BizTalk Server Update for 2008 Products

A BizTalk Server update planned for 2009 will deliver compatibility with Microsoft’s latest OS, developer tools, and database software, while preserving backward compatibility. The update, currently named BizTalk Server 2006 R3, means a longer useful life for the current BizTalk Server product and the applications that customers have built on it, although customers without Software Assurance will have to pay to get the benefits.

R3 Required for 2008 Platform Products

The most important goal for BizTalk Server 2006 R3 is compatibility with the latest versions of Windows Server, Visual Studio, and SQL Server. BizTalk Server depends on all three products, but the current version (BizTalk Server 2006 R2) is not compatible with Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 (already released) and will probably not be compatible with SQL Server 2008 (due in the second half of 2008).

The R3 update will enable BizTalk Server customers to take advantage of OS and tool changes, such as an improved Web server and network stack in Windows Server 2008. It also ensures that current BizTalk Server applications will have a fully supported OS to run on for years into the future: Windows Server 2003 is due to leave Mainstream support in July 2010, after which it will not receive service packs or any unpaid support other than critical security patches.