Gijs’ BizTalk Notes

Since we generate .btm files with our Map Accelerator product, we learned some things the hard way. For instance, you probably all know that there is a limit to the size of mapper grid pages (100*420) and that the maximum number of grid pages is 20. But did you also know that the XRange and YRange attributes in the .btm file are actually not used in BizTalk Server 2004? Now you know.

I’ve been working with BizTalk Server since its first release in December 2000. Our company has over 300 customers running on BizTalk Server, and we add about 30 each quarter.

Since October 2001 I’ve been working closely with the BizTalk product team in Redmond (believe me, I’ve been on more NW33 and NW34 flights - yes, the bloody DC10 which finally has been replaced with a proper Airbus - between Amsterdam and Seattle than is healthy for you and I know most BizTalk product managers and program managers, including their eating and drinking habits) and our company has developed several products for BizTalk, of which the most sold ones are the EDI Accelerator and AS2 Adapter. The latest product released is the Map Accelerator, which helps you migrate B2B integration solutions to BizTalk Server.

I guess you could say we know BizTalk quite well (hey, I even passed the BizTalk 2004 mini exam @ TechEd 2005 in Orlando ;-).

I hope you find my notes on BizTalk helpful and look forward to your comments.

Cheers,
Gijsbert in ‘t Veld
Covast CTO
www.covast.com
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner