BizTalk Server 2000 is a tool used for the integration of partners' information systems. The B2B integration services offered by BizTalk Server 2000 are traditional:

• Routing of data stream between partners
• Interpretation and transformation of data formats
• Tracking and protection of exchanges

BizTalk Server 2000 uses simple rules to implement a multitude of mechanisms to achieve the above. The particularity of the product is that it is 100% Microsoft. It is based on the following software:

• Microsoft Windows 2000, in its various versions
• Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) with Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP)
• Microsoft SQL Server (7.0 or 2000). (Note that for SQL Server 7.0 the entire system must be updated)
• Microsoft Visio 2000.

Each software building block provides the mechanisms required for data exchange:

• Support for HTTP, HTTPs, SMTP, EDIFACT protocols
• Support for message services
• Support for file exchange
• Management of distributed transactions
• XML transformation with a parser
• Storage and archiving of messages
• Graphical definition of exchanges
• Administration of business services