Why I like being a BizTalk Architect/Developer

So why is BizTalk so much fun? Well, on an average day a BizTalk Architect/Developer gets to play in some of the following.

• Database Design and performance tuning
• Web servers and Load Balancing strategies
• Core operating system features such as Windows Clustering
• Line-of-business systems (CRM, ERP .. etc..)
• Communication channels and protocols
• File formats and data transformation
• XML, XSD
• Advanced design patterns.
• Storage Solutions and recommendations
• Business Process design and orchestration
• Secure Messaging
• Systems and Application Integration
• Network and Infrastructure design and configuration

These are things that a front-end web developer, SharePoint developer or DBA may never have or need exposure to. So, a good BizTalk Developer has to dig in deep and be able to wear many hats in a lot of specific areas.

In my opinion a good BizTalk developer needs to be equally effective in both Software and Infrastructure disciplines which means that you need lots of good tools in the toolkit and it provides a lot of nice toys for your toybox :-)