Microsoft is shipping BizTalk Server 2006 R2, the companys core service-oriented architecture and business process management technology.
The new version of the Redmond, Wash., software makers SOA tool, announced Sept. 10, features enhancements to BizTalks RFID (radio frequency identification) and EDI (electronic data interchange) capabilities as well as extended interoperability to facilitate the interconnection of systems within and across organizations and their trading partners, the company said.
Steven Martin, director of the connected systems product management at Microsoft, told eWEEK that with features like RFID, native support for EDI and AS2 (Applicability Statement 2), and integrated support for vertical industry standards such as SWIFT [Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication], HL7, HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act], and RosettaNet, BizTalk Server 2006 R2 delivers an integrated platform for supply-chain connectivity and process collaboration.
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Martin said BizTalk Server 2006 R2 is also available in a new Branch Edition version that enables connecting intra-organization, hub-and-spoke supply-chain processes.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is releasing ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) Guidance for users who need help with their SOA implementations. The ESB Guidance offering delivers architectural guidance, patterns and practices for customers to follow. And the new offerings augment 19 partner offerings aimed at helping customers, Microsoft said.
In addition, Microsoft also released BizTalk Server Adapter Pack Beta 2 for testing, to help customers integrate their line of business applications, Martin said. The adapters work with BizTalk Server 2006 R2, SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and are scheduled to be available in the first half of 2008, he said.
“With BizTalk Server 2006 R2, customers choose how they want to connect applications, platforms and people—we provide them with the tools to do it,” he said.
Martin said 90 percent of the Fortune Global 100 use BizTalk Server.
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