What is our primary use case?
I'm using the product every day, and I'm working on many different projects. Most use cases are for using webMethods Integration Server as a middleware software or a middleware platform that is connecting to at least two different endpoints. It can be from one side, for example, database, web service, SAP, or any kind of connection, including Salesforce, and the other side can be the same. We are just establishing connections between these systems and doing some transformations and modifications of data in the Integration Server so it can be sent from one side to another.
How has it helped my organization?
Clients are mostly using it in order to connect some of their internal systems or to connect to some external systems and some other partner companies. Its benefit is that it's really useful for monitoring and tracking all the activities. And it's important, due to all the flows, all the data, go through this ESB, Enterprise Service Bus.
What is most valuable?
The most important thing when using it is that there is a really good community from the producers, Software AG, and the Empower platform, where you can find almost every kind of error or problem that you face. You can find a solution right there in the community.
There is also typical support where you can create a ticket if you are not able to find the issue on your own. If it's something new, then they will approach you and help you in resolving it.
The best features are these adapters. Software AG developed many different adapters for the usual databases, et cetera. I was not using Salesforce much. However, it's really handy that you have an adapter for these popular platforms. It's just plug-and-play.
When it comes to the user interface, I'm already really used to it. I cannot say anything against it. For me, it's easy to use.
When there is some issue or bug, they work on the development of that. And then, in the next release, they just fix it. I had a few situations when I faced some issues, and then I had to report them. Within the next three weeks, typically, it just gets fixed.
What needs improvement?
For code version control, you need to use some external software. It would be good to have it just built into the product so that you don't have to use anything external.
The interface could be modernized.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for about five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
If it's set up properly and if you do it in a good way in large-scale organizations, you need to have a maintenance team that is doing the maintenance and support. If it's working properly and updated properly with the latest versions of updates, then there should be no issues with using it. It is reliable. One of the main benefits of Integration Server is that it is reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Our entire company uses the solution. There might be 100 people using it on a daily basis.
Scalability is one of the main purposes of the product - scalability meaning that it can adapt to small customers, clients, and even to bigger systems and clients with a lot of data going through the Integration Server.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is really good. They are replying really quickly. In a day or two, you can get a response for your issue, or probably even quicker if you mark it as urgent.
For me, it's fine. I had some contact with Software AG support. They wrote really helpful. And a few times we even had some meetings with screen-sharing sessions so they could help and see the issue. It was really nice.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I know there are a few really great options on the market; however, I do not have experience with them.
How was the initial setup?
When it comes to deploying the Integration Server, you just need to follow the documentation, which is really good. The documentation created by Software AG for using and working with each of the products is really nice, and I'm satisfied with that. For the first time you use it, you need to install the Integration Server on Windows or Linux machine or whatever, and if you follow the steps via the documentation, it should not create any issues.
The deployment can be done by one person. It might take an hour or two.
If you are installing many Integration Servers in a cluster, then these things take time to configure the clusters and all other setups related to the network. That said, for the basic product, if you want to use it just for your own purposes, if it's just one instance, it does not take much of your time to get it up and running.
There isn't much maintenance needed after the solution is live.
What about the implementation team?
The solution was deployed in-house. It's not rocket science. It's easy, and you can do it just by following the instructions. It's a really user-friendly installation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I'm working in the development part of the company. I'm not aware of the prices.
I would say it's an affordable product. When it comes to big organizations, it's for sure affordable.
What other advice do I have?
We are a Software AG partner.
I'm mostly using the latest version. I was using version 9.9 when I started. Then I was going through all the versions, including 10.1, 10.3, 10.5, and 10.7. Now, 10.11 is the latest one. However, I'm not sure that I started working on that one in any of my projects.
We are a partner company of Software AG, the producer of webMethods.
New users should look for a list of references and companies that are using this product.
For a large-scale organization, this is a must-have product. When it comes to Integration Server and the Enterprise Service Bus as the product which needs to be implemented in an organization, it has many benefits like properly monitoring, tracking, and controlling all the flows in the company and outside the company. It's a great product to have.
I'd rate the solution 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
Thank you for the insightful post.