Biztalk Server vs ArcESB

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Our analysts compared Biztalk Server vs ArcESB based on data from our 400+ point analysis of EDI Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Biztalk Server Software Tool

Product Basics

BizTalk Server is an inter-organizational middleware by Microsoft that integrates applications across the enterprise and manages business processes through automation. It exchanges business documents between different implementations, within or across the organization.

By making use of adapters to tailor communication, it acts as a message breaker and provides business activity monitoring. Implementation of maps is done with the XSLT standard, while orchestration is done with the WS-BPEL-compatible process language. Developers have the freedom to create and transform messages from one type to another.
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ArcESB is a subsidiary of CData Software, which provides data accessibility and connectivity to consumers. It allows users to implement integrations, services and data without having to deal with multiple layers of complexity.

The framework acts as a middleware that drives information and simplifies the process of producing, consuming and integrating data. It automates intricate processes and synchronization by connecting with various CRM, ERP, marketing and accounting packages.
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$10,000 Annually
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$5,000 Annually
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Receive Comprehensive Support: Get support for a wide range of protocols and data formats and ensure seamless communication across different operating systems. 
  • Handle Bad Scripts: Easily manage bad scripts with a retry mechanism or service support windows. 
  • Eliminate Third-party Implementation: Easily integrate with a wide range of programs without having to seek the help of a third-party administrator. 
  • Integrate Diverse Programs: Connect people and information together and get the freedom to conduct B2B communication and EDI transactions. 
  • Enhance Security: Utilize seamless hybrid integration and a new level of security by being closely aligned to Azure. 
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  • Support All Major Standards: Get support for every major EDI document, protocol and standard to meet industry-specific requirements. 
  • Enhance Security: Achieve maximum security with user authentication, certificate management, secure file transfer, encryption and safe access. 
  • Prevent Regression: Changes in one part of the system don’t affect the entire infrastructure. Different components of the integrations run as different instances in containers due to a distributed architecture based on microservices. 
  • Reuse Processes: Create a streamlined and repeatable process by using the same integration flows again and converting them into customizable templates for future workflows. 
  • Scale Easily: Eliminate the need for multiple EDI tools and scale easily while mitigating cost. It gives customers an easy-to-use, visual UI and pre-packaged integration that’s low code, fully scalable and extensible. 
  • Onboard Quickly: Convert partners into resources with a first-in-first-out approach. Engage advanced and skilled trading partners quickly once they integrate with top-tier partners. 
  • Improve Interoperability: Ensure secure information transfer from one AS2 solution to another with Drummond Certification. This also makes sure that reliable communication takes place for files of different formats. 
  • Increase Productivity: Reduce development time, minimize architectural complexities and eliminate any ongoing maintenance burden by standardizing and streamlining how the system interacts with data. 
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  • API Management:  Manage different artifacts in the server environment using REST API. Use Azure API management to publish orchestration endpoints. Unlock the potential of data and service by gaining the freedom to publish API to external partners and internal developers. 
  • Analytics: Perform deep data storage using Azure Application Insight and Event Hub and use Power BI for reporting and viewing data. 
  • Office 365 Adapters: Automate workflow and integrate with adapters to send or receive Office 365 emails, transmit Microsoft Office calendars and create contacts. 
  • Hubs Adapter: Send and receive messages with Azure Events Hub, which allows the server to function both as an event publisher and subscriber with the cloud-based, event-driven application. 
  • Application Life Cycle Management: Use Visual Studio Team Services to define multiple server deployments and maintain those systems throughout the life cycle. Utilize Azure DevOps to automatically deploy applications to different environments. 
  • Routing: Route encrypted as well as unencrypted messages to the receiver with no capping on the decryption limit. Ensure safety and security by only permitting messages from those that have a receive-authorization certificate. 
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  • Intelligent Automation: Automate every aspect of connected development with a proprietary automation engine that works on a large scale. Economies of scale and quality control give engineers the freedom to focus on the tasks that really matter. 
  • EDI Mapping and Translation: Pre-populate personal client information by parsing out partner data. Convert EDI documents to human-readable format in one click. Make use of understandable and editable JSON schema to suit business requirements. Automate acknowledgments and send receipts back to the partner once the file is received. 
  • Automated Back-end Integration: Connect to various accounting and business applications, databases and payment systems with a no-code, visual web-based UI.  
    • Triggers: Encourage on-demand data transfer in response to an event, webhook triggers or schedule. 
    • Data Transfer: Transfer data from one model to another using data formatters, expression editors, drag-and-drop data mapping and scripting tools. 
    • Data Management: See how data moves across the organization with logging to attain complete transparency. 
  • Managed File Transfer: Securely move data across silos regardless of the document type, protocol or file size.  
    • Partner Support: Get support for millions of partners and unlimited file types with flexible and scalable technology.  
    • Workflow Automation: Automate and schedule workflows with conditional logic, drag-and-drop integration, webhooks and API management. 
    • Real-time Visibility: Gain real-time visibility into file transfers across organizations with full logging and auditing capabilities. 
    • Compliance Management: Maintain compliance with HIPAA, PCI and other international regulations. 
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Product Ranking

