PDC Biztalk Surprises

I did not get a chance to attend the Microsoft PDC. The news getting out from PDC this year on new technologies is huge for Biztalk and rather exciting.

Windows Workflow Foundation:

Looks like a cool platform for integrating workflow capabilities into applications quickly. I looked at a video and it looks like the Orchestration designer in BizTalk. So the next question came up to my mind was what does this mean to Biztalk, Does this replace Biztalk?

Apparently No, this is just a base framework for workflow and does not offer all the capablities of Biztalk Server, Darren Jefford has a very good article about this here

Jon Flanders (He was my Biztalk 2004 trainer from Develop Mentor and a Sharp guy) is going to be the co-author on the Presenting Windows Workflow Foundation book from Sam's, see this announcement here.

I can't wait to get to play with the Workflow Foundation

BizTalk Server Solution Designer:

I watched this video today from channel 9 which Scott has posted in his blog today. Looks like a great concept Microsoft has come up for the future Biztalk release.

It looks like a modeling tool inside Visual Studio where you can go and design the complete Biztalk solution from the Receive Port/Location to Send Port(s) Visually. The GUI looked good in Video and allowed to give detailed information even on stuff you do outside Biztalk but is part of your Biztalk solution.

I had always felt this piece was missing while designing Biztalk Solutions. Great Job Guys!