We are, of course, using the latest version.
We use the solution for bridging the gap between different legacy systems. Re-usability is another function of the solution. So too, we use it to limit the challenges faced between different systems that are unable to communicate at the same speed and rate, or that need to talk among different systems, to utilize a channel which is bigger and better, to make use of the back-end or in respect of some other point-to-point integration need. As such, our uses for the solution vary depending on the customer. An example would be that which relates to a banking industry, for which there would be a core banking system, the need for card systems, ATM transactions, et cetera. Middleware plays a key role in the usability of these services. The goal is to avoid point-to-point integration between the channels and the back-end systems making use of the solution.
We have come across many customer complaints about the excessive time it takes for IBM to provide customer and technical support.
Our organization has been using IBM Integration Bus in various branches, spanning a host of locations, since before I joined 14 years ago. It has been doing so for the past 15 to 20 years.
I consider the solution to be one of the most stable in the market, in comparison with others such as Oracle and this assessment I maintain on an ongoing basis. I have received much feedback from customers about the solution's stability.
The solution is scalable, but we have yet to receive the full review and feedback. This is because we have been informed that the latest systems have only recently been produced. So, I cannot give you complete feedback about the scalability of the solution at the moment. The latest deployment is on a container platform.
We have received many complaints from customers that the customer and technical support should be faster.
I believe the initial setup was easy, but this is a question best taken up with the technical team.
I use the traditional licensing model, which I believe to not be on a monthly basis, as the solution is not cloud-based.
I don't mind the pricing.
90 percent of days the solution is on the client enrollment. We are hoping to encounter good business cases, involving integration planning, as the trend is for people to gradually transition to the cloud, the government initiative being that involving Azure.
As we are a service provider, I cannot give you exact figures about the number of users in our organization who are making use of the solution. As mentioned, this depends on the customer, with each one involving its own user type.
I would, of course, recommend this solution to others.
I rate IBM Integration Bus as an eight out of ten.