Virtual Data Platform

Virtual Data Platform (VDP) provides live access to enterprise data across systems and networks without copying it into a warehouse or lake. Queries run against source systems, with results combined in an in-memory sandbox for each user. Its low-code Modeler builds reusable Virtual Datasets from Functions, Code Files, Models, and Value Lists. People can use those datasets through Excel, Power BI, Python, R, and MCP-capable AI assistants. Listed integrations include SAP, Snowflake, Salesforce, Workday, SQL Server, SharePoint, ODBC, OData, Oracle, PostgreSQL, BigQuery, and Dynamics 365. Users sign in with Microsoft Entra ID, and source permissions apply to queries under the requesting user's identity. The maker describes outbound-only gateway connections, TLS connections, encrypted payloads, and results held in memory rather than saved to disk. The service is described as GDPR-aligned and hosted in the EU on Microsoft Azure; the maker says it makes no certification claims today. A Dedicated tier offers a dedicated backend cluster and Azure Private Endpoints. Pricing is available on request, and a free trial is offered in an isolated tenant with no duration stated. VDP was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Gröbenzell, Germany.

VDP focuses on live queries, per-user permissions, and reusable datasets across enterprise sources. Organizations should weigh its cloud-hosted model and request pricing and trial details before evaluating fit.

VDP is developed for organizations that need governed access to enterprise data across systems and network boundaries. Its user and creator licenses distinguish viewing and executing datasets from creating and modeling them.

Virtual Data Platform (VDP) lets organizations query enterprise data across systems without first copying it into a warehouse or lake. It is best suited to teams that need governed access across organizational or network boundaries. Its chief advantage is applying each user's source permissions; the trade-off is reliance on live connections to those sources.

Overview

VDP combines live query results in an in-memory sandbox for each user rather than maintaining a replicated central dataset. That can simplify access to data held in multiple systems, but it also means queries depend on those systems being reachable. Organizations seeking a durable, independently stored copy of source data should look elsewhere.

Key features

Users sign in with Microsoft Entra ID, and queries use the requesting user's identity so source-system permissions carry through. This is a meaningful fit for organizations that want existing access controls to govern cross-system queries. VDP does not provide row-level security, so teams requiring that specific control should not treat identity-based permissions as a substitute.

The low-code Modeler creates reusable Virtual Datasets from Functions, Code Files, Models, and Value Lists. VDP_User licenses can view and execute datasets; creating and modeling them requires the VDP_Creator add-on as well as a User license. That division lets organizations limit creator privileges, but modeling access adds a separate license requirement.

Datasets can be consumed through Excel, Power BI, Python, R, and MCP-capable AI assistants. SQL querying and API access are supported. Listed integrations span SAP, Snowflake, Salesforce, Workday, SQL Server, SharePoint, ODBC, OData, Oracle, PostgreSQL, BigQuery, and Dynamics 365, making the platform relevant to teams working across several enterprise data sources.

Gateways connect outbound only, so they do not require inbound firewall rules. The security page describes TLS on every connection, encrypted payloads, and results held in memory rather than persisted to disk. The service is described as GDPR-aligned and hosted in the EU on Microsoft Azure, but the maker makes no certification claims. A Dedicated tier adds a dedicated backend cluster and Azure Private Endpoints for private networking.

Pricing

VDP is paid, with custom pricing. The Virtual Data Platform plan includes User and Creator licenses, and a dedicated deployment tier is available. Organizations should request pricing and trial terms, particularly if they need to estimate the cost of granting modeling privileges or private networking.

Platforms

The platform lists Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, web, and API support. Its responsive web Portal works on desktop, tablet, and mobile. Gateway evaluation builds are listed for Windows and macOS, while Agent documentation lists Windows and Linux; these deployment details do not establish equivalent native apps for every listed platform.

Who it's for

VDP is aimed at organizations seeking secure, governed access to enterprise data across systems and network boundaries. It fits teams that want queries to honor each user's source permissions and need reusable datasets for multiple clients. It is a weaker fit for buyers who require self-hosting, row-level security, or a copied data store: VDP is cloud-hosted and not self-hosted.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Queries use source-system permissions under the requesting user's identity, which can carry established controls into cross-system access.
• Pros: Reusable datasets support SQL, APIs, and several familiar analysis and coding clients, including Excel, Power BI, Python, and R.
• Pros: Outbound-only gateways avoid inbound firewall rules, and the Dedicated tier offers private endpoints.
• Cons: Live queries depend on source systems being reachable, unlike a workflow based on a separately replicated store.
• Cons: There is no row-level security or self-hosted deployment option.
• Cons: Creator privileges require an add-on license, while pricing and trial duration need to be confirmed with the maker.

Alternatives

Apache Drill suits buyers seeking free, downloadable software for embedded or cluster deployment rather than a paid cloud-hosted service.

Denodo Platform may fit teams wanting a free Developer plan, which includes a single server, four cores, 50 data products, and 2.5 TB per year.

Query Streams is an option for teams willing to start on a free plan with limits including one data source and 5 MB of monthly query traffic.

Starburst Galaxy offers a free plan billed free forever with up to three clusters, for buyers who want that stated starting allowance.

Teiid is a free, self-hosted open-source data virtualization project.

PrestoDB is a free, self-hosted open-source SQL query engine.

Spice.ai OSS is a free Apache 2.0-licensed option distributed as a self-hostable binary or Docker image.

For broader comparisons, browse Data Virtualization Software or Data Federation Software.

Verdict

Choose VDP if your organization needs live, cross-system access that follows each user's source permissions, with reusable datasets for varied clients. Its combination of identity-aware queries and outbound-only gateways is the clearest reason to consider it. Look elsewhere if self-hosting, row-level security, or a published price and trial duration are essential to your decision.