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reviewer2255328 - PeerSpot reviewer
Database Administrator at a financial services firm with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 20
Reliable software framework with high scalability and integration capabilities
Pros and Cons
  • "IBM WebSphere Application Server is the best in terms of scalability and performance, as well as the support for managing distributed transactions."
  • "The main issue we faced was its limited compatibility with non-Java technologies, which can result in difficulty detecting potential bugs and requiring additional integration efforts."

What is our primary use case?

We are mainly using it for managing the core banking applications. 

What is most valuable?

I am highly satisfied with the robust security features integrated into this solution. Its fine-grained access control, authentication, and authorization mechanisms ensure a smooth performance.

What needs improvement?

The main issue we faced was its limited compatibility with non-Java technologies, which can result in difficulty detecting potential bugs and requiring additional integration efforts. Third-party support can be challenging as well, as the IBM WebSphere Application Server is known for its limited community and lack of an open-resource library.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using IBM WebSphere Application Server for the last six years.

Buyer's Guide
IBM WebSphere Application Server
February 2025
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable and reliable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is high due to its built-in load-balancing features. It allows applications to scale to handle high traffic and provide better performance. 

How are customer service and support?

We have been fairly satisfied with their support services. When we requested their assistance, their team professionally solved it. The only objection would be regarding a minor delay in their response. I would rate it eight out of ten. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What about the implementation team?

The deployment is fast and efficient. It takes only one person to complete the whole process. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

IBM WebSphere Application Server is the best in terms of scalability and performance, as well as the support for managing distributed transactions. There are other solutions on the market, such as WebLogic, that offer great experience but it usually depends on the requirements of the companies.

What other advice do I have?

We are pleased with the effectiveness of the solution. I would rate it eight out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1343838 - PeerSpot reviewer
Service Relationship Manager at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Has a lot of native connectors with legacy sistems and so for complex systems, it simplify a lot integration tasks.
Pros and Cons
  • "We needed this type of integration and WebShepere is the best tool for it."
  • "I think that this is a good product but I think that the cloud environment could be improved. I think that the future is in the utilization of the product in a product as a service way which is something that is lacking at this moment."

What is our primary use case?

We have used it for the implementation of a web interface on very old mainframe system.

How has it helped my organization?

We've avoided the remake of mainframe application logics.

What is most valuable?

WebSphere connects with old legacy systems, like CICS and TX Series that typically run on the mainframe environment and that must be integrated with open systems.

What needs improvement?

Cloud service offering should be improved because the future is in the utilization of the PaaS provided by principal cloud providers; I mean that it would be very useful to have the possibility to use WebSphere as a service like many other tools has already done.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with this system for ten years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I think the stability of the product is very good. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The main problem is the licensing cost of the product. The product can scale but the budget cannot. We pay for core utilization and so we have to consider and manage peaks in resources utilization. 

How are customer service and technical support?

IBM is our mail provider for DC facilities, system integration and AMS.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

No

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was very complex due to the complexity of the already existing business logics.

What about the implementation team?

We implemented the solution with IBM services.

What was our ROI?

The system is very old so it is not so easy to calculate. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The product is very expensive because PVU has to be calculated on maximun virtual cores and there is no difference between production and non-production environments.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

No

What other advice do I have?

If you need a small system that needs to be exposed on the web for simple transations, or if you are considering a cloud environment you should consider a different solution. 

I would rate it an eight out of ten because for complex system development, it is the best solution at this moment. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
IBM WebSphere Application Server
February 2025
Learn what your peers think about IBM WebSphere Application Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1215750 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sen. Fab Manager at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Good data consistency and decent scalability but needs to be more customizable
Pros and Cons
  • "The scalability of the product is quite good."
  • "The availability of the solution needs improvement."

What is most valuable?

The solution's data consistency is great. It's very reliable. This is important for a transitional scenario. It is critical for us, so data consistency is the most important feature that we count on.

