NEW BT toolset/see channel 9

While in Redmond several weeks ago, Eddie (Sr something or other for developer tools) showed us the bleeding edge research they are doing to really improve the management and development tools for BizTalk tools beyond 2006. Eddie, I must say. is a very entertaining speaker.

Some of the stuff I saw I can't talk about (I have to say it is cool to say that). Some of the new features they did show at the PDC, and on videos on channel 9. [links below]

Here is a summary:
1. They actually use real world samples when working on the new tools. For example, schema maps with 15,000 fields in them. This forced them to really focus on the scale of work that us users really focus on, instead of trivial amounts of sample work.

2. To fix the 'black map' problem they seriously upgraded the mapping tool. What is the 'black map' problem? When you have a map with a lot of fields, and lines, you eventually only have a large mass of lines, and no whitespace. With auto-mapping using character patterns, folding of the tree, hiding lines that aren't involved in the links selected, and by re-arranging the tree to display everything you are working on. VERY COOL! Check out the video- http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=126990

3. They showed off the new BizTalk Solution Designer. This gives a GUI for managing and developing send/receive ports, subscriptions, and maps. The tool uses autolayout really well to keep the work surface uncluttered. Filters are just nodes on the lines connecting the ports together. Again, more video - http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=115378

-bhp

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