Monitoring BizTalk Solutions in an Enterprise

There are certain aspects (governance, support groups) that need to be understood when monitoring BizTalk solutions starts become necessary. One aspect is support groups with roles and responsibilities. I summarize here what in my opinion and experience these groups should be and which roles are mandatory:

• Technical supports needs to monitor Operating System and SQL Server:
  • System administrator (support, monitor health of system);
  • Database administrator (support, monitor health of database).
• Functional support to monitor messaging, orchestrations, ports:
  • BizTalk Support (Interface Specialist, Process Specialist);
  • BizTalk Operator (support deployment BizTalk applications, configuration);
  • BizTalk Developer (BizTalk Application Specialist).
• Business level support to monitor activity, throughput:
  • Business Analyst (monitor activity/processes, analyze trends);
  • Business Support Manager (monitor activity, report to business).

Note here that you can have a different view/opinion on which support groups there should be and/or which roles should be involved/mandatory.

Monitoring BizTalk solutions in an enterprise the above mentioned support groups are vital to achieve manageability and sustainability. Defining roles and responsibilities is one thing and using the right tooling for each is another. This can be a challenging, complex and hard task to accomplish to have the right people using the right tools to provide correct and swift support towards a BizTalk issue/call that is being raised. Regarding roles and responsibilities I will list a couple of resources here I found together with a list of tools that can be used.

Also check following blog site for monitoring BizTalk and maintain a healthy BizTalk environment. I hope this post will give you a feeling about supporting BizTalk solutions and what Microsoft can offer and what alternatives there are.

TechnoratiBizTalkBizTalk 2006 R2BizTalk Server 2009

Author: Steef-Jan Wiggers

Steef-Jan Wiggers is all in on Microsoft Azure, Integration, and Data Science. He has over 15 years’ experience in a wide variety of scenarios such as custom .NET solution development, overseeing large enterprise integrations, building web services, managing projects, designing web services, experimenting with data, SQL Server database administration, and consulting. Steef-Jan loves challenges in the Microsoft playing field combining it with his domain knowledge in energy, utility, banking, insurance, healthcare, agriculture, (local) government, bio-sciences, retail, travel, and logistics. He is very active in the community as a blogger, TechNet Wiki author, book author, and global public speaker. For these efforts, Microsoft has recognized him a Microsoft MVP for the past 8 years. View all posts by Steef-Jan Wiggers