Implementing B2B contracts using BizTalk

We describe our work in implementing business-to-business (B2B) contracts using Microsoft´s BizTalk. BizTalk is a Microsoft product for the development of XML based document messaging systems specifically for e-commerce. We have developed a B2B enterprise model that supports a wide range of economic transactions associated with intangible goods and services. This model guides implementation of our business contract architecture software. The model identifies specific roles such as a repository for contract schemas and instances, auditor, monitor and enforcer. A contract scenario is used to illustrate the architecture and concepts described. We go into detail on the BizTalk implementation of contracts and show how a contract can be used as the basis for policies and plans that govern the behavior of the parties involved in the contract.