BizTalk Server vs IBM Cloud Pak for Automation comparison

Microsoft and IBM are both solutions in the Process Automation category. Microsoft is ranked #14 with an average rating of 7.1, while IBM is ranked #21 with an average rating of 9.0. Microsoft holds a 0.8% mindshare in PA, compared to IBM’s 0.4% mindshare. Additionally, 85% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of IBM users who would recommend it.

BizTalk Server

Read 14 BizTalk Server reviews

495 Views
124 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

IBM Cloud Pak for Automation

Read 2 IBM Cloud Pak for Automation reviews

245 Views
39 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

BizTalk Server

IBM Cloud Pak for Automation

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

BizTalk Server and IBM Cloud Pak for Automation are competing in the enterprise automation space. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation seems to have an advantage due to its advanced features, offering better value for extensive automation needs.

Features: BizTalk Server provides reliable message processing, integration support, and XML data manipulation. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation is known for its comprehensive automation abilities, AI-driven decision automation, and workflow management, with a stronger emphasis on advanced automation capabilities and adaptability.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: BizTalk Server is traditionally deployed on-premise, which can be complex but is supported by comprehensive documentation. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation uses a cloud-native architecture, allowing faster deployment and scalability. IBM has a robust support network, while both offer resources for troubleshooting.

Pricing and ROI: BizTalk Server generally has a lower initial setup cost, making it attractive for cost-conscious businesses. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation may require higher initial investments due to its advanced features but promises higher ROI in dynamic environments.

To learn more, read our detailed BizTalk Server vs. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

BizTalk Server vs. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation

June 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

BizTalk Server

Ranking in Process Automation

14th

Average Rating

7.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Business-to-Business Middleware (8th)

IBM Cloud Pak for Automation

Ranking in Process Automation

21st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Process Automation category, the mindshare of BizTalk Server is 0.8%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Cloud Pak for Automation is 0.4%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Process Automation

Featured Reviews

Vignesh Kumar Sekar

Senior Analyst at Sword Group

Enables message routing and provides a secure way to communicate between two systems

The AS2 communication protocol is one of the most advanced processes. It enables a handshake with the source and target systems using certificates. It is the most secure way of communicating between two systems. It is an advantage. We can do a lot of message routing. If we want to handle large data, we can put the data into different patterns to process it. We can do it through sequential convoy or parallel convoy orchestration. BizTalk comes with SQL Server. We can load temporary data in the database and use the batch process from BizTalk. It is an added advantage. Creating agreements is a manual job, but it's quite easy in BizTalk. Even a fresh college graduate can configure AS2 certificates and partner profiles and communicate with other systems. It is easy.

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SYEDMUJTABA

Vice President - Digital Automation Services at Techvista Systems

Effectively handles parallel instances effectively

I find it quite straightforward, perhaps around 8.5 out of 10 in terms of ease. When we upgraded from the old version of IBM BPM to the new one within IBM Cloud Pak for Automation, we didn't encounter any major issues. There were some minor ones, but they were easy to overcome.The migration process was part of our deployment strategy. We had a plan to migrate two processes per week from on-premises to the cloud. The migration involved taking the instances and migrating them to the new environment. There is an inbuilt feature in IBM Cloud Pak for Automation that facilitates the migration process, although I personally haven't conducted it myself; it's managed by my team. Overall, the setup process was relatively smooth.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"BIzTalk's integration with Visual Studio is the most valuable feature of this product."

"The most valuable feature of BizTalk Server is that it will turn XML into flexible transactions."

"BizTalk Server offers workflow functionality that I find very effective for process automation."

"I rate the tool's stability a nine out of ten."

"The AS2 communication protocol is one of the most advanced processes."

"Essentially, you can do whatever you like with these systems, and you do not have to take care about the scaling because if one server is overloaded, it just forwards the message to the next server, even if it were designated to a specific server. It weeds out the messages according to the load. If you want to scale it, you just add new servers."

"The most valuable feature is its reliability and stability. The first version of BizTalk was released in 2000, and many companies still use it. It was stable until 2013 when we had support."

"We can handle a large number of messages without any issues, ensuring that everything runs smoothly."

More BizTalk Server pros

"I believe two significant features of IBM Cloud Pak for Automation are the focus on SLA management and the capability to handle parallel instances effectively. Parallel instances, for instance, are valuable when dealing with a large number of users, enabling tasks to be performed concurrently for efficient system operation. The SLA aspect is crucial for tracking and ensuring timely completion of tasks. Additionally, the cloud compatibility of IBM BAW allows for seamless migration from on-premises to the cloud. This version also includes a business rule management system for storing and managing business rules effectively."

"What this product allows us to do is to move from on-prem instances where we are running independent instances of FileNet, Datacap, and ODM. It allows us to leverage container-based resiliency and availability modeling so that we have some visibility across the CP4BA ecosystem. We're now migrating all of our data to be in the Cloud Object Storage, and we can now use some of the features of Azure in terms of how we store and retrieve content for our members and our providers."

