Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 enables you to connect diverse software, then graphically create and modify process logic that uses that software. BizTalk Server will also enable information workers to interact with trading partners, monitor running processes and perform other business-oriented tasks. To install the Microsoft BizTalk Adapters for Enterprise Applications click here.

Important additions in BizTalk Server 2006 include:
· Better support for deploying, monitoring, and managing applications
· Significantly simpler installation
· Improved capabilities for Business Activity Monitoring (BAM)

BizTalk Server 2006 also uses the latest releases of other Microsoft technologies. It is built on version 2.0 of the .NET Framework, for example, and its developer tools are hosted in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005.

For storage, BizTalk Server 2006 can use SQL Server 2005, the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship database product, or SQL Server 2000, the previous release. BizTalk Server 2006 can also run on 64-bit Windows, taking advantage of the larger memory and other benefits that this new generation of hardware offers.

Minimum Requirements: 32-Bit Systems:

Personal computer with an Intel Pentium-compatible CPU that is:
· 1 gigahertz (GHz) or higher for single processors
· 900 megahertz (MHz) or higher for double processors
· 700 MHz or higher for quad-processors

· Memory
1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM
· Hard disk
6 GB of available hard disk space (including approximately 3 GB for program files and all dependencies in maximum configuration)
· Drive
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive recommended
· Monitor
Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors or more

Minimum Requirements: 64-Bit Systems:

· Processor
AMD Opteron (AMD64), Intel XEON (EM64T), or compatible 1.7 GHz or higher processor recommended

· Memory
1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM

· Hard disk
6 GB of available hard disk space (including approximately 3 GB for program files and all dependencies in maximum configuration)

· Drive
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive recommended

· Monitor
Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors or more

The minimum software requirements for a complete installation of BizTalk Server 2006 on a single computer include:
· Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1
· Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2005 with Microsoft Visual C# .NET
· Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or Microsoft SQL Server 2000 with Service Pack 4
· Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services or Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services with Service Pack 4
· Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services with Service Pack 2

If you are configuring Business Activity Services (BAS), the minimum software requirements for a client computer include:
· Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003 with Service Pack 2 (must be installed on every computer that accesses Business Activity Services)
· Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 2.

If you will be using Orchestration Designer for Business Analysis, Microsoft Office Visio 2003 with Service Pack 2 is required.

If you are configuring Business Activity Monitoring (BAM), you will need the following:
· SQL Server 2000 Management Tools (for BAM on SQL 2000)
· SQL Server 2005 Integration Services (for BAM on SQL 2005)
· SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services Decision Support Objects (for BAM Analysis on SQL/OLAP 2000)
· SQL Server 2005 Client Tools (for BAM Analysis on SQL/OLAP 2005)
· SQL NS (for BAM Alerts)
· Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 (for BAM Alerts on SQL 2000)
· Microsoft Office Excel 2003 with Service Pack 2 (for creating BAM activity and view definitions)

To use the Enterprise Single Sign-On (SSO) Administration MMC snap-in, Microsoft Management Console (MMC) 3.0 is required on the computer.

If you are using the Single Sign-On (SSO) client tool (SSOClient.exe or SSOClientUI.exe), the minimum requirement for a client computer includes:

· Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, or Windows Server 2003 R2

The SSO client package is available as a self-extracting executable file (SSOClientInstall.exe) installed with the Enterprise SSO Administration feature. The client utility enables users to configure and manage their mappings. SSOClient.exe is a command line utility, and the SSOClientUI.exe is a graphical user interface-based utility.

Note: SSOClientUI.exe can be used only if Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 is installed on the computer.