Microsoft BizTalk Server vs. Mitratech TAP Workflow Automation

BizTalk is well suited as middleware. Where you wish to translate an input file into an output file and send it to some endpoint. In our case, we used it to convert and send files to SAP. In many ways, it very flexible, and you can do almost anything you want with it. In many ways, it's a better solution than your SAP XI or PI as middleware, since it's much less expensive, and allows you do interface with non-SAP systems.

Incentivized

From my few months of using the tool, I believe the tool would be best suited for Legal Ops (Contracting) & Procurement. Maybe even in competitive bidding (strategic sourcing: eg RFP & RFX). The tool may be less appropriate for Payment Processing/Collecting.

Incentivized

• It is very user friendly. Users can change rules during run time and change workflow.
• Huge capacity for queueing messages. It supports all types of adapters like Oracle, Salesforce, SMTP, FTP, etc. Also users can built custom adaptors.
• If users want to dynamically deploy their solution without any downtime, this is a perfect solution. BizTalk will be a good fit, especially for public-facing websites.
• Well-proven in the market. I used it when developing a website for Virgin Trains, catering more than 800K user requests per day.
• Helps in load balancing.

Incentivized

• Creating a user community and sharing knowledge of automation best practices.
• Easy to use form and workflow builder.
• Responsive and knowledgeable technical team.

Incentivized

• Microsoft BizTalk is over engineered for some situtations
• Microsoft BizTalk can be frustrating to use as it forces you to use the GUI as opposed to code
• Microsoft BizTalk is very resource intensive to create integrations

Incentivized

• Adding form fields can be quite tedious as it has to be added to every stage/relationship.
• It's difficult to remember where a certain condition/formula sits.
• I wish the workflow itself can be exported for presentation/demo/documentation purposes.
• I wish there was a way for more than one admin to configure the tool at the same time.

Incentivized

BizTalk will always be required at this hospital.

Incentivized

I gave a 7 because this product BizTalk does need time and training to get familiar with the usability and features, it is not that easy to use.

Incentivized

BizTalk Server has been supported for more than 15 years. It is well proven in the market. Microsoft has provided excellent support with technical issues.

Incentivized

Make sure you have everybody and all depts. On board during testing on test server.

Incentivized

BizTalk was selected here mainly because it is easy to integrate to a .NET application (most of them are Web Service, WCF SOAP, WCF REST and Web API) and many backend databases are Microsoft SQL Server. Another benefit is that the monitoring job is easy to set up and centralize with other .NET application monitoring jobs.

Incentivized

Autodesk selected TAP because of its ability to handle more complex workflows. We vetted a lot of "light" automation solutions but wanted a tool that was flexible enough to handle our more extensive use cases.

Incentivized

• A positive impact has been the quicker turnaround time of a part request and that part showing up in SAP using Biztalk as middleware.
• A somewhat negative impact has been the somewhat insufficient error logging/message capture settings that Biztalk provide. This has caused occasional delays when attempted to create parts for the business.
• A somewhat negative impact has been the need to have a specialized developer who understands Biztalk to troubleshoot issues with the Biztalk and SAP interaction when creating parts, and when adding new fields to the parts.

Incentivized

• Required fields force robust disclosure information up front.
• Workday integration enables pre-population of fields which reduces manual entry and saves compliance time.
• Emails, communications, and disclosure decision memos and stored in a centralized database which helps our team keep compliant records.
• Automated reminders have led to less ‘chasing’ by compliance.
• Improved UX has encouraged and increased disclosures, mitigating our company's risk.

Incentivized