BizTalk Server
BizTalk Server is Microsoft's enterprise integration platform for connecting different business systems, automating workflows, and transforming data between formats. It handles scenarios where multiple applications need to exchange information: ERP systems talking to suppliers, financial systems processing transactions, or healthcare systems sharing patient data. BizTalk provides adapters for various protocols and systems, orchestration for complex workflows, and tools for mapping data between formats. For non-technical readers, BizTalk acts as a central hub that allows different business systems to communicate. When your order system needs to update inventory, notify shipping, and trigger billing, BizTalk can coordinate these steps automatically, handling the technical details of talking to each system in its own language. BizTalk has been a cornerstone of enterprise integration for two decades. However, BizTalk Server 2020 is the final version; Microsoft is not developing new releases and recommends migration to Azure Integration Services for new projects.
Official WebsiteMigration Guidance
BizTalk Server 2020 is the final version. Microsoft recommends migrating to Azure Integration Services, which provides modern equivalents: Logic Apps for workflows, Service Bus for messaging, API Management for APIs, and Functions for custom code. Migration requires careful planning: map existing integrations to Azure equivalents, prioritise based on business criticality, and migrate incrementally. Microsoft provides migration guidance and tools, but expect significant effort for complex deployments.
When to use BizTalk Server
Use BizTalk Server only for maintaining existing integrations that already run on it. New integration projects should use Azure Integration Services (Logic Apps, Service Bus, API Management) or other modern integration platforms.
If you have working BizTalk integrations, they can continue operating, but plan for eventual migration as the platform receives only maintenance updates.
Why choose BizTalk Server?
Organisations historically chose BizTalk for its comprehensive integration capabilities, enterprise support, and Microsoft ecosystem alignment. It provided a unified platform for complex integration scenarios when few alternatives existed. Many critical business processes still run on BizTalk today.