Comparing BimlExpress and BIDS Helper / BI Developer Extensions
Note: In August 2017, BIDS Helper was renamed to BI Developer Extensions. You may still see references to BIDS Helper in menus and documentation.
BI Developer Extensions is a free Visual Studio add-in that enhances development functionality in Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) and SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT). It includes the Biml engine, but also includes many other features.
BimlExpress is Varigence's free Visual Studio add-in, created specifically for working on Biml projects. In addition to all the features found in BI Developer Extensions, BimlExpress also provides a full BimlScript code editor with advanced Intelliprompt, support for adding code files from menus, and additional features can be enabled per product key.
| Feature | BI Developer Extensions | BimlExpress |
|---|---|---|
Relational Databases |
||
| Model relational database objects | X | X |
| Produce DDL for any ANSI SQL compliant RDBMS | X | X |
| Import relational database objects from Bimlscript code | X | X |
| Import relational database objects using visual UI | ||
Integration Services (SSIS) |
||
| Model SSIS Packages | X | X |
| Generate packages (DTSX files) | X | X |
| Generate SSIS projects (DTProj, Params, ISPAC files) | ||
| Import SSIS packages and projects | ||
| Easier use of Feature Packs & 3rd party Task/Components | ||
Analysis Services |
||
| Model SSAS Cubes | ||
| Model SSAS Tabular and PowerPivot | ||
| Generate SSAS cubes, tabular models, and PowerPivot | ||
| Import cubes, tabular models, and PowerPivot | ||
Scripting |
||
| Automate Biml with BimlScript code nuggets | X | X |
| Customize validation with your own errors and warnings | X | X |
| Use Transformers to modify objects and inject patterns | ||
| Organize Transformers and Bimlscripts into reusable Frameworks | ||
User Interface |
||
| Bimlscript code editor with advanced Intelliprompt | X | |
| BimlScript code editor with C# & VB code completion | ||
| Visual Designers for all Biml objects | ||
| Live view of objects as you code | ||
Automation |
||
| Command line compiler | ||
| MSBuild support | ||
| API Access from external applications | ||
Extensibility |
||
| Extend the Biml Language | ||
| Extend Mist UI | ||
| Redistribute BimlEngine binaries (OEM) | ||
| Host Bimlengine binaries in a value-added service (SaaS) | ||
Metadata Management |
||
| Create reusable models for metadata storage | ||
| Autogeneration of metadata entry UI based on metadata models | ||
| Consistent and friendly API for accessing stored metadata | ||
| Plugin model allows storage of metadata anywhere |