A Year of Connection and Innovation:
IBM Sterling Data Exchange Software Recap

What a year it’s been for IBM Sterling Data Exchange! As we wrap up another incredible chapter, we’re reminded how much we owe to our amazing community. Your trust and collaboration have powered everything we’ve achieved. Thank you for helping us grow and for making this ecosystem so vibrant!

• 500+ Sterling Data Exchange clients connected with us at regional user groups and the TechXchange conference
• 200+ Business Partners shared their expertise and insights, strengthening our collective knowledge
  
  

2025 Recap 

Here’s a recap of some of the most significant enhancements we launched in the last year.  

Across all Sterling Data Exchange software portfolio products, we launched IBM Java 17 Semeru support in 2025. This was foundationally important for security and performance reasons. With IBM Java 17 Semeru, the Sterling Data Exchange portfolio of products is better equipped to meet modern integration demands with a more efficient, secure, and future-ready runtime.

• security improvements, eliminates reliance on outdated algorithms, strengthens overall security posture
• performance optimizations, faster startup, reduced memory footprint, and potentially lower infrastructure costs overall

For the individual products below, we’ll highlight the most significant improvements in the last 12 months.

IBM Sterling B2B Integrator and Sterling File Gateway

1.    New Modern and Streamlined UI for Sterling File Gateway (SFG)

In December, we launched a sleek, modern interface in SFG v6.2.2 — and it’s a game-changer. For years, customers have asked for a more intuitive experience, and we listened. The new UI streamlines workflows so you can accomplish tasks faster without hopping between multiple screens or logins. Plus, it looks fantastic! Note: the new version ships with both the old and the new UIs: The new interface is ready for your new workloads, while the classic UI remains available for maintaining existing configurations and assets built in earlier versions. See the new release blog for essential information, especially transition guidance for customers.

2.    AS4 Microservice

B2B Integrator (B2Bi) v6.2.2 now supports the AS4 microservice across both on-premises and containerized deployments. AS4 (Applicability Statement 4) is an OASIS standard designed for secure, reliable, and interoperable B2B messaging—making it a critical protocol for modern data exchange. By adding AS4 support, we’re enabling organizations to meet evolving compliance requirements, improve interoperability with global trading partners, and streamline secure document exchange. This enhancement strengthens our commitment to delivering flexible, standards-based solutions for your B2B integration needs. 

IBM Sterling Connect:Direct (C:D)

1.    Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-ON (SSO)

Connect:Direct for Windows and z/OS now offers Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) to strengthen application security for interactive users. By adding an extra layer of protection—such as a one-time password (OTP)—beyond the traditional username and password, customers can better safeguard sensitive data. These capabilities allow Connect:Direct users to integrate with any Identity Provider (IdP) that supports the SAML 2.0 authentication protocol, helping organizations meet regulatory requirements while ensuring robust security.

2.    Increased Efficiency with Wildcard File Transfers

Connect:Direct for UNIX now supports wildcard file transfers to and from cloud-based object storage, making it easier to move multiple files in a single step. This enhancement simplifies workflows, accelerates cloud integration, and boosts efficiency for hybrid environments.

3.    Improved UI provides a Modern, Smarter Way to Manage File Transfers

The Connect:Direct Web Console delivers a streamlined, intuitive interface designed to simplify and enhance file transfer management:

• Modern Design: Refreshed UI with optimized screen space for better usability
• Personalized Experience: Records-per-page preferences that persist across sessions
• Simplified Navigation: Tabbed Transfers page and guided multi-step forms
• Actionable Insights: Enhanced Statistics View with advanced filter and sort
• Clear Visual Cues: Critical actions highlighted with prominent warning buttons

IBM Sterling Control Center

1.    OpenTelemetry Support

Control Center now supports OpenTelemetry signals, enabling seamless interoperability with third-party tools and dashboards (IBM Instana, Splunk, Dynatrace, and any other dashboard that has a collector for OpenTelemetry data). This integration delivers an end-to-end view of file transfers, B2B processes, and the overall health of your MFT and B2B systems. For more details, see the Integration of Control Center with OpenTelemetry (OTel)

2.    AI Assistant for File and Security Related Queries

The new AI Assistant enables users to ask questions in natural language and receive instant answers for a defined set of file transfer (i.e., where is my file) and security (i.e., show partners with weak ciphers, failed virus scans) use cases. This feature helps users quickly locate relevant information and navigate the IBM Sterling Control Center Monitor interface with ease. For more details, see the Control Center AI Assistant section.

3.   Alert Generation for Potential Duplicate File Transfers
The rule configuration form has been enhanced to support detection of duplicate events. A new checkbox lets users indicate that the rule is intended for duplicate detection, along with specifying required parameters such as occurrence count and occurrence window. For more details, see the Creating a Rule.

4.   Web UI enhancements :

• Advanced Filtering Options for Alerts - The Advanced Filters option in the filter menu enables users to refine the alert search suing parameters such as DVG Names, Event Type, Rule Name, Server Groups, Servers, and SLC Name.
• Auto Cleanup queued processes - Enable this feature to automatically remove queued processes that did not complete successfully. For more details, refer to Auto Cleanup Queued processes section.

IBM Sterling Transformation Extender

1.    Integration and security enhancements

IBM Sterling Transformation Extender (ITX) v11.0.2 introduced powerful enhancements to boost integration, security, and flexibility. This release delivers seamless compatibility with IBM App Connect Enterprise, DataPower Gateway, and Sterling B2B Integrator, while upgrading compiler support for modern environments and adding FIPS 140-3 compliance.

2.    New REST APIs, adapter enhancements and more…

Developers now benefit from JSON Schema Draft 2020-12 support and new REST API capabilities. Key improvements include advanced adapter features like Kafka acknowledgment, extended timeout options, and enhanced MQ connectivity, alongside usability upgrades such as Launcher logging precision and ZIP adapter path control. Together, these changes position ITX as a future-ready solution for secure, high-performance data transformation across industries.

3.    New 2025 Industry Packs

The 2025 versions of all ITX Industry Packs—Financial Payments, Financial Payments PLUS, Healthcare, Supply Chain, and SAP Applications—help customers across industries stay compliant with evolving standards. Among these, the Healthcare Pack saw major changes, ensuring robust HIPAA compliance and streamlined data exchange for critical healthcare transactions. The ITX Healthcare Pack v11.0.2 strengthens compliance and interoperability with significant updates to HIPAA 8060.

IBM Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Multi-Enterprise Supply Chain Commerce Network 2025 Vendor Assessment !

We're thrilled to announce that IBM has been recognized as a Leader in a new IDC MarketScape! This prestigious recognition is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative and effective B2B middleware solutions. We're proud to be a leader in the B2B middleware space and look forward to continuing to help our customers achieve their business goals in the coming year.

In you have any questions or want to discuss how to activate any of the above capabilities for your organization, please contact us to arrange a time to meet.