IBM BPM Reviews

Multiple use cases have been implemented and automated here using the IBM BPM platform. We are basically automating various use cases related to expenditure, HR productivity, and back-end processes where human interactions and paper-based working are performed. We take all those cases and are gradually moving towards a paperless environment.

It's a good automation platform; tasks done by different users manually or through email can be transformed into automated processes. IBM BPM offers a good product that can automate user-centric and process-centric tasks in any organization while providing a lot of flexibility for development of various use cases.

IBM BPM also offers process insight tools that allow us to perform different types of analytics to examine efficiency and turnaround time of processes. We utilize those tools to orchestrate our processes and enhance productivity in our organization, as these are inbuilt tools.

In the technology world, there is always room for improvement. Technologies evolve day by day, especially with the emergence of artificial intelligence and generative AI models. Although IBM BPM is a substantial product, adopting and integrating new technologies quickly is not easy due to the migration and upgrade paths involved. Every time new versions are released, we face business and production challenges that make rapid adoption challenging.

The main concern bothering me today regarding IBM BPM is the integration of AI components.

I have been dealing with IBM BPM for more than four or five years so far.

Such products aim to maintain stability by always trying to operate on the latest stable version, N-1.

The architecture of the solution offers scalability; we can scale both vertically and horizontally. The architecture implemented here is quite scalable, as we manage a large number of users and have designed our architecture accordingly.

Support is sometimes good and sometimes not; it really depends on the nature of the support being requested. Typically, support is good.

On a scale from 1 to 10, support deserves a rating of 7 to 8.

Positive

I have experience with several BPM products as this is my fourth job; in the past, I worked with EazySoft, a German BPM product, and also on SharePoint at times, which provided extensive workflow automation solutions, in collaboration with Nintex.

Installation difficulty largely depends on the infrastructure in place. If the underlying infrastructure aligns with the solution, like IBM WebSphere technology, it's relatively straightforward. Challenges arise when there's a lack of infrastructure expertise; these products are rarely updated, so we often engage third-party vendors on a case-by-case basis for installation support.

The technical differences between IBM and those products depend on the organization's technological ecosystem. For example, an organization using Microsoft tools may find it challenging to adopt IBM's BPM tools. However, organizations already using IBM technologies will find it easier to adopt related products due to their existing tech stack.

I don't have much information about the financials, since our functional personnel look after license purchasing, support agreements, and SLAs. I can only provide feedback on the technical aspects and utilization.

On a scale of 1-10, I rate IBM BPM an 8 out of 10.

I am using IBM BPM for the major purpose of customer process automation.

The integration aspects of IBM BPM are quite good. Coordination across data silos is effective, and IBM BPM can be used for that purpose. I am using a Process Center for collaboration purposes. In the Process Center, you can see all your deployed processes and manage your deployments. From IBM BPM, you can track your processes, automate your workflows, and that is what we use it for.

There are negative aspects, such as IBM BPM being quite heavy and not lightweight, and the licensing cost is higher, which has caused some companies to shift away. IBM BPM is complicated to install. Compared to some other systems, IBM BPM is more complicated.

I have been using IBM BPM for around one or two years.

I give stability eight or nine points.

I rate scalability for the product as nine, perhaps.

I would give nine points to technical support.

Positive

I used Amazon Web Services (AWS) for learning purposes.

IBM BPM is complicated to install.

Our company uses IBM for our implementations.

The integration aspects of IBM BPM are quite good. Coordination across data silos is effective, and IBM BPM can be used for that purpose. I am using a Process Center for collaboration purposes. In the Process Center, you can see all your deployed processes and manage your deployments. From IBM BPM, you can track your processes, automate your workflows, and that is what we use it for. There are negative aspects, such as IBM BPM being quite heavy and not lightweight, and the licensing cost is higher, which has caused some companies to shift away. IBM BPM is complicated to install. Compared to some other systems, IBM BPM is more complicated. I would rate this product an 8 overall.

