Today, during the Application Infrastructure virtual launch event, Microsoft is officially launching Windows Server AppFabric, with the immediate availability of the Windows Server AppFabric Release Candidate (RC); the final release of the product will be available in June. Microsoft is encouraging Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (Standard and Enterprise edition) customers to download the RC and get ready for the final release.

Also today, we’re announcing the availability of the BizTalk Server 2010 Beta; which now integrates with Windows Server AppFabric, combining the rich capabilities of BizTalk Server integration and the flexible development experience of .NET to allow customers to easily develop and manage composite applications. You can download the beta at www.microsoft.com/biztalk.

Why is this important? Today’s increasingly complex IT environment demands solutions that provide elastic scale, simplified deployment and management, and the ability to connect systems across cloud and on-premises. Combined with Windows Azure AppFabric (which is currently available), Windows Server AppFabric and BizTalk Server 2010 provide the necessary application infrastructure to address these needs.

Microsoft has been working closely with customers and partners like Jettainer and Expertime who are already using Windows Server AppFabric and BizTalk Server to simplify their existing solutions.

For Jettainer, logistics are everything. Their company’s success requires a complete and accurate tracking of all Unit Load Devices within a global transportation network of airlines, forwarders, airports, and other stakeholders. Windows Server AppFabric gives Jettainer the hosting services solution it needs, while helping the company cut development time by 50 percent, and linking back-end systems to enable a better view into operations.

Expertime is an IT consultancy based in France and also a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. One of their clients is a large furniture supplier throughout Europe. Prior to working with Expertime, the client was working with a legacy system that was unable to scale with their business and integrate with the company’s various call centers. By helping the client migrate to the .NET platform and developing an infrastructure that utilizes Windows Server AppFabric and BizTalk Server, the client now has ability to scale and integrate more quickly and efficiently. Adding to this success, the client is estimating a 70% reduction in IT operations costs as a result of using Windows Server AppFabric.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can get started with these technologies today, visit the Application Infrastructure virtual launch event at www.appinfrastructure.com!

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Posted By: SGT Oddball
20 May 2010