IBM WebSphere 'too proprietary'

IBM's WebSphere application server platform is too full of proprietary technologies to allow real interoperability with other systems according to UK messaging technology firm SpiritSoft.

The firm today criticised Big Blue for bundling together old technologies in it's flagship WebSphere suite, which IBM claims to be at the cutting edge of open, web services software.

SpiritSoft particularly singled out the message queuing element of the product - called MQSeries - as based on old, proprietary technology which didn't cut the mustard in modern Java environments.

Nigel Thomas, director of product marketing for SpiritSoft, said: "Although the edges of the suite are standards compliant, there is a big wedge of proprietary software stuck below the surface.

He said this meant users who took the IBM won't be able to swap out at a later date as any complex applications would get stuck in a proprietary cul-de-sac.

He added: "Unfortunately the more you want to get out of your WebSphere platform the more you are digging yourself into a proprietary hole - which is fine for IBM but not so good for users."

SpiritSoft's comments echoed jibes made by IBM's arch rival BEA on the launch of WebSphere 5 earlier this month, which IBM did not attempt to counter.

Again today IBM refused to comment on the news.