IBM WebSphere Message Broker Reviews

IBM WebSphere Message Broker users find the pricing structure involves significant costs, as licensing is typically managed by the customer. Many perceive IBM products to be more stable and feature-rich, but also notably more expensive than competitors. Additional fees are common, and users seek cost-management solutions through contracts. The consensus is that this solution is particularly costly, with some ranking the expense at high levels, prompting evaluations of more affordable alternatives.

• "IBM software can be costly, but having a contract has helped manage and potentially lower costs over time."
• "The licensing cost of IBM WebSphere Message Broker needs to be reduced"
• "The solution is expensive."

IBM WebSphere Message Broker is primarily used for connecting applications and integrating disparate systems, mainly in financial, banking, and healthcare sectors. It serves as an Enterprise Service Bus facilitating communication between heterogeneous applications, routing, data transformation, and enrichment. Widely deployed on-premises and as an application server, it supports APIs, point-to-point communications, and service exposure at the application level, aiding diverse architectures and interfacing with platforms like Finacle and SaaS.

IBM WebSphere Message Broker customer service and support receive generally positive feedback. Users find technical support effective but note delays in resolving issues and challenges in issue replication. Support quality varies, with some users noting quicker resolutions for partners versus direct customers. A few express concerns about problem-solving knowledge. Customers rate their experiences from eight to nine, reflecting overall satisfaction, but long waiting times for direct customers suggest room for improvement.

IBM WebSphere Message Broker's initial setup is generally easy, with users noting ease of installation and configuration, often taking just a day or less. Experienced users find the setup straightforward when documentation is available. However, integration and deployment can be complex, requiring expertise, especially in enterprise environments. Some users highlight the need for involvement from multiple engineering disciplines to ensure smooth installation, although deployment usually involves only a few administrators when managed efficiently.

IBM WebSphere Message Broker is known for being scalable, accommodating various integration points and applications. Users find it easy to scale with proper setup, though scalability is rated between seven to ten out of ten by most. Some face challenges in handling large message volumes, suggesting room for improvement. Organizations with substantial user bases and developers acknowledge its scalability, while others note its capabilities in new versions.

IBM WebSphere Message Broker is viewed as stable, reliable, and mature, performing well for many transactions. Users note occasional bugs and glitches, suggesting proper configuration is crucial, especially during version migrations. Some report no downtime, while others mention specific set-up challenges. The capacity to handle numerous applications contributes to its stability, often rated nine or ten out of ten. Overall, many appreciate its performance in the banking domain despite minor issues.