Challenges with Message Queue Software
Software solutions can come with their own set of challenges.
Poor MQ practice: MQ policies may slow down message processing speed due to incorrect models. The system might automatically blame the issue on the message senders and blocklist them. MQ users should identify common messages and plan ahead on how to process different types of messages beforehand. It is best to test through multiple message queue processes based on the expected load to avoid bandwidth issues.
Ease of use: Message queue can bring additional challenges without the right talent. To set up the correct message queue process, an IT team has to go through different scenarios with different types of network connections and message processing rules, which would result in adding additional layers and slowing down the loading speed. Companies should ensure they invest in additional talent to maintain the MQ process and software.
How to Buy Message Queue Software
Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Message Queue Software
As good as it sounds, message queue software may not be suitable for every use case. MQ software is typically designed to handle a permanent and ongoing messaging process that requires fast processing speed and zero-lost-message tolerance when losing a message can significantly impact the operation. Simple or temporal message processing may not need MQ software, which adds unnecessary costs and time.
Users should have a specific use case in mind before considering buying an MQ software. Financial firms or hospitals that transfer sensitive, timely, critical messages might need a high availability MQ server to process the messages. Different use cases require different MQ models and features. Since not all requirements have the same importance, buyers should assign them priorities and focus on the most important ones. Buyers need to differentiate must-have features from nice-to-have features from their business case.
Compare Message Queue Software Products
Create a long list
Buyers should start with a large pool of MQ software vendors. Keeping the desired must-have features in mind, buyers must perform consistent inquiries during demos by which they can effectively compare the pros and cons of each software.
Create a short list
It helps cross reference the results of initial vendor evaluations with G2 reviews from other buyers, which will help narrow in on a short three to five product list. From there, buyers can compare pricing and features to determine the best fit.
Conduct demos
As a rule of thumb, companies should make sure to demo all of the products that end up on their short list. During demos, buyers should ask specific questions related to the functionalities they care about most. For example, one might ask to be walked through a typical performance issue from alerting to remediation within the tool.
Selection of Message Queue Software
Choose a selection team
Regardless of a company’s size, it’s essential to involve the most relevant personas when beginning the software selection process. Larger companies may include individual team members from development teams, testing teams, data teams, and other IT professionals working with the software closely. Smaller companies with fewer employees might overlap roles.
Negotiation
Many companies offer full monitoring platforms that go beyond MQ to include network monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, and more. While some companies will not budge on the configurations of their packages, buyers looking to trim costs should try to negotiate down to the specific functions that matter to them to get the best price. For example, a vendor’s pricing page for MQ functionality might only be included with a robust all-in-one monitoring package, whereas a sales conversation may prove otherwise.
Final decision
After this stage, performing a trial run with a small selection of IT professionals or developers is important. This will help ensure that the MQ software of choice integrates well with an IT administrator’s systems setup or a developer’s day-to-day work. If the software is well-liked and well utilized, the buyer can take that as a sign that their selection is the right one. If not, a reevaluation of the options may be required.