I used IBM BPM for the largest processes of our company, not Citibank Amex, but another bank I used to work with. IBM BPM was used for mortgage, automobile credit, and major processes, whereas I used smaller solutions for minor processes.

The integration capabilities of IBM BPM are excellent. I did not struggle with integration since our standard was IBM across various services, including enterprise content management. The ease of integration is a strong point.

The major issue is the pricing, which is very high. IBM BPM also lacks smaller solutions, so I must purchase multiple solutions to start with workflows and applications. 

Additionally, it manages concurrent transactions poorly, even though it is a large solution.

I have used IBM BPM for ten years.

I think the solution is stable.

I found IBM BPM to be scalable to a certain level but it struggled with large volumes of concurrent transactions. For example, handling simultaneous processes from thousands of branches in a bank posed issues.

I would rate customer service eight to nine out of ten. We had a contract that provided on-site support, which was very satisfactory.

Positive

The initial setup is easy, but it is better done independently. Allowing IBM to handle the setup tends to complicate the process.

SAP is more expensive, but IBM BPM is very expensive. If a scale of one to ten is used, I would rate IBM BPM at nine in terms of pricing.

I have non-customer related experience with SAP and other BPM solutions like Pega.

I rate IBM BPM seven to eight out of ten overall. I would like to remain anonymous regarding my review.

We use the solution in multiple departments and processes. It helps in automation and invoice processing.

The solution is more customizable than IBM FileNet. 

One suggestion for IBM BPM is to provide better integration between their products, such as DataCap, which we use for scanning. Although the new CP4BA offers offline capabilities, not everyone is on CP4BA, so enhanced integration for those on older versions would be beneficial.

Another major suggestion is to offer a migration path when a product reaches its end of life. For example, there was no migration path when we moved, so we had to redo everything we had developed over ten years completely. 

I have been working with the product for three years. 

I rate IBM BPM's stability an eight out of ten. 

I rate the solution's scalability an eight out of ten. 

We get a good response from the support team. 

Based on my experience with  IBM BPM, the main benefits are automation and better transparency in the workflow cycle. It helps reduce the cycle time, leading to cost savings. The biggest advantages are increased transparency and faster turnaround time.

I rate the solution's pricing a four out of ten. 

Companies of any size can adopt the solution as long as they can manage their costs. I rate the overall solution an eight out of ten.  

My use case involves Kamran.

There are two or three valuable features, like BPM.

I see room for improvement in terms of the overall experience.

I started using the solution less than two years ago. I started working with Oracle in 2025, and I've been using it for only two days now.

There have been some stability issues but they are manageable.

The solution has scalability issues; on a scale, I would rate it at eight out of ten. Comparatively, it is an average-priced tool.

The customer service is outstanding. As partners or resellers, we have all the contact information we need, including emails.

Positive

Previously, I used a solution called IBM BPM. It is pretty straightforward.

I am still using the IBM solution for business process automation. One of the tools I use is Maximo, but I am unsure of the other IBM tool's name.

I believe IBM BPM is a stable solution at 100%, though there are occasional glitches.

I am expecting a good ROI over a long period, even though I started working with Oracle this year.

Once it is installed, maintaining it is not a big issue.

I have been using Oracle Content Management for a few years yet cannot recall the exact duration.

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I would give the solution an overall rating of ten out of ten points.

Our primary use case for the product involves implementing it across various sectors, such as banking and retail. We use it to automate business processes, enhance efficiency, and provide our clients with a comprehensive view of operations.

The platform's most valuable features are its process automation capabilities and its ability to provide a comprehensive view of business operations. These features are crucial for reducing manual tasks, saving time, and improving overall business efficiency.

One area for improvement is the scripting languages used within the solution. They could integrate other languages such as GoMango or Python than  JavaScript. 

I have been using IBM BPM for approximately 11 years.

The product is stable. 

The platform is highly scalable and suitable for large enterprises with complex requirements.

