BizTalk Server 2010 Name Change Q&A

Q: Why was the original name for the release BizTalk Server 2009 R2?

BizTalk Server 2009 R2 was planned to be a focused release to deliver support for Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 R2 and Visual Studio 2010. Aligning BizTalk releases to core server platform releases is very important for our customers. Hence our original plan was to name the release as BizTalk Server 2009 R2.

Q: Why did Microsoft decide to change the name for BizTalk Server 2009 R2 to BizTalk Server 2010?

Over the past year we got lot of feedback from our key customers and decided to incorporate few key asks from our customers in this release. Based on customer value we are delivering and positive feedback we are getting from our early adopter customers we feel the release has transitioned from minor release (BizTalk Server 2009 R2) to a major release (BizTalk Server 2010).

Following is list of key capabilities we have added to the release

1. Enhanced trading partner management that will enable our customers to manage complex B2B relationships with ease

2. Increase productivity through enhanced BizTalk Mapper. These enhancements are critical in increasing productivity in both EAI and B2B solutions; and a favorite feature of our customers.

3. Enable secure data transfer across business partners with FTPS adapter

4. Updated adapters for SAP 7, Oracle eBusiness Suite 12.1, SharePoint 2010 and SQL Server 2008 R2

5. Improved and simplified management with updated System Center management pack

6. Simplified management through single dashboard which enables IT Pros to backup and restore BizTalk configuration

7. Enhanced performance tuning capabilities at Host and Host Instance level

8. Continued innovation in RFID Space with out of box event filtering and delivery of RFID events

Q: Is there any additional benefit to customers with name change to BizTalk Server 2010?

In addition to all the great value the release provides, customers will benefit from support window being reset to 10 years (5 years mainstream and 5 years extended support). This highlights Microsoft’s long term commitment to BizTalk Server product.

Q: What is the RTM date for BizTalk Server 2010? Will this change impact the RTM dates?

We are on schedule to deliver BizTalk Server 2010 in H1 FY11 (H2 CY2010). This name change will not impact the RTM dates.