biztalk integration with IBM mainframe

Question

I have a CRM purchase order application from my end (internal) its database is SQL. The IBM mainframe application is at the end client site (external).

Currently the CRM application is talking directly to the IBM mainframe application, it is sending purchase orders LIVE. The way it is communicating is by IP address and Port number.

I need to integrate both applications with biztalk 2010. Any ideas how to accomplish this task? What kind of adapters do I use? 

Also, Does the back end client that supports the IBM mainframe application need to have biztalk environment setup?

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Christiane

Answer 1

Is this the only integration requirement for the mainframe app? IF this is then it is OK to leave it as a Point-to-point interface. On the other hand, if you wish to expand the interface to be usable and called by other applications as well then it'd be worthwhile to understand the TCP/IP communication that is currently happening between the CRM App and the mainframe app. You might want to create a custom adapter on this or try and evaluate if the mainframe app can leverage other things such as the DB2 Adapter (available with the Host Integration Services) or leverage IBM WebSphere MQ for the purposes of inter-app communication. Once you understand the provider and its capabilities then you can decide on the best mechanism to interface with it and then you'd know how BizTalk can support the integration requirements.

Regards.

Answer 2

Hi Christiane,

When you said “The IBM mainframe application is at the end client site (external)”, then I assume your client who use IBM mainframe is not with your organisation’s network boundary and I would check whether the mainframe app at your client has any Web service exposed to provide interface with their IBM mainframe service. If so then BizTalk does have WCF adapter for you to integrate with their web service to interact with IBM mainframe.

Or if the IBM mainframe is an internal system within your network, I will find what type of IBM server programs you have to connect i.e IBM mainframe’s cics, ims, vsam dataset, WebSphere MQ. Then using the appropriate Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010 adapters for host systems you can connect to appropriate IBM mainframe systems

Following article gives details about the adapter and its relevant IBM mainframe systems.

http://www.microsoft.com/es-es/biztalk/adapters-host-overview.aspx

Regards,

M.R.Ashwin Prabhu

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Answer 3

M.R.Ashwin

It is VSAM mainframe so should I use Microsoft BizTalk Adapter for Host Files? Is that adapter provided with Biztalk 2010 adapter installation or do I have to download from a Microsoft website?

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Christiane

Answer 4

M.R.Ashwin

It is VSAM mainframe so should I use Microsoft BizTalk Adapter for Host Files? Is that adapter provided with Biztalk 2010 adapter installation or do I have to download from a Microsoft website?

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Christiane

This adapter is part of the Microsoft BizTalk Adapters for Host System 2010. These adapters are included in the Microsoft Host Integration Server 2010 package. You can download it from MSDN-Subscription Download

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/hh442898.aspx#searchTerm=Host%20IntegratioN&ProductFamilyId=0&Languages=en&ProductFamilyIds=510&PageSize=10&PageIndex=0&FileId=0

 

Installation guide:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=21849

Regards,

M.R.Ashwin Prabhu

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Answer 5

BizTalk Host Integration Server (HIS) allows you to connect to and execute mainframe programs and/or cics transactions. It's an add on piece from Microsoft that is fairly well supported.