Elastic Observability

Frequently Asked Questions about Elastic Observability

Who are Elastic?

Elastic is a software company that provides solutions for search, observability, security, and analytics. Founded in 2012, Elastic is known for its open-source products, including Elasticsearch, Kibana, Beats, and Logstash, which help organisations manage and analyse data effectively.

What are Elastics products?

Elastic offers a range of products, including:

• Elasticsearch: A distributed search and analytics engine.
• Kibana: A visualisation tool for data stored in Elasticsearch.
• Beats: Lightweight data shippers that send data to Elasticsearch.
• Logstash: A data processing pipeline for ingesting and transforming data.
• Elastic Observability: A solution that helps monitor and troubleshoot performance across applications and infrastructure.

What services do Elastic offer?

Elastic offers various services, including cloud hosting, consulting, training, and support for their products. They also provide managed services for their Elastic Stack, allowing organisations to focus on their core operations while Elastic manages the infrastructure.

What type of companies do Elastics products suit?

Elastics products are suitable for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to large enterprises. They are particularly beneficial for organisations that require robust data search and analytics capabilities, including those in technology, finance, healthcare, and e-commerce sectors.

How much does Elastics product cost?

Elastic offers a variety of pricing models based on the specific product and deployment method (self-managed or hosted). Pricing can vary significantly depending on the scale of usage, required features, and support levels. For detailed pricing information, it is recommended to visit the Elastic website or contact their sales team.

Does Elastic offer a free trial?

Yes, Elastic offers a free trial for their cloud-hosted services, allowing users to explore the capabilities of Elastic Observability and other products without financial commitment.

What discounts does Elastic offer on their products?

Elastic occasionally provides discounts or promotional offers, particularly for educational institutions, non-profit organisations, and during special events. Users are encouraged to check the website or contact Elastic for current offers.

Are there any hidden fees or additional costs with Elastic?

Elastics pricing is generally transparent; however, additional costs may arise from specific usage levels, advanced features, or premium support services. It is advisable to review the pricing details and consult with Elastic representatives for clarification.

Who uses Elastics products?

Elastics products are used by a diverse array of organisations, including IT teams, data analysts, security professionals, and developers. Their solutions are designed to meet the needs of various roles within an organisation that require insights from large data sets.

What are the main features of Elastics products/services?

Key features of Elastic Observability include:

• Real-time monitoring and analytics of application performance and infrastructure.
• Centralised logging with powerful search capabilities.
• Customisable dashboards and visualisations through Kibana.
• Automated alerts for performance issues and anomalies.
• Integration with various data sources and applications.

How does Elastic compare to its competitors?

Elastic is often compared to other observability tools such as Splunk, Datadog, and New Relic. While each platform has its strengths, Elastic is noted for its flexibility, scalability, and open-source foundation, which allows for extensive customisation and integration options.

Is Elastics platform easy to use?

Elastics platform is designed with user experience in mind; however, the ease of use can depend on the users familiarity with data analytics and configuration. The interface is generally intuitive, but users may benefit from training or tutorials to maximise its capabilities.

How easy is it to set up Elastics product or service?

Setting up Elastic products varies based on the deployment method. The cloud-hosted options typically offer a more straightforward setup process, whereas self-managed installations may require more technical expertise. Comprehensive documentation is available to assist users during setup.

Is Elastic reliable?

Elastic is considered a reliable platform, often used by organisations requiring consistent performance for mission-critical applications. The architecture supports scalability and redundancy, contributing to its reliability.

Does Elastic offer customer support?

Yes, Elastic provides customer support through various channels, including documentation, community forums, and dedicated support services for enterprise customers. Support options vary based on the subscription plan.

How secure is Elastic’s platform?

Elastic takes security seriously and implements various measures, including encryption, access controls, and regular security updates, to protect user data. Users can also customise security settings to meet their specific needs.

Does Elastic integrate with other tools or platforms?

Yes, Elastic integrates with a variety of tools and platforms, including popular cloud providers, CI/CD tools, and other observability solutions, allowing for a seamless data flow and enhanced functionality within existing workflows.

Can I use Elastic on mobile devices?

While Elastic’s primary interfaces are web-based, users can access their data and dashboards via mobile devices through compatible browsers. There is currently no dedicated mobile application.

What do users say about Elastic?

User feedback on Elastic is generally positive, with many praising its powerful search capabilities, flexibility, and integration options. However, some users have noted a learning curve associated with more advanced features.

What are the pros and cons of Elastic?

Pros:

• Highly customisable and scalable.
• Strong community and extensive documentation.
• Robust search and analytics capabilities.

Cons:

• Can be complex for new users.
• Self-managed deployments require technical expertise.

How can I purchase Elastic’s services?

Users can purchase Elastics services directly through the Elastic website. Interested parties can select their preferred products, choose a deployment method, and complete the checkout process online.

What is the cancellation or refund policy for Elastic?

Elastics cancellation and refund policies vary based on the service agreement. It is recommended to review the specific terms outlined at the time of purchase or contact Elastic’s support for detailed information.

What are the common use cases for Elastic?

Common use cases for Elastic include:

• Monitoring application performance and uptime.
• Centralised logging for troubleshooting and analysis.
• Data visualisation for business intelligence.
• Security information and event management (SIEM).

Why choose Elastic over other options?

Elastic offers a unique combination of open-source flexibility, scalability, and powerful search capabilities. Its integration options and extensive customisation make it a strong choice for organisations with diverse data needs.

How easy is it to set up Elastic?

Setting up Elastic can vary in ease, depending on the chosen deployment method. The cloud-hosted solutions are typically quicker to configure, while self-managed setups may require additional technical knowledge.

Does Elastic offer training or tutorials?

Yes, Elastic provides a range of training resources, including online courses, webinars, and documentation to help users understand and effectively utilise their products.

What languages does Elastic support?

Elastics platform supports multiple languages, primarily focusing on English. However, the community and documentation may also include resources in other languages, depending on user contributions.

What problems does Elastic solve?

Elastic helps organisations address challenges related to data visibility, performance monitoring, log management, and security analysis, enabling them to make informed decisions based on real-time insights.

Is Elastic worth the investment?

Many organisations find Elastic to be a worthwhile investment due to its robust capabilities, scalability, and the ability to derive actionable insights from large data sets. The value ultimately depends on the specific needs and use cases of the organisation.