Microsoft Integration: Virginia’s Professionals
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Have you been wondering about how Microsoft integration could be helpful for your business?

You’ve found the integration experts in Virginia who have 30 years of combined experience serving Roanoke, Richmond, Alexandria, Blacksburg, and the surrounding areas.

 

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Microsoft Integration Technologies

There is no universal solution when it comes to application integration. Varying circumstances require specialized approaches. Rather than blanketing the full spectrum of problems with a complex technology, Microsoft has kindly developed several unique integration methods which each target a group of situations. Combined, these simpler integration technologies comprehensively address all aspects of integration.

Microsoft integration technologies are categorized in the following manner:

• Integrating Applications Directly
• ASP.NET Web Services (ASMX)
• .NET Remoting
• Enterprise Services
• Idigo
• Integrating Applications via Queues
• Microsoft Message Queuing
• SQL Service Broker
• Indigo
• Integrating Windows Applications with IBM System Applications and Data
• Host Integration Server 2004
• Application Integration through a Broker
• BizTalk Server 2006
• Data Integration
• SQL Server Integration Services
• SQL Server Replication

It isn’t difficult to combine these related technologies. They all are based on a common foundation, .NET framework, and can be used in a sole developmental environment, Visual Studio 2005.

Integrating Applications Directly

Applications, unlike data, actually perform an action rather than just store information. Using a remote procedure call (RPC) is the simplest way to connect one portion of an application to another. Three older Microsoft integration technologies provided by .NET framework applications are ASMX, .NET remoting, and enterprise services. More recently, Indigo was released. Indigo provides a common solution, as it subsumes all three of the previous technologies.

Let’s go over the uses of each technology:

ASP.NET Web Services (ASMX) – Connects Windows applications with both, Windows and alternative operating system, applications via SOAP.

.NET Remoting – Connects two Windows applications via traditional distributed objects.

Enterprise Services – Connects two Windows applications that use object lifetime management, distributed transactions, and others.

Indigo – Connects Windows applications with both, Windows and alternative operating system, applications using lifetime management, distributed transactions, and others. (Subsumes ASMX, .NET Remoting and Enterprise Services)

Integrating Applications via Queues

Rather than directly communicating with other applications, the use of queued messaging is another option. This form of Microsoft integration allows for applications to interact flexibly in an adaptable manner.

The receiving application can interpret the sent data at the appropriate time, and even can be dormant when the information was initially sent.

Let’s go over options for integrating applications via queues:

Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ) – Connects two Windows applications together utilizing message queues.

SQL Service Broker (SSB) – Connects two SQL server applications together utilizing message queues.

Indigo – Connects two Windows applications via MSMQ and/or SSB utilizing message queues.

Integrating Windows Apps with IBM Apps and Data

Host Integration Server (HIS) is a collection of technologies which connect to applications/data on IBM mid-range systems and mainframes. It connects applications in Windows with IBM iSeries and zSeries applications and data. HIS also links MSMQ to IBM WebSphere MQ.

Application Integration through a Broker

Inherent complexity is involved with directly linking multiple applications to one another. Microsoft integration under these circumstances is best accomplished via the use of a broker.

Brokers are a common connection amongst the applications and they are capable of altering formats as needed in order to support various technologies. BizTalk Server is the solution for Windows.

BizTalk Server is ideal for:

• Connecting applications in Windows with those of other operating systems using diverse protocols
• Providing Business Rules Engines, Business Activity Monitoring, and other business process services
• Using graphically-defined orchestrations to control business processes
• Connecting partners in business using standards for their specific industry, such as HL7 or RosettaNet
• Translating one message format into another

Data Integration

The manipulation and organization of information amongst data stores is different from application integration in that data lacks its own intelligence. Both Microsoft integration technologies used for data integration are related to SQL Server.

Let’s review each of the two solutions:

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) – Translates and combines data from varying sources into a SQL Server database.

SQL Server Replication – Synchronizes SQL Server data with copies of the same data across two or more SQL Server, Oracle, or DB2 databases.

Who Can I Consult Regarding Microsoft Integration?

If Microsoft integration is of interest to you in Virginia near Roanoke, Blacksburg, Richmond or Alexandria then you can count on Automation Business Technologies to get you headed in the right direction.

With over 30 years of combined experience, we’re able to accurately analyze your situation and provide resolve in a timely manner.

Click here to connect with an expert or simply call 540-283-9690.

 

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