#5

among all
EDI Software

#16

among all
EDI Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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EDI Transaction and Community Management
EDI Translation and Mapping
EDI Protocols and Standards
Document Management
Integrations and Extensibility
EDI Protocols and Standards
EDI Transaction and Community Management
Integrations and Extensibility
EDI Translation and Mapping
Platform Capabilities and Security

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

82%
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9%
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8%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

82%
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18%
100%
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83%
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17%
83%
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17%

User Sentiment Summary

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Great User Sentiment 24 reviews
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89%
of users recommend this product

ArcESB has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 89% when considering 24 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

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4.4 (15)
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4.6 (8)
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4.0 (1)

Awards

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SelectHub research analysts have evaluated ArcESB and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for EDI Protocols and Standards.

EDI Protocols and Standards Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Robust EDI Capabilities: Users appreciate BizTalk Server for its strong support for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards, enabling seamless data exchange with trading partners.
Integration Flexibility: The platform is lauded for its ability to integrate with a wide range of systems and technologies, making it a versatile choice for complex IT environments.
Scalability: Businesses value BizTalk's scalability, which allows them to start small and expand their use of the server as their needs grow, without significant re-investment.
Reliable Messaging: The guaranteed delivery feature ensures that messages are never lost, providing peace of mind for critical business transactions.
Comprehensive B2B Support: Users find the built-in support for B2B transactions and protocols to be a major advantage, streamlining operations with partners.
Advanced Monitoring and Tracking: The ability to monitor and track data flows in real-time helps businesses quickly identify and resolve issues, enhancing operational efficiency.
Extensive Adapter Library: BizTalk's wide range of available adapters simplifies the process of connecting to various applications and services, reducing development time.
Strong Community and Support: The active BizTalk community and Microsoft's support services are highly valued for providing assistance and sharing best practices.
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Intuitive Interface: Users appreciate ArcESB for its user-friendly interface, making it easier for those with limited technical expertise to navigate and manage EDI transactions efficiently.
Robust Integration Capabilities: The platform is lauded for its ability to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of systems and applications, facilitating smooth data exchange and workflow automation.
Comprehensive EDI Standards Support: ArcESB supports a broad spectrum of EDI standards, including X12, EDIFACT, and HL7, ensuring compatibility with various trading partners' requirements.
Scalability: Businesses of all sizes find ArcESB scalable, capable of handling increasing volumes of transactions without compromising performance.
Cost-Effectiveness: Many users point out the platform's affordability, especially when considering the comprehensive features and capabilities it offers, making it a cost-effective solution for EDI needs.
Exceptional Customer Support: The responsive and knowledgeable customer support team is frequently mentioned, providing timely assistance and guidance to users, enhancing the overall user experience.
Advanced Security Features: ArcESB is recognized for its strong security measures, including encryption and secure file transfer protocols, ensuring data integrity and compliance with industry standards.
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Complex Setup: Users often find the initial setup and configuration of BizTalk Server to be complex and time-consuming, especially for those with specific EDI needs.
Steep Learning Curve: New users report a steep learning curve, making it challenging to fully leverage BizTalk Server's capabilities without significant training.
Cost: The total cost of ownership, including licensing, hardware, and maintenance, can be prohibitively expensive for small to medium-sized businesses.
Performance Issues: Some users experience performance bottlenecks, particularly in high-volume transaction environments, leading to delays and decreased efficiency.
Limited Agility: The platform's architecture can sometimes hinder rapid changes or updates, making it less agile in response to evolving business needs.
