Layer7 API Management and IBM API Connect are competitors in the API management category. Based on the available data, IBM API Connect appears to have an edge due to its strong integration with legacy systems and robust features suitable for large enterprises.
Features: Layer7 API Management supports REST-to-SOAP conversions and security token translation, essential for mobile-first strategies. It offers built-in identity management, content-based routing, and comprehensive security features. IBM API Connect integrates well with IBM DataPower for enhanced security and monitoring, supports strong enterprise integration, and facilitates efficient legacy system integration.
Room for Improvement: Layer7's documentation and developer portal need improvements, and additional purchases might be required for complete functionality. IBM API Connect faces challenges with pricing complexity and requires better documentation and feature enhancements like API rate-limiting and non-Java service support.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Layer7 is flexible across multiple deployment environments, including on-premises and hybrid cloud. However, inconsistencies in technical support were noted post-Broadcom acquisition. IBM API Connect supports cloud-native solutions with broad deployment options, offering robust technical support, though pricing issues were mentioned.
Pricing and ROI: Layer7 is seen as cost-effective with varied licensing models, although some consider it pricey. It delivers good value with proper negotiations. IBM API Connect is generally perceived as expensive, posing a barrier for smaller businesses, yet justifies its cost with enterprise-level features and the potential for high ROI depending on use case and scale.
Technical support is excellent, and I would rate them as ten.
All nodes communicate with one primary database, affecting connections and causing crashes under high load.
Without rebooting for ninety to one hundred eighty days, cache builds up in Linux boxes, causing memory utilization issues.
Broadcom's push for upgrades from version nine to ten, ten to 10.3, and onwards to twelve needs improvement in migration processes, especially with service dependencies.
Seeing other products makes the tool's pricing seem high.
The flexibility to develop APIs for various platforms, from front-end applications to ATM machines, is valuable.
IBM API Connect facilitates API management and integration in the financial sector. Companies use it to expose, secure, and manage APIs for banking, insurance, and fintech, deploying it on-premises, in the cloud, or as a hybrid solution.
IBM API Connect focuses on creating and monetizing APIs while enabling seamless transactions and integration with third-party services. It is vital for compliance with regulations and enhances external communication among institutions. With deployment options suitable for different environments, it supports centralized gateway management, robust security features, and comprehensive API lifecycle management. Users benefit from powerful analytics, user-friendly interfaces, and high performance with capabilities in message transformation and efficient monitoring.
What are the most important features?IBM API Connect is extensively implemented in the financial sector, enabling banking, insurance, and fintech services to manage APIs efficiently. Companies use it to ensure secure transactions, integration with third-party services, and compliance with regulatory standards. Its deployment flexibility accommodates different infrastructure needs, making it suitable for a wide range of financial applications.
Layer7 API Management is a comprehensive solution that enables organizations to securely expose, manage, and monetize their APIs.
It provides features such as API gateway, developer portal, analytics, and security to ensure seamless integration and control over API traffic.
With Layer7 API Management, businesses can streamline their API operations and drive innovation.
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