Odds and Ends

A couple things to share on this glorious Wednesday. 

First, one of our BizTalk developers came across an odd scenario, and I just learned that everyone’s favorite Dahan (Yossi Dahan) wrote about it a couple years ago.  Our issue was that an orchestration needed to consume a service with a multi-part input, but the complex type parameter wouldn’t show up as message for mapping.  After a quick poke around, I see that Yossi explained how multi-part messages that have a mix of complex parts and simple type parts cannot be used in a map.  I tried it out, and sure enough, if you create a multi-part orchestration message that does not have all parts set as schema types, then that message isn’t available as a map input or output.  Odd and unappreciated.

Secondly, my company is looking for a simple AS2 solution for integration with a business partner, and was evaluating some available choices.  If (and when) we formally upgrade to BizTalk 2006 R2, we’ll obviously get that capability for free.  In the meantime, we’re also considering either the full AS2 adapter from our buddies at /n software, or the free single-partner AS2 solution also offered by /n software.  I only mention all this because I got a healthy chuckle out of the unconventional FAQ page on the http://www.freeas2.com site.  I’m easily amused, so this was right up my alley.

That’s all.  Carry on.

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