From the outdated BizTalk to a future with Azure

A large technical solutions wholesaler was working with the outdated BizTalk 2013 and had to take real steps due to security risks. Since the company was already working with the Microsoft stack, the decision was made to switch to Azure Integration Services. The result? More security, better interfaces, and a solid foundation for future innovations such as AI.

The company is a wholesaler of technical solutions for installation and industry with 37 branches (sales offices and points of sale), 3 distribution centers and 1 Central Office. Approximately 2,300 people work at the company. The company is part of a parent company, which is active worldwide.

The transition started in mid-2024 and is expected to last until mid-2026. The company initially planned to upgrade the outdated BizTalk 2013 environment to BizTalk 2020, but that turned out to be a temporary solution without a future. BizTalk stops in 2028, and BizTalk 2020 runs on Windows 2012, which is no longer supported and is simply a security risk. The company has a broad IT landscape in which several crucial systems such as SAP have been regularly renewed in recent years. However, the integration layer with BizTalk 2013 lagged behind, causing challenges.

The switch to Azure aligns with the strategy of the parent company and other international branches. HSO has set up the Cloud Foundation at the parent company and the technical solutions wholesaler. This serves as the basis for the Integration Landing Zone where various solutions, including integration, run. This choice ensures standardization in both infrastructure and integration systems. The company was already moving towards Azure, and eventually, the parent company also switched. Moreover, more and more countries, such as Norway, America, and France, are following.

'Best practice' interfaces

Azure Integration Services not only solved the continuity risk of BizTalk 2013 but also brought a completely new way of working. Instead of a server-based and outdated system, Azure offers a flexible, scalable, and microservice iPaas environment where interfaces can be easily adjusted and managed. All new interfaces are designed directly according to the latest best practices. Importantly, Azure also makes the integration of other systems such as SAP easier. By running all processes through a single central integration layer, the company is finally saying goodbye to the inefficiency of parallel integration solutions. Moreover, the extensive monitoring in Azure provides much more insight into the performance of the interfaces.

Cloud Competence Center as backbone

The company chose HSO because of their structured approach and expertise in migrating from BizTalk to Azure. HSO has self-developed tools that read out the BizTalk environment, show exactly how it is built, and where the complexity lies. This approach accelerates the integration strategy.

To ensure the integration project runs smoothly, a Cloud Competence Center has been established to create and monitor clear guidelines. The collaboration strengthens each other. New standards are developed through a mutual process, ensuring that both HSO and the company are jointly responsible for the growth and improvement of the Cloud infrastructure.

The switch to Azure not only lays the foundation for operational improvements but also opens new doors. With a uniform integration layer, the company will soon be able to deploy AI much more easily. Applying AI is on the agenda, but the focus is now fully on integration. Once the integration platform is firmly in place, the company will work on developing a compelling business case to deploy AI in a targeted manner and add value – and Azure will help enormously with that.