Dependency on Windows: Being tightly integrated with Windows, BizTalk Server limits cross-platform capabilities, which can be a drawback for businesses operating in diverse IT environments.
Outdated UI: Users often cite the user interface as being outdated and less intuitive compared to more modern integration solutions.
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Steep Learning Curve: New users often find ArcESB's interface and functionalities overwhelming, making initial setup and operation challenging without substantial EDI knowledge or technical support.
Documentation Gaps: Some users report that the available documentation is either too sparse or overly technical, lacking practical examples for common EDI scenarios, which complicates troubleshooting and customization efforts.
Cost Considerations: For small businesses or those with limited EDI needs, the cost of ArcESB can be a deterrent, especially when considering the full suite of features that may not be necessary for all users.
Integration Challenges: While ArcESB supports a wide range of EDI standards and protocols, some users encounter difficulties integrating it with less common or proprietary systems, requiring additional customization or third-party assistance.
Performance Issues: In scenarios with high volume transactions, some users have experienced performance bottlenecks, leading to delays in data processing and transmission.
Customer Support: Although generally responsive, there are reports of inconsistent support experiences, with some users facing delays in receiving help for complex issues or during peak times.
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BizTalk Server is a powerful tool for businesses needing a robust and adaptable solution for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and application integration. Users appreciate its ability to handle complex data formats and its scalability, making it suitable for large organizations with diverse integration requirements. Its versatility allows for connecting various systems and applications, streamlining business processes. However, some users find BizTalk Server's complexity and steep learning curve to be drawbacks, especially for those seeking a simpler EDI solution. Additionally, while BizTalk Server offers a range of features, it may not be the most cost-effective option for smaller businesses with less complex integration needs. Compared to other integration platforms like MuleSoft Anypoint Platform or Boomi, BizTalk Server stands out with its deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, making it a natural choice for organizations heavily invested in Microsoft technologies. Its strength lies in handling complex integrations and orchestrations, but it may not be as user-friendly or cloud-native as some competitors. Ultimately, BizTalk Server is best suited for enterprises requiring a comprehensive and scalable solution for EDI and application integration, particularly those already utilizing Microsoft products and services. Its ability to manage intricate data formats and automate business processes makes it a valuable asset for organizations with complex integration challenges.

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Over the past year, ArcESB has emerged as a noteworthy contender in the realm of software solutions for managing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and other integration tasks. Users have lauded its robust set of features, particularly praising its intuitive user interface and the flexibility it offers in connecting disparate systems. A standout strength is its support for a wide array of data formats and protocols, enabling businesses to streamline operations without the need for multiple tools. This comprehensive approach not only simplifies the integration landscape but also significantly reduces the learning curve for new users. However, some users have noted areas where ArcESB could improve, such as enhancing its documentation and providing more examples for complex integration scenarios. Compared to similar products, ArcESB is often celebrated for its cost-effectiveness and the scalability it offers, making it a go-to choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Its ability to deliver enterprise-level capabilities at a fraction of the cost of its competitors is a critical differentiating factor. For instance, users have highlighted how ArcESB's straightforward licensing model and responsive customer support stand in stark contrast to the more cumbersome and expensive support structures of some other platforms. Given its strengths and areas for improvement, ArcESB is most suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a powerful yet budget-friendly EDI and integration solution. Its user-friendly design, coupled with the ability to handle complex data integration tasks, makes it an ideal choice for companies aiming to enhance their operational efficiency without committing to the steep learning curves and high costs associated with other products. The software's adaptability means it can grow with a business, providing a scalable solution that can adjust to changing integration needs over time.

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