Covast's B2B Technology Released with Microsoft BizTalk Server

Covast announced that its advanced B2B technology will be delivered along with the release of Microsoft (News - Alert) BizTalk Server 2006 R3 and the Advanced B2B Pack. The advanced B2B technology was recently acquired by Microsoft Corporation.

 

The advanced B2B capabilities include expanded support of vertical industry standards, advanced B2B metadata management and enhanced B2B transports, as well as a B2B operations monitor.

 

Customers who are already using BizTalk Server 2006 R2 and Covast’s B2B solutions will be offered migration options to BizTalk Server 2006 R3. The additional capabilities in R3 and the Advanced B2B Pack will extend the mainstream capabilities already present in the BizTalk Server R2.

 

Covast customers not using BizTalk Server 2006 R2, can continue with the Covast maintenance and support agreements till the Advanced B2B Pack is released. But these organizations will be given access to Covast’s full suite of advanced B2B capabilities by licensing BizTalk Server 2006 R3.

 

Steven Martin, director of product management for the Connected Systems Division at Microsoft, said, “Our goal is to make it easier for Microsoft’s customers to connect to their customers and trading partners. The acquisition of Covast’s technology is an important investment that expands our B2B portfolio by addressing additional complex B2B scenarios.”

 

Covast’s technology in Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R3 and the Advanced B2B Pack include such capabilities like new standards for some retail segments like warehousing, grocery, energy, automotive and air freight.

 

The capabilities offered include B2B metadata management for EDI “super” interchanges, greater compatibility with SQL server repository/ Visual Studio (EDI Explorer) and new reporting capabilities. Advanced B2B transports with new file adapters and transports and VAN connectivity are added features.

 

Covast technology also provides a B2B operations monitor, which enables role-based viewing, end-to-end tracking/tracing and automatic archiving.

 

Daan Scheer, CEO of Covast, remarked, “Whether you’re on R2 or waiting for R3, Microsoft BizTalk Server customers will soon have access to a new set of advanced B2B capabilities. This is very important to those companies that operate in highly-complex B2B environments. Instead of piecing together different B2B software, their needs will be met by a single solution.”

 

Covast provides business-to-business (B2B) integration solutions and it revolutionizes supply chain integration using the B2B integration appliance, the Covast BBot. BBot requires only a local area network with Internet connection and it allows integration between the complex B2B systems of large supply chain hubs and their smaller customers and suppliers. This results in better visibility, compliance, efficiency and accuracy for every supply chain. Covast is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.