The user interface is reliable.

The scalability of the product is quite good.

What needs improvement?

The availability of the solution needs improvement.

The product should be more enhanced and responsive. We need to have the capabilities to customize it a bit more.

Their pricing is always too high.

The user interface isn't too impressive.

The stability of the solution could be much better.

The solution's technical support could be improved. They can be too technical and too detailed.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using the solution for ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the solution is okay. I'd rate it overall seven out of ten. It's mostly reliable, however, I believe it could use some major improvements.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the solution is pretty good. I'd rate it seven out of ten. It's possible to scale a bit if you need to.

How are customer service and technical support?

I've dealt with technical support in the past. It's not the best. It could be improved.

How was the initial setup?

The initials setup is not straightforward. It's quite complicated. An organization needs some pretty good experience. They need a high skill level.

For us, deployment took half a year.

What other advice do I have?

We're just users. We don't have a business relationship with IBM.

I'd rate the solution seven out of ten. I'd rate it higher if they offered more customization capabilities and was more responsive.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Senior Business Development Manager at SL Information System Sdn Bhd
Reseller
A scalable and stable solution, but it's declining in popularity
Pros and Cons
  • "One of the most valuable features might be the stability of the IBM WebSphere Application Server."
  • "The current trend is to move to Liberty because of the portability of its cloud and its Kubernetes, which containerize the application."

What is our primary use case?

We sell IBM WebSphere licenses and provide core installation of WebSphere for our customers.

What is most valuable?

One of the most valuable features might be the stability of the IBM WebSphere Application Server.

What needs improvement?

Most of my clients are quite happy with the WebSphere application, but I know that some are changing direction and the current trend is to move to Liberty because of the portability of its cloud and its Kubernetes, which containerize the application. Since most of the application vendors our customers use also offer the application on Liberty, I think they're probably going to stop enhancing the WebSphere Application Server and instead concentrate on Liberty.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with this solution for the past ten to fifteen years. My company has been an IBM business partner since 1986.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

IBM WebSphere is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I believe if customers want scalability, they can upgrade their WAS standard edition to the next deployment level, so it is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

I would rate the technical support as a eight out of ten because the support could be a bit more responsive. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What other advice do I have?

I would definitely recommend this solution to users, but there is always room for improvement. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1319055 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sap Financial Accounting Senior Consultant at a transportation company with 10,001+ employees
MSP
Simple to set up with great data subscription feature
Pros and Cons
  • "WebSphere Application Server's best features include the data subscription and connection viewer."
  • "WebSphere Application Server doesn't have an automated deployment option, forcing us to use third-party tools like Jenkins UCD and Palo Automated Deployment."

What is most valuable?

WebSphere Application Server's best features include the data subscription and connection viewer. 

What needs improvement?

WebSphere Application Server doesn't have an automated deployment option, forcing us to use third-party tools like Jenkins UCD and Palo Automated Deployment. In the next release, IBM should invest in automated deployment instead of complex building integration with different tools.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using WebSphere Application Server for almost twelve years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

WebSphere Application Server is very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

WebSphere Application Server is scalable.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is simple and takes under five minutes.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

WebSphere Application Server is expensive, so it may not be a good option for small companies.

What other advice do I have?

I would give WebSphere Application Server a rating of nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer932178 - PeerSpot reviewer
Maximo - Technical Consultant/Architect/Analyst at a government with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
Interchangeable, good performance, and is reliable
Pros and Cons
  • "The performance is good."
  • "When compared with WebLogic, Weblogic is lighter and consumes less memory."

What is our primary use case?

I am always working. I am working with WebLogic and WebSphere. Some things are running on WebLogic and others on WebSphere. I use both.

It is deployed on-premise, and I am able to do everything they are doing on the cloud.

What is most valuable?

I would not compare WebSphere and WebLogic because both servers are really good.

However, once you have set up both of them, they work perfectly.

