# Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) vs Microsoft SQL Server Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Microsoft SQL Server excels in handling enterprise-level capabilities, making it a preferred choice for organizations dealing with high data volumes. Users appreciate its robust database management and performance tuning features, which are crucial for optimizing query execution.
- **Users say** that Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) offers a seamless integration of cost and schedule data, particularly at the Control Account level. This feature enhances tracking of actuals and commitments, which is vital for effective project management.
- **Reviewers mention** that Microsoft SQL Server provides a mature ecosystem for database management, with strong security and high availability. This reliability is a significant factor for businesses that require consistent performance and data integrity.
- **According to verified reviews** , users find that Contruent Enterprise shines in its ability to integrate with various project control systems, which enhances overall reporting capabilities. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for small businesses looking to streamline their project management processes.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that Microsoft SQL Server's query optimizer and execution plans simplify performance tuning, allowing users to understand and manage their database operations effectively. This level of insight is often cited as a key advantage for technical teams.
- **Users express** that while Contruent Enterprise is useful for contract management and cost control, it faces challenges in ease of setup and overall user experience compared to Microsoft SQL Server, which is noted for its intuitive onboarding process and user-friendly interface.



| | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 13 | 2,284 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (45.5% of reviews) | Enterprise (45.3% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)

Pros:
- Reporting (4 reviews)
- Reporting Features (4 reviews)

Cons:
- Data Entry Issues (2 reviews)
- Difficult Navigation (2 reviews)

### Microsoft SQL Server

Pros:
- Ease of Use (29 reviews)
- Database Management (24 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (21 reviews)
- High Licensing Cost (12 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.2 (11 reviews) | 9.0 (1872 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.4 (11 reviews) | 8.6 (1890 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 6.4 (7 reviews) | 8.1 (1013 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | 8.3 (954 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.8 (9 reviews) | 8.3 (1666 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | 8.4 (903 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.9 (11 reviews) | 8.4 (1841 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Microsoft SQL Server

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Project and Portfolio Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Portfolio Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Portfolio Types** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alignment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Portfolio Mix** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Project Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Dependencies** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Priorities** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Lean Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Resource Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Definition** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Allocation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Data & Analytics

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Consolidation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Visualizations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Strategy - Project and Portfolio Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Simulation** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Objectives** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Visiblity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alignment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Implementation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Prioritization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Project Cost Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | 7.7/10 | 7 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Cost Tracking

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Identification** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Allocation** | 6.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Standard Costs** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Capital Project Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | 7.4/10 | 7 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Planning

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Budgeting** | 6.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Scope** | 7.2 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Schedule** | 7.5 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Workflows** | 6.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cost Control** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Documents** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Construction Project Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Task Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Construction Accounting Tool Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Construction Estimating Tool Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Construction Workforce Management Tool Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Project Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Information Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Communication and Collaboration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Site Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Field Service Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Field Collaboration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile App** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Field Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Timesheets** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Photo and Video Uploads** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Workforce Scheduling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Earned Value Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | 8.1/10 | 5 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Earned Value

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Baseline** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Calculations** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Best Practices** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Performance

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Import** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Planned Value** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **KPIs** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Variance Analysis** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Integration

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Project Management** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **PPM** | 7.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Finance** | 6.3 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Database Management Systems (DBMS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 9.0/10 | 176 |

#### Management

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data dictionary** | Not enough data | 8.9 (155 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | 8.8 (153 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | Not enough data | 9.2 (161 reviews) | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | 8.9 (155 reviews) | 
| **Performance Analysis** | Not enough data | 8.9 (160 reviews) | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | 8.9 (158 reviews) | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | 9.0 (163 reviews) | 
| **Multi-User Environment** | Not enough data | 9.1 (155 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | Not enough data | 8.9 (153 reviews) | 
| **User Access Control** | Not enough data | 9.1 (155 reviews) | 

### Relational Databases

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.8/10 | 1469 |

#### Management 

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Schema** | Not enough data | 9.1 (152 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | Not enough data | 9.2 (157 reviews) | 
| **ACID - Complaint** | Not enough data | 8.8 (141 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | 8.8 (141 reviews) | 

#### Support 

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Text Search** | Not enough data | 8.5 (144 reviews) | 
| **Data Types** | Not enough data | 9.0 (150 reviews) | 
| **Languages** | Not enough data | 8.6 (144 reviews) | 
| **Operating Systems** | Not enough data | 8.3 (154 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Locking** | Not enough data | 8.8 (149 reviews) | 
| **Access Control** | Not enough data | 9.0 (151 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | 8.8 (147 reviews) | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | 9.0 (149 reviews) | 

#### Performance 

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Disaster Recovery** | Not enough data | 8.7 (149 reviews) | 
| **Data Concurrency** | Not enough data | 8.8 (142 reviews) | 
| **Workload Management** | Not enough data | 8.7 (152 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Indexing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (147 reviews) | 
| **Query Optimizer** | Not enough data | 8.8 (150 reviews) | 

#### Database Features

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Storage** | Not enough data | 8.9 (1299 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | Not enough data | 9.0 (1302 reviews) | 
| **Stability** | Not enough data | 8.9 (1314 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | Not enough data | 8.7 (1281 reviews) | 
| **Security** | Not enough data | 8.8 (1278 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | Not enough data | 8.8 (1281 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | Not enough data | 9.1 (1301 reviews) | 

