Data Stage Tx and Commerce Manager

EDI brothers and sisters,

 

This long time GENTRAN:Server analyst is learning a new tool: the translator formerly known as Mercator, Data Stage Tx.

 

First let me say this about that. I think GENTRAN:Server for Unix is a great tool. It's served EDI and flat files well to me for several years. It's been a good run, yet Sterling is too expensive and not as flexible a mapping tool - or so I'm told.

 

Anyway, what do you all think about Commerce Manager? It seems to be the equivalent of GENTRAN:Server's TP administration feature, correct? Are there substitute, or alternatives to Commerce Manager which a shop can use with Data Stage Tx?

 

Also, it appears that a developer can't trim down the tree for standards. In other words, in GENTRAN:Server, one may mark and discard unused standard segments/elements (best for outbound parterships) for ease of viewing. With Data Stage Tx, the entire standard needs to be present, correct?

 

Thanks,

 

Gary