Cons

"It's an on-premises system, requiring physical servers for deployment. This is different from Azure; you don't need any servers with Azure. If you have a subscription, you can do whatever you want. There are unit restrictions based on the environment (like non-production vs. production) in BizTalk. You need physical servers and databases. In Azure, those are not required – it's all in the cloud."

"BizTalk Server needs improvements, especially because we use it for EDI messaging, and it would be very useful to have enhanced tracking capabilities for message tracking and archiving of messages."

"BizTalk lacks native cloud support. BizTalk doesn't offer in-built support for cloud. We need to use third-party adapters to connect it to cloud services."

"BizTalk is in the past, Microsoft is not going to evolve it any further or add any new features."

"It's a complex product because you have many degrees of freedom to connect different parts together. Whether it's sensible or not, is up to you, but the machine does allow it. But because of the vast degrees of freedom, it's complex."

"Updating things in BizTalk is a headache."

"The product's deployment can be quicker"

"BizTalk Server is an outdated legacy system that does not support messaging."

More BizTalk Server cons

"I believe there is room for improvement in the user interface, particularly in the Process Portal that customers use to view and manage their tasks. The UI of the Process Portal needs enhancement. Additionally, in the next release, I would like to see improved compatibility with Angular, allowing for direct integration with front-end systems. It would be beneficial to have built-in GUI features based on Angular within the system, rather than developing separate applications externally. This, in turn, would provide a more seamless and enhanced front-end experience."

"One of the challenges we're having is finding vendors who have experience in developing on the cloud. We can find developers on the old platform, but it is leading-edge technology. So, we are having some challenges, and IBM is assisting us to find vendor partners. To be able to leverage all the capabilities of the new platform, we have to upgrade our existing ecosystem of FileNet applications. Upgrading to the new platform while trying to modernize is always challenging because it is like you have a moving target."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"BizTalk Server is not freeware. There's a significant licensing cost involved. Be sure you will actually utilize its features fully."

"The cost will depend on the client's requirements."

"Based on the knowledge, it is relatively cheaper than Azure Identity Services and cloud services in general."

"It was not cheap, but it was affordable."

"BizTalk Server is cheap. I would rate its pricing a two out of five."

"The solution is expensive."

"IBM Cloud Pak for Automation is relatively expensive, especially considering it is designed for long-living processes, not for normal automation needs. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the pricing at around 9. There are no additional costs beyond the standard licensing fees, but IBM has multiple pricing models that make it expensive in its own way. Different plans are available, but overall, the experience suggests it is a costly solution."

"Its cost is almost the same or comparable to what we pay with FileNet, but I'm not sure what we pay a year. A good part of CP4BA is the CPU-based licensing model. When we're dealing with 50,000 dentists, for example, if we were to use Salesforce, we would be hit with the licensing of 50,000 dentists, whereas when we build out in CP4BA, it is just based on our CPU usage, not on individual licenses."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Manufacturing Company

13%

Computer Software Company

11%

Healthcare Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about BizTalk Server?

The tool's most valuable feature is its integration with the banks. Its messaging and routing capabilities are good.

See all answers

What needs improvement with BizTalk Server?

BizTalk Server needs improvements, especially because we use it for EDI messaging, and it would be very useful to have enhanced tracking capabilities for message tracking and archiving of messages....

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering BizTalk Server?

BizTalk Server has adapted to the changing needs of business over time with steady development, but there are new requirements, for example, on APIs, application programming interfaces. That functi...

See all answers

What do you like most about IBM Cloud Pak for Automation?

I believe two significant features of IBM Cloud Pak for Automation are the focus on SLA management and the capability to handle parallel instances effectively. Parallel instances, for instance, ar...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Cloud Pak for Automation?

IBM Cloud Pak for Automation is relatively expensive, especially considering it is designed for long-living processes, not for normal automation needs. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the pr...

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Cloud Pak for Automation?

I believe there is room for improvement in the user interface, particularly in the Process Portal that customers use to view and manage their tasks. The UI of the Process Portal needs enhancement. ...

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

BizTalk Server

June 2025

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Buyer's Guide

Process Automation

June 2025

Download IBM Cloud Pak for Automation product report

Overview

Connects systems both inside and across organizations, exchange data and orchestrate business processes across multiple systems.

Microsoft

IBM Cloud Pak for Automation offers design, build, run, and automation services to rapidly scale your programs and fully execute and operationalize an automation strategy.

IBM

Sample Customers

Centrebet, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, QualCare, Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, DTEK, Allscripts, United BioSource, Hogg Robinson

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

BizTalk Server vs. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation

June 2025

Free Report: BizTalk Server vs. IBM Cloud Pak for Automation

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