. Reinstating lapsed maintenance may require payment for the full lapsed period plus the annual period going forward, in addition to a reinstatement fee.
Altair Monarch aligns with several key compliance standards and certifications, ensuring robust data protection and security measures. Here are the primary compliance frameworks that Altair Monarch adheres to:
Altair has achieved the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, an internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). This certification confirms that Altair has implemented a comprehensive system to manage risks related to the security of data, encompassing controls for web filtering, cloud security, threat intelligence, and support for hybrid and remote work environments.
Altair is compliant with the SOC 2 Type 2 standard, which assesses the effectiveness of an organization's controls relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. This compliance demonstrates Altair's commitment to maintaining stringent security controls and practices to protect customer data.
Altair complies with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), including the UK Extension and the Swiss-U.S. DPF. This certification ensures that personal data transferred from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland to the United States is handled by rigorous privacy standards.
Altair's certification roadmap includes compliance with the Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks. This compliance ensures that Altair's customers receive sustainable and upgradable protection against ongoing and emerging threats
