News

BizTalk Server 2006 Beta Available

The Beta 1 version of BizTalk Server 2006 is now available from Microsoft Beta Place, the company said this week.

Because of its tight integration with SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005, BizTalk Server 2006 will launch at the same Nov. 7 event as those products. However, Microsoft said on Tuesday that the release to manufacturing of BizTalk Server 2006 won't occur until the first quarter of 2006.

Microsoft defines BizTalk Server as software for automating and managing complex business processes that span applications, trading partners, employees and legacy systems within and across organizational boundaries.

The 2006 version will be the fourth release of the product. Enhancements focus on setup/configuration, management operations, business-user functionality, ease of development and tighter integration with other Microsoft products in the Windows Server System.

Meanwhile, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005 are on a different development track than BizTalk Server 2006. The new versions of SQL and Visual Studio are scheduled to RTM this year.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.