The technical support services have been excellent. They have provided effective solutions and assistance whenever needed.

Positive

Due to extensive features and customization options, the initial setup can be complex. It requires careful planning and implementation to utilize its capabilities fully.

Implementation was carried out with the help of our in-house team.

Due to its extensive features and capabilities, the product pricing is more aligned with medium—to large enterprises. It might seem expensive for smaller businesses, and it may be more practical to start with less costly tools like Bonitasoft BPM before considering an enterprise-level solution.

IBM BPM is highly effective for large businesses and offers substantial benefits regarding process automation and operational efficiency. However, potential users should consider their business size and needs when evaluating its cost.

I rate it an eight. 

We mainly use it for human-centric operational processes (less than 20).

The case management and its integration with process design are the only pros comparable to Komunda.

There is room for improvement in terms of integrations. It is one of the biggest drawbacks.

My organization has been using it since 2015, starting on-premises and migrating to the cloud later.

It is not very stable. However, it's stable now after the latest upgrade about a year ago, but we haven't moved to the cloud-based maintenance version yet.

There are less than 100 end users using this solution. 

We contact customer service and support every three months. It is good.

Positive

I tried Komunda (evaluation version) for a year and found it user-friendly, so I'm curious about its scoring against competitors like IBM BPM.  

In 2016, it was the top product. So, we kind of stuck with it.

Installation was quite difficult, requiring specialized expertise.

It is expensive. It is pricey.

If you're already an IBM shop with the necessary skills and personnel, then I would recommend using it. However, it requires a yearly investment. So, if you're prepared for that, then go for it.

New users will need at least six months to get comfortable with IBM BPM, at least initially. So, there's a learning curve.

Overall, I would rate the solution a seven out of ten. Two main reasons: the skillset required to manage it and its integration complexity.

We use IBM BPM in my company to digitalize some of our internal banking processes in the areas of fintech, logistics, and insurance.

IBM is one of the big companies in the world and is strongly supported by its users. IBM has sufficient architecture to solve complex problems.

IBM BPM's UI is an area with shortcomings where improvements are required.

I have been using IBM BPM for ten years. My company has a partnership with IBM BPM.

With IBM BPM on the cloud, my company has seen some stability issues that came from the product's different aspects, like the installation phase and its architecture. I believe that when an IBM user moves from on-premises to the cloud, IBM starts to continuously release new versions with a lot of issues that need to be fixed concerning the installation process, which includes Red Hat OpenShift.

Earlier, when we were using the on-premises version of the solution in my company, it was really hard to use the scalability option. Post my company's decision to deploy the solution on the cloud with the help of IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation (CP4BA), the ability to use the scalability option has become fast and easy for us.

My company has applied IBM BPM technology in some of the big firms in Vietnam, so there are a lot of end users, which may go up to 15,000.

When my company faced some issues with the solution, we usually opened a ticket with IBM's support team. From the IBM side, depending on the criticality of an issue, we receive help fast, or it may take a long time. My company has connections with the local partner of IBM in Vietnam, who also provides us with support.

I rate the technical support a ten out of ten.

Positive

As my organization can be described as an IT company, we deal with products from other vendors, like Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. For a business process management solution, my company chose IBM based on our strategy. My company chose Oracle for databases, and for AI, we preferred Microsoft, along with Amazon. My clients also prefer to deal with big companies like IBM.

The product's installation was easy.

When my company gets involved with the implementation phase of IBM BPM, we need to install it in three environments, which are the development environment, test environment, and production environment. In order to install IBM BPM successfully in three environments, my company needs a week.

In the past, my company had IBM BPM deployed on an on-premises model. Recently, my company used IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation (CP4BA) and deployed IBM BPM on the cloud.

IBM BPM cannot be considered a cheaply priced product. IBM BPM is a really expensive product compared to other companies. One needs to opt for the perpetual licensing model offered by IBM.

