The beta version of BizTalk Server 2009 has been released on the Microsoft Connect Site

Primarily, the new features include:

• Web service registry capabilities with support for UDDI (Universal Description Discovery and Integration) Version 3.0
• Support of current Microsoft Platform Technologies (.NET Framework 3.5 SP1; Visual Studio 2008 SP1; Windows Server 2008 and Windows 2008’s Hyper-V Virtualization and Windows 2008’s multi-site failover clustering; and SQL Server 2008)
• RFID support for key industry standards (including LLRP, TDT, TDS, WS Discovery and partial EPCIS support)
• Enhanced service enablement of “edge” devices through BizTalk RFID Mobile
• Enhanced service enablement of applications (through new and enhanced adapters for LOB applications, databases, and legacy/host systems)
• Enhanced interoperability and connectivity support for industry protocols (like SWIFT, EDI, AS2 etc)
• Developer productivity enhancements (support for Team Foundation Server, debugging support for BizTalk Maps (XSLT), pipeline components and XLANG Orchestrations, and enables support for unit testing via Visual Studio Test)
• SOA patterns and best practices guidance to assist our customer’s implementations (ESB guidance)

RTM of the final product is expected during the 1st half of 2009. The Roadmap for BizTalk is available here.