Ampool Active Data Store (ADS)

Ampool Active Data Store (ADS) is a distributed, in-memory data management platform built on Apache Geode that combines transactional and analytical SQL workloads in a single memory-centric system.

Reviewed by 7wData

On this page

Publisher review

Ampool Active Data Store (ADS) is a distributed, in-memory data management platform built on Apache Geode that combines transactional and analytical SQL workloads in a single memory-centric system. The platform enables real-time data ingestion, stream analytics, batch processing, interactive queries, and transactions without moving data between systems. ADS automatically tiers aging data to warm and cold storage tiers, reducing costs while maintaining fast access to hot data.

The system integrates with Apache Spark, Hive, Presto, and popular BI tools including Tableau, Looker, and QlikView, allowing users to accelerate SQL queries by up to 40-100x depending on workload type. Originally developed by Ampool Inc. (founded 2015, headquartered in Santa Clara, California), the product was acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprise in July 2021 and integrated into the HPE Ezmeral analytics platform. ADS supports HBase-like APIs alongside transactional SQL through frameworks like Apache Phoenix and Trafodion.

The platform is primarily deployed on AWS and integrates with HPE's broader hybrid cloud and GreenLake services. It targets data engineers, analytics teams, and organizations running latency-sensitive SQL workloads on large distributed datasets. For 2026, Ampool remains positioned within HPE's analytics stack, though standalone offerings continue available on AWS Marketplace.

Get the AI & data signal, daily.

48k+ subscribers read this every morning. One email, both newsletters. Unsubscribe anytime.

How it works

  1. Dual-Mode Analytics & Transactions

    Supports both OLAP (analytical) and OLTP (transactional) workloads from a single in-memory data store, eliminating the need for separate systems.

  2. Automatic Data Tiering

    Intelligently moves aging data from hot (in-memory) to warm and cold storage tiers, balancing performance with cost without manual intervention.

  3. Apache Geode Foundation

    Built on the proven Apache Geode distributed data platform, inheriting features like high concurrency, fault tolerance, and sub-millisecond latency.

  4. Multi-Framework Integration

    Integrates directly with Apache Spark, Hive, Presto, and BI platforms (Tableau, Looker, QlikView), allowing queries without ETL or data movement.

  5. Stream Ingestion & Real-Time Processing

    Accepts high-volume, low-latency data streams, enabling in-situ updates and analysis without buffering or staging.

  6. SQL Acceleration Layer

    Acts as a caching and query acceleration layer between BI tools and backend data sources, achieving 40-100x query speedups on typical workloads.

  7. Cloud and Hybrid Deployment

    Available on AWS Marketplace and integrates with HPE GreenLake for on-premises, hybrid cloud, and public cloud deployments.

Strengths and trade-offs

Strengths

  • Single system for transactional + analytical SQL eliminates costly ETL pipelines and dual-system complexity.
  • Automatic tiering balances sub-millisecond latency for hot data with cost efficiency for cold data, unlike static in-memory designs.
  • Achieves 40-100x query acceleration with direct Spark/Hive/Presto integration; no copying data into isolated caches.

Trade-offs

  • Absorbed into HPE Ezmeral ecosystem post-2021 acquisition; standalone product visibility and marketing have diminished; updates infrequent and largely undocumented publicly.
  • Learning curve for teams unfamiliar with Apache Geode; limited independent tooling compared to legacy databases; operational complexity around tiering policies.
  • No independently published pricing or SLA data; enterprise sales model and reliance on HPE partnerships limit transparency and barrier for smaller teams.

Pricing context

Ampool Active Data Store pricing is not publicly listed; the product is distributed through HPE Ezmeral subscriptions and AWS Marketplace under an undisclosed commercial model. Pricing likely follows HPE's per-core or subscription-based tiering for hybrid cloud deployments, with AWS Marketplace instances available at variable hourly rates dependent on cluster configuration. The product was acquired by HPE in July 2021 and is no longer sold independently, making it primarily accessible to customers already committed to HPE Ezmeral or using it as an embedded component of HPE's broader analytics suite.

Alternatives

User reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first to write one.

Sources

Reporting on this tool draws on these publicly available sources.

  1. www.crunchbase.com — Company founding date (2015), headquarters location (Santa Clara, CA), and HPE acquisition in 2021
  2. www.hpe.com — HPE acquisition details, integration with Ezmeral analytics platform, and use case for SQL acceleration
  3. siliconangle.com — Ampool as query acceleration platform, Apache Geode foundation, and integration with Tableau, Looker, QlikView BI tools
  4. www.theregister.com — Ampool's role in HPE Ezmeral, SQL query acceleration capabilities, and integration with Hadoop ecosystem
  5. aws.amazon.com — Ampool Active Data Store availability on AWS Marketplace
  6. craft.co — Market positioning and competitive landscape for in-memory data stores