October 27, 2004

Editors introduction: TMC in September released a study comparing WebSphere J2EE vs .NET by productivity, manageability, reliability, and performance. Recently a draft response to the study, attributed to IBM, was 'leaked' to the media. The response concluded that the study was flawed and inaccurate. Microsoft has published exclusively here on TSS.NET their official rebuttal to IBM's response concluding that it was a "very fair study".

As with previous benchmarks Microsoft has sponsored between .NET and J2EE, including previous studies conducted by The Middleware Company (TMC), all of the code and test methodology for the study, as well as tuning parameters and detailed notes have been published online, for full disclosure. This allows vendors and customers to review the artifacts and even replicate the tests on their own to verify the results. This policy has produced commentary on results that otherwise would not be possible.

This is in stark contrast to benchmarks quoted by IBM that purport to compare .NET to WebSphere. In these cases, results are quoted, but no code is provided, no details are provided, and there is no chance by third parties to verify or replicate the results. Ultimately, Microsoft encourages customers to download the report and code, read the report, and conduct their own testing and technical comparison to make the most informed decision. At the same time, customers should understand that the current .NET vs. WebSphere study published by TMC is accurate. The notes below constitute our response to IBM's effort the paint the results as inaccurate. The full study is important to read, since only after reading the full study can customers appreciate the attention to detail, and the comprehensive and very balanced nature of the study.

Click here to read the rest of Microsoft's comments (provided inline to the response attributed to IBM).

Related links:

Response to .NET vs. Websphere attributed to IBM
The Middleware Company Research Paper "Comparing Microsoft .NET and IBM WebSphere/J2EE"
TheServerSide.NET news announcement including a comment from CEO of The Middleware Company.

Authors

(C) 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.