The maintenance of the solution is an easy process. Four or five people are required for the maintenance of the solution. The designation of the people involved in the maintenance of the product depends on the type of project my company undertakes. For some of the projects undertaken by our company, the team for the solution maintenance includes an architecture, technical leader, business analyst, and developer.

IBM's on-premises version is good since it provides enough resources to build BPM solutions. My company faced many challenges after IBM decided to move its products to the cloud.

I rate the overall product a seven out of ten.

We have some developers and analytics providing the solution for customers. We use the solution for automation, credit processes, onboarding, and some HR processes. Our clients are international enterprise-sized banks.

The solution is deployed on-premises, but it's been on the cloud since 22nd February. It is rarely mixed. At most, there could be a cluster on the cloud and a data center.

The solution can be integrated with blockchain.

IBM BPM's most valuable features are its speed in implementing and providing any changes, its reusable processes and features, and its flexibility. The solution has a good interface that is upfront on the development part. IBM BPM has a lot of features that help developers with backend systems.

The initial setup can be tricky because IBM BPM is not based on a popular stack, and it's difficult to hire a developer for this product. It takes about three months to involve a new member of the team.

We've implemented IBM BPM for customers since 2011 or 2012. I have personally worked with IBM solutions for over 20 years.

I rate the solution's stability a nine or ten out of ten. It is very stable. But there are some exceptions, such as if you talk about using only one version. When migrating from one version to another new version, you can make some mistakes and face some difficulties, such as node capability and needing to rewrite code. When you use only one version without any migration between versions, it's very stable.

I rate the scalability a five out of ten because it is not quick to scale. My clients are enterprise-sized international businesses.

I rate the technical support a six or a seven out of ten. If you face a problem with the code, you may have to wait very long for a solution. Very often, you will be told to wait for another version.

Neutral

We currently use Camunda BPM. It is based on Java, a very popular stack for developers, and it is then easier to hire developers for the project. It's easier than for IBM products, where we must spend some time, up to three months, to involve a new member of the team.

I rate the initial setup a six to eight out of ten. It is not very easy to set up. If you have business analytics, there'll be some notifications, and if your new developer knows some technology stacks, it is not difficult.

The initial setup is not difficult, but it's not a stack commonly used by developers, which is a big minus because it is difficult to hire developers for this product.

I rate IBM BPM an eight out of ten.

The most valuable feature of the solution is IBM Cloud Pak for Business Automation and how it's integrated with case management and the RPA and all these things with flexible deployment.

UI is an area with a shortcoming that needs improvement.

I have been using IBM BPM for six and a half to seven years. We're currently working on a migration project from IBM BPM Version 8.5.7 to IBM BPM Version 21.0.3. My current company is a platinum partner for IBM.

Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

It's a very scalable solution. Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

In my current environment, the solution has more than 500 users.

I rate the technical support a seven or eight out of ten. Sometimes IBM support takes a long time to respond or responds wrongly on some issues, and there is some fixed practice at their end because of which they take some time to come. Hence, I lean more toward seven.

Neutral

I rate the setup a seven on a scale of one to ten, where one is difficult, and ten is easy. If you are using the UI to do the installation or setup, the rating would be nine. But if you're using shell commands on AIX or Linux, I think it should be almost two or three since I did the shell commands for the services. It also included some server performance tuning and stuff, like, database connections for BPM databases and all such things. It's not easy.

Since I am working in the banking industry, the tool is deployed on-premises.

The deployment takes around two days since there is a need to prepare a development environment.

One person can do deployment with help from a database person. Some database scripts should be deployed on Oracle or Db2.

On a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive, I rate the pricing a ten. It is an expensive product compared to other tools.

I evaluated options like Appian, OpenText AppWorks, and Pega. However, I prefer IBM BPM over other solutions owing to its level of integration and the already existing adapters, and how it is easy to create your files to be connected with IBM BPM.

I rate the overall solution an eight out of ten.