News

BizTalk Server 2000 Leverages XML, SOAP

• By Scott Bekker
• September 26, 2000

BizTalk Server 2000 is Microsoft's entrée into e-business community infrastructure with a tool that manages business processes via Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).

The server utilizes these standards to facilitate business document interchange among applications. In short, business can automate the routing of purchase orders and invoices in a web-based environment, sharing data with other e-Business back-end systems or across the Internet. This makes the product a natural precursor to Microsoft's move toward .NET.

BizTalk Server provides the means for the routing and delivery of business documents in EDI and flat files as well as XML, deliverable by traditional Internet protocols, such as HTTP, FTP, and SMTP. Documents are encrypted or otherwise protected by digital signatures.  Mapping and editing tools are provided, and the system is compliant with a variety of Windows-based content management tools on the market.

This is a new ballgame for Microsoft, taking full advantage of the burgeoning XML phenomenon. It's been in development for more than a year.  Schema libraries and tools have been up on the web for some time to enable businesses to pave the way for making use of this technology.  – Ted Williams

For Microsoft’s overview, see www.microsoft.com/biztalkserver.