Rigid deployment. Missing features. Don’t go backwards with webMethods.
webMethods says they're the solution for all use cases, but customers who feel stuck doing everything IBM’s way are choosing the deployment flexibility and expanded features of Axway MFT.
The world runs on Axway MFT
500,000 patients treated
Each day, Axway technology helps medical and pharmaceutical organizations treat over 500,000 patients.
80% of global flight bookings
Axway MFT supports 80% of airline ticket purchases and around 47,000 flights every day.
$700 trillion in payments
Axway helps more than 35 tier-1 banks and financial organizations transfer over $700 trillion in payments annually.
How Axway MFT compares with webMethods MFT
webMethods MFT is a cloud solution which can be extended to on-premises environments via webMethods ActiveTransfer. Axway MFT is a choose-your-deployment model that is much more flexible.
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webMethods ActiveTransfer | webMethods MFT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AV via ICAP |
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Requires customization | Requires customization |
| Zero-downtime updates |
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| Support for AS2 |
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Requires add-on | Requires add-on |
| Automation logic |
|
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Requires customization |
| Externalized key vault |
|
|
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| Available on-premises |
|
|
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| Simple licensing |
|
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webMethods ActiveTransfer
webMethods MFT
AV via ICAP
Requires customization
Requires customization
Zero-downtime updates
Support for AS2
Requires add-on
Requires add-on
Automation logic
Requires customization
Externalized key vault
Available on-premises
Simple licensing
"Axway managed file transfer has enabled us to deploy consolidated and secure file transfer services across the state and downstream. It is phenomenal how many problems we are solving [by] using this product."
Kevin Paddock
Why webMethods customers are better off with Axway
IBM wants to move you from the cumbersome Sterling platform to an equally complex and restrictive webMethods stack. Axway is focused on four outcomes that matter most to your business:
Security is our number one priority
We work with some of the world’s largest organizations, with high expectations of our solutions. We support ICAP for AV and DLP file scanning, and we rigorously test our own software for vulnerabilities.
We offer flexible deployment options
Nobody likes being told how they must deploy their MFT solution. At Axway we know every customer and every use case is different, so we're ready with on-premises, cloud, managed cloud, and hybrid options.
We keep critical operations running
We understand that any business interruption is disruption. That's why we support zero-downtime updates. Our customers benefit from upgrades without disruption and without dropping active sessions.
We are fully featured and interoperable
We natively support everything from scheduling to event-driven transfers, file transformation, encryption, and PeSIT. No need for additional modules, add-ons, solutions, or worse… scripting.
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Axway Managed File Transfer
Axway Managed File Transfer (MFT) allows you to control how your organization exchanges files while ensuring your data is protected and complies with regulations. Axway has been defining MFT technology for over 20 years.
Have it your way with Axway MFT
From agent-to-agent transfers to zero-downtime updates, the difference between Axway and webMethods comes down to a “Yes, absolutely” or an “Okay, maybe with some customization.”
Reliable and secure connectivity with third parties
Using PeSIT, AS2, SFTP, or the Web Client, Axway SecureTransport securely connects business networks to the outside world – whether on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid.
- Natively supports FTPS, SFTP, PeSIT, AS2, and web client
- Minimizes interruption with zero-downtime updates
- Supports containerization, cloud, and various operating systems
- Externalize your security keys for compliance and control
Decentralized and redundant agent-to-agent transfers
Axway Transfer CFT is a rapid, agent-based file transfer solution that securely and reliably moves files between servers, applications, legacy environments, cloud, and storage repositories.
- Eliminates single-point-of-failure with decentralized, autonomous agents
- Supports 16 operating systems and containerization
- Automatically retries transfers if they fail
- One-to-one, broadcast, send via a CFT, or send events to Apache Kafka
Monitor, observe, and respond to all MFT instances
Axway Workbench provides system health monitoring, end-to-end file tracking, dashboarding, and operational management across all SecureTransport and Transfer CFT instances.
- Monitors services/daemons, system resources, and queues
- Eliminates multiple logs on multiple instances
- Notifies based on SLA breaches, duplicate files, and incorrect file counts
- Provides unlimited reporting and eliminates fragmented support of two parties
Questions IBM doesn’t want you asking about webMethods
The acquisition of webMethods by IBM raises some questions that customers want answers to. IBM isn’t talking, so we will.
Is webMethods going to replace IBM Sterling?
There has been no official announcement that this is the case; however it is noticeable how much marketing effort has been going into promoting webMethods with Sterling taking a back seat.
webMethods is advertised as offering API, EDI, MFT, and other capabilities that naturally put much of the Sterling product line in the firing line.
What does the architecture of webMethods MFT look like?
webMethods is a collection of solutions that offer API, EDI, and MFT functionality under the umbrella of webMethods Hybrid Integration.
webMethods.io MFT is the MFT element of this offering, which can exist as part of the Hybrid Integration suite or standalone. webMethods.io MFT is cloud-only. So, to extend its reach into the on-premises network, it employs another webMethods solution called ActiveTransfer.
How do webMethods.io MFT and webMethods ActiveTransfer differ?
On the face of it, it may seem that the only way they differ is in which environment they serve. However, there are some other critical differences in functionality.
- webMethods.io MFT relies heavily on webMethods.io Integration for advanced workflows and logic.
- webMethods.io MFT does have some reach into on-premises environments via Filebot — an agent-type solution that can connect to remote network locations for file collection and delivery. ActiveTransfer servers make connections using standard protocols without extensibility.
- webMethods.io MFT is limited in protocol support when compared with ActiveTransfer.
Can Filebot agents transfer files agent-to-agent?
No. webMethods uses a hub-spoke design, meaning files must traverse the webMethods.io MFT cloud instance before being sent onto its destination in Filebot. At Axway we question the benefits of such an approach. Files are having to travel further distances than required over more hops. This not only increases the time for a file to be transferred, but also introduces additional points of potential interruption.
What is the biggest complaint by former and current webMethods customers?
According to review sites such as G2 and conversations with former and current customers, common complaints include the complexity of using the software and the difficulty in understanding the pricing mode. Customers complain that TCO is much higher than initially thought due to add-ons and consumption elements, which are uncovered later in the lifecycle of the solution.
Is there a strong scripting and customization requirement with webMethods?
It would seem that unless you want basic file collection and delivery, there is a need to invoke other webMethods tools — particularly with webMethods.io MFT. Given such scenarios, one has to wonder: Who writes the script? At what cost? And how is it maintained and supported over time with updates and dependency changes?
Let's Talk
Migrations can be difficult, especially when your business depends on the exchange of data to keep running. Axway has the expertise and proven processes to help you easily migrate to higher levels of MFT reliability and performance.
Let's Talk
Migrations can be difficult, especially when your business depends on the exchange of data to keep running. Axway has the expertise and proven processes to help you easily migrate to higher levels of MFT reliability and performance.