### Big Data Processing and Distribution

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | 8.4/10 | 62 |

#### Database

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Real-Time Data Collection** | Not enough data | 8.6 (58 reviews) | 
| **Data Distribution** | Not enough data | 8.8 (57 reviews) | 
| **Data Lake** | Not enough data | 8.4 (54 reviews) | 

#### Integrations

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Hadoop Integration** | Not enough data | 7.8 (45 reviews) | 
| **Spark Integration** | Not enough data | 8.2 (46 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Machine Scaling** | Not enough data | 8.2 (50 reviews) | 
| **Data Preparation** | Not enough data | 8.5 (54 reviews) | 
| **Spark Integration** | Not enough data | 8.2 (46 reviews) | 

#### Processing

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cloud Processing** | Not enough data | 8.6 (53 reviews) | 
| **Workload Processing** | Not enough data | 8.5 (56 reviews) | 

### Big Data

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Microsoft SQL Server** | N/A | N/A |

#### Building Reports

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **WYSIWYG Report Design** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Mobile User Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sandbox / Test Environments** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Breadth of Partner Applications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [On-Premise Data Integration Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/on-premise-data-integration)

**Unique to Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) (5):** [Earned Value Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/earned-value-management), [Capital Project Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/capital-project-management), [Project Cost Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/project-cost-management), [Project and Portfolio Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/project-and-portfolio-management), [Construction Project Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/construction-project-management)

**Unique to Microsoft SQL Server (3):** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases), [Database Management Systems (DBMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-management-systems-dbms), [Big Data Processing And Distribution Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/big-data-processing-and-distribution)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM) | Microsoft SQL Server | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 45.5% | 18.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 36.4% | 36.5% | 
| **Enterprise** | 18.2% | 45.3% | 

### By Industry

#### Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)

- **Mining & Metals:** 27.3%
- **Construction:** 18.2%
- **Research:** 9.1%
- **Publishing:** 9.1%
- **Management Consulting:** 9.1%
- **Information Services:** 9.1%
- **Civil Engineering:** 9.1%
- **Chemicals:** 9.1%

#### Microsoft SQL Server

- **Information Technology and Services:** 24.1%
- **Computer Software:** 13.8%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 5.4%
- **Financial Services:** 4.3%
- **Higher Education:** 2.9%
- **Education Management:** 2.6%
- **Banking:** 2.5%
- **Government Administration:** 2.4%
- **Insurance:** 2.4%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 37.5%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)

- [Oracle Primavera](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-primavera/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (387 reviews)
- [Octave Sequence Enterprise (EcoSys)](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-sequence-enterprise-ecosys/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (94 reviews)
- [Microsoft Project & Portfolio Management](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-project-portfolio-management/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (1627 reviews)
- [Procore](https://www.g2.com/products/procore/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (4182 reviews)
- [Smartsheet](https://www.g2.com/products/smartsheet/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (22327 reviews)
- [Harvest](https://www.g2.com/products/harvest/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (836 reviews)
- [ClickUp](https://www.g2.com/products/clickup/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (12622 reviews)
- [Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud)](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-forma-formerly-autodesk-construction-cloud/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (5382 reviews)
- [monday Work Management](https://www.g2.com/products/monday-com/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (15446 reviews)
- [Wrike](https://www.g2.com/products/wrike/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (4531 reviews)

### Alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server

- [Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-autonomous-knowledge-platform/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (375 reviews)
- [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (620 reviews)
- [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (366 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (755 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1679 reviews)
- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1011 reviews)
- [Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (908 reviews)
- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (682 reviews)
- [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (682 reviews)
- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Contruent Enterprise (formerly ARES PRISM)

No discussions available for this product.

### Microsoft SQL Server

- Title: [How can I work on the same query if the connection is lost (timeout) and then I reconnect?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15675-how-can-i-work-on-the-same-query-if-the-connection-is-lost-timeout-and-then-i-reconnect) — 4 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "You can change the timeout for the query:

In the object explorer, right click a server and select properties. 
Go to Remote server connections, look for ..."
- Title: [How could I make much easier the experience with the order of my database?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/13520-how-could-i-make-much-easier-the-experience-with-the-order-of-my-database) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "If you have SQL knowledge you can generate queries to obtain the specific data you're looking for based on selected criteria."
- Title: [What is the best way to save your queries?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12127-what-is-the-best-way-to-save-your-queries) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "I recommend that you use the saved querys in plain text or .sql or txt format you can use the same sql server query creator or a notepad +++ tool, they are..."
- Title: [Is there a free version of Microsoft SQL Server?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-there-a-free-version-of-microsoft-sql-server) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "yes, SQL Server Express offers it as a free edition. It provides service, albeit in a limited framework."
- Title: [how did you import a MySQL database?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-did-you-import-a-mysql-database) — 3 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "You can use the LinkedServer feature to mySQL database using the provider.
Check here for further..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/contruent-enterprise-formerly-ares-prism-vs-microsoft-sql-server)