| Connect Skelta from within BizTalk to rapidly integrate with external systems
Typically, Connectors fulfill specialized integration requirements by invoking select functions from proprietary platforms to external clients. BizTalk solutions benefit from the use of connectors in order to expand native workflow logic to incorporate logic and data sources that exist in disparate environments.
Connectors play a key role in almost any integrated environment that includes vendor-specific platforms. Integration products such as the BizTalk connector, solves communication incompatibilities through a simple installation and configuration process.
Skelta BPM.NET BizTalk Connector
Skelta BPM.NET incorporates an out-of-the-box BizTalk connector that lets integration teams create transactions quickly and painlessly. The new low latency connector using native TCP/IP stack with BizTalk closes the gap between BizTalk server and other solution platforms. It provides integration between BizTalk Server and a wide variety of applications, including packaged applications such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
The interface component built using Microsoft .NET technology is responsible for transforming messages received by BizTalk Server into the format expected by the outside application.
Highlights
- Eliminates the need to code complex system interfaces
- Maximizes ROI be creating re-usable interfaces
- Enabled event driven scenarios through back and forth access to data and applications residing on different servers
- Ensures the building of interoperability layers into BizTalk architecture
- Provides a single, uniform environment for smooth workflow
- Provides transactional support
- Uses BizTalk Utilities for robust and easy-to-use technology components that are proven
BizTalk Connector Benefits
- Connects Skelta BPM.NET directly with Microsoft BizTalk
- Invoke Skelta from within BizTalk processes for human workflow integration
- Invoke BizTalk from Skelta for integration with external systems
- Lets BizTalk improve workflow processes
- Saves time, money and resources
- Provides rapid results, quickly delivering improved services
- Full service solution so you don't need technical development resources
- Uses existing business logic from application – eliminates the need to write to the database, thereby ensuring data security
- Cost effective process offering a quick Return on Investment (R.O.I)
Business Scenario
Company ‘X’ uses different legacy systems for Finance, Inventory and Supply chain management. The need for raw materials is raised via Purchase Order (PO) in the Inventory Management System, which is then sent to Finance for approval. The company has BizTalk as middleware, to enable different legacy systems to communicate between them. The need is felt for an advanced human workflow which can span across legacy systems and handle complex approval and escalation scenarios, via BizTalk.
Skelta, with its own BizTalk Connector and advanced human workflow features, provided the answer. The PO is raised inside the Inventory Management System and this triggers the workflow for approval in Skelta through BizTalk Connector. The PO is sent for approval to the designated person based on the value of approval. For example, if the value of PO is 500, then it will be sent to the person of particular designation. If is the value is more than 500, it will require the approval of a higher authority.
The Skelta workflow can also be configured for escalation if the approval does not happen within a specified time period. For example, if the PO is not approved for more than 3 days, then the workflow will automatically escalate and send it to the designated authority for approval. There will be some Po’s which may require approval from a group of people. In that case, the Skelta workflow can be configured to get the approval from the group (which can be set at minimum number of approvals or approval by all). Once the PO is approved, the workflow will send the approved PO to the Finance ERP via Biztalk, at the same time updating the PO as approved in the Inventory ERP.
BizTalk orchestration of the approval workflow
BizTalk Connector featured in Skelta BPM.NET 2009, brings all enterprise system into the BizTalk server architecture and leverages BizTalk server's web services capabilities to reach non-Microsoft platforms. The connector is a complete and intelligent and extensible adapter set for adding new transactions.
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