There are always bugs, such as the recent bug with log4j, but they're both good web servers. I can make use of either one, it makes no difference. It's just a different setting, but I'd say the quality is the same.

I am satisfied with this solution, as well as WebLogic. Both are good.

The performance is good.

What needs improvement?

I don't think about what needs improvement, I work with what I have.

There is always room for improvement. But it's getting better every time, with every new release, and every new patch, it's getting better. They are continuously improving.

When compared with WebLogic, Weblogic is lighter and consumes less memory.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

IBM WebSphere Application Server is a stable solution.

How are customer service and support?

I usually solve my problems on my own. I Google it. I do the research, find out what other people are having problems with, otherwise look to Oracle for solutions to some of them. I was always able to Google it and find the solution.

I have never had to contact Oracle or IBM for support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have worked with WebLogic, Apache Server, and SAP NetWeaver in the past. I've had a lot of experience.

How was the initial setup?

I set up everything. you just need the hardware, and I do everything else. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

When you purchase Maximo, you get WebSphere for free. Why would you pay more for WebLogic?

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend using whichever is cheaper. Both are interchangeable, and I don't see a difference in their performance.

I would rate IBM WebSphere Application Server a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Nicolae - PeerSpot reviewer
System and Solutions Architect at a computer software company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Easy to install and the GUI is intuitive and easy-to-use
Pros and Cons
  • "This solution is easy to use with a GUI that is intuitive and very helpful."
  • "Some things are very difficult to do, so the interface and usage could be more intuitive for those."

What is our primary use case?

This solution is normally used on the front-end of applications that we have in DB2 for IBM i. Our customers are in a variety of industries including insurance, financial, and retail. They use the WebSphere Application Server as part of their portal that talks with the database.

We have installed this application under several different operating systems including Red Hat Linux, IBM i  and IBM AIX.

What is most valuable?

This solution is easy to use with a GUI that is intuitive and very helpful.

You have the ability to do a lot of things with the commands.

What needs improvement?

Some things are very difficult to do, so the interface and usage could be more intuitive for those.

The main complaint that my customers have about this product is the price.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with WebSphere Application Server for between five and ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

My customers have told me that this solution is very stable and it is working well.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have dealt with IBM's technical support on a variety of issues and normally it is pretty good. The response time is good and depending on the area, some support is more diligent and more effective than others. In general, I would say that they are above average, but the support could be improved in certain areas.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is quite easy. You don't necessarily need to be a technical person. The configuration can be a little more demanding, but the initial installation is not difficult.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of this product is higher than that of competitors.

What other advice do I have?

IBM WebSphere Application Server works well and fulfills all of the requirements that are demanded of it, so it is a product that I recommend.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer2326761 - PeerSpot reviewer
Web Administrator at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
Easy to setup, stable solution, and offers VPN integration
Pros and Cons
  • "The VPN service is quite useful."
  • "Sometimes, I feel WebSphere runs a bit slow. It might be loading unnecessary libraries, impacting its performance compared to other application servers."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for a web application related to insurance.

What is most valuable?

The VPN service is quite useful. Our main application runs on a close integration with Jira platforms. To access it remotely, we need WebSphere and a VPN server.  

What needs improvement?

Sometimes, I feel WebSphere runs a bit slow. It might be loading unnecessary libraries, impacting its performance compared to other application servers.

So, better performance is my main request.

For how long have I used the solution?

My company has been using this solution for five to six years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Once it's up and running, it's quite stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable product. However, the IT team responsible for installation should have some knowledge of Unix operating systems since the platform runs on a Unix and Linux system.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is relatively easy. The complete deployment time depends on the application. Some might take as little as eight hours, while others require more time.

What about the implementation team?

We usually have a team of two or three people handling it. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing is a little expensive. I would rate the pricing a four out of ten. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free IBM WebSphere Application Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: February 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free IBM WebSphere Application Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.