4 March 2004 Microsoft has launched the third major version of its business integration software, BizTalk Server 2004, which includes improvements in business process management capabilities.

The software promises better scalability, improved developer tools, support for long-running transaction processes and performance up to five times faster in messaging and orchestration functions. It also includes access to a wider range of third-party server products, which Microsoft hopes will enable businesses to improve rules and policies surrounding business processes.

“Today, enterprises face significant challenges in managing and automating increasingly disconnected business processes,” said Ted Kummert, corporate vice president of the E-Business Servers group in a statement. “BizTalk Server 2004 enables customers to manage and automate their business processes, while also giving tools to design, deploy and monitor these processes in real time.”

“Our early adopters have seen rapid time to value from their BizTalk Server 2004 solutions, and we are excited about delivering these same results to more customers today,” added Kummert.

The product is due to be released on 1 April, but Microsoft faces stiff competition in a small and increasingly competitive marketplace, warn analysts.