BizTalk Server 2010 Cookbook

It’s about time someone authored a BizTalk Cookbook that all BizTalk Roles could relate to. Most BizTalk 2010 books have been geared towards developers only.

I had ordered this book several months ago and just received my copy yesterday. I hadn’t had a chance to read the book in depth. Normally I look at the table of contents and just read the chapters that interest me. I found this book a little different; all the chapters included sections that sparked my interest.

The author, Steef-Jan Wiggers is considered to be one of the top BizTalk experts in the world. He is well known and widely respected for his contributions to the BizTalk Community. He is a MVP for BizTalk, a distinction not easily earned.

Unlike most cookbooks, in which the chapters do not follow a pattern, I found that the recipes read much like tutorials. Steef-Jan has included sample code for each chapter.

Once I have time to thoroughly read the book and work through some of the samples, I will continue this review. From what I have seen so far, this book is a “must buy” for anyone involved with BizTalk. As I mentioned previously, this book is not only geared for BizTalk Developers.

The book is available from Amazon or from PackT.

If you are trying to solve LOB Integration problems using BizTalk 2010

 

“Microsoft BizTalk 2010: Line of Business Systems Integration “ 

I am sure that most BizTalk Architects, Developers, and Administration will agree that BizTalk Server 2010 is a collection of Tools and Services that can be used to solve many Business Problems. The most common problem is Integrating Systems that have no direct means of communication. These are usually the core business systems.

There are several good BizTalk reference books available, but only one of them addresses BizTalk's Integration capabilities. That book is Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010: Line of Business Systems Integration. This book is more than just another reference book. It starts where the published WCF LOB Documentation leaves off. Each chapter is like a training session.

The chapters in this book are very diverse. They range for developing custom WCF LOB Adapters using the WCF LOB Adapter SDK to integrating with Salesforce.com. Each chapter provides a through description of the LOB Adapter and step-by-step instructions in its use. There are several examples of how the LOB Adapter can be used to solve real business problems. There is source code available for each of the examples.

BizTalk is a complex product that can be overwhelming to those just starting to work with it. I have been working with BizTalk for over nine years and still am still overwhelmed with its capabilities. You can't be an expert on all that BizTalk offers. Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010: Line of Business Systems Integration has provided me with answers to questions that help me solve my client's LOB Integration problems.

The authors are highly recognized as the "LOB Integration Experts". Although I don't know them personally, I have communicated with them and avidly follow their blog postings.

If you are trying to solve LOB Integration problems using BizTalk 2010, Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010: Line of Business Systems Integration is a must buy.