Introduction

This article is an update to previous BizTalk Server 2010 Overview on the TechNet Wiki.

What is BizTalk Server?

BizTalk Server is a Microsoft Server product for integration and connectivity with a multitude of systems, applications and services. BizTalk Server 2013 is the eight major release of this enterprise ready product that can aid organizations tremendously in connecting disparate systems inside and outside the organization. It provides numerous adapters and has a robust, durable, and scalable messaging infrastructure. In addition to integration capabilities, BizTalk also provides strong durable messaging, a rules engine, EDI connectivity, Business Activity Monitoring (BAM), Windows Azure connectivity, RFID capabilities and IBM Host/Mainframe connectivity (through its Host Integration Server product that is included with BizTalk Server license, see also FAQ).

Why is BizTalk Server?

Microsoft BizTalk Server 2013 can help organizations meet the challenges of integrating diverse systems.  Most organizations have a multitude of systems and technologies that are required for their daily operations. By bringing together these technologies in an agile and scalable way, BizTalk can help unleash the potential of your existing infrastructure, if it is predominantly Microsoft (i.e. Operating Systems, SQL Server).  BizTalk Server 2013 enables organizations to:

• Simplify and automate interoperability to reduce costs and errors

• Gain critical insights on business processes and performance

• Shield processes from change impacts

• Promote agility and manageability

• Integrate, eliminating redundancy

• Automate business interactions with partners

Top new features

Updated Platform Support

• Microsoft Platform Server Products: Windows Server 2012, Microsoft Visual Studio 2012, Microsoft SQL Server 2012, Microsoft System Center 2012, and the latest version of Microsoft Office
• Line-Of Business Systems Support: SAP 7.2 and 7.3, Oracle Database 11.2, Oracle E-Business Suite 12.1, Oracle Siebel 8.1
• Accelerators: HL7 support for versions 2.5.1 and 2.6, and Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) 2012 Message Pack
• EDI: X12 5030, EDIFACT D05B

Improved Performance

• Host handler association of dynamic send ports
• Minimal Lower Layer Protocol (MLLP) adapter improvements
• Multifold improvements in ordered send port scenarios
• XslCompiledTransform in maps

Connect to the Cloud

• Hybrid application support 
• Connection to Windows Azure Service Bus and Windows Azure Storage (BizTalk Server 2013: Connect to the Windows Azure Service Bus)
• REST support (BizTalk Server 2013: REST Support through WCF-WebHttp)
• Microsoft SharePoint Online
• Windows Azure Active Directory Access Control service

Run in the Cloud

• Reduce hardware procurement time (BizTalk Server 2013: IAAS Provisioning a Virtual Machine)
• Set up and configure BizTalk environment in minutes (BizTalk Server 2013: IAAS Provisioning a Virtual Machine)
• Pay for use (BizTalk Server 2013: IAAS Provisioning a Virtual Machine)
• Integrate with Windows Azure Management Portal

Simplified User Experience

•     Viewable artifact dependencies (BizTalk Server 2013: Dependencies)
•     Simplified setup and configuration of Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)
•     Simplified installation of SharePoint adapter
•     Secure file transfer (SFTP)
•     Connector for IBM Informix and DB2 DRDA
•     Web-based administration and deployment for Microsoft Transaction Integrator (TI)

See Also

Read suggested related topics:

• BizTalk Server 2013: Beginners Guide
• BizTalk Server 2013 
• BizTalk Server 2013: New Adapters 
• BizTalk Server 2013: Training and tutorial material
• Total Cost of Ownership

Another important place to find an extensive amount of BizTalk related articles is the TechNet Wiki itself. The best entry point is BizTalk Server Resources on the TechNet Wiki.