Microsoft Interoperability Using MSMQ and Mule ESB

Message queues, such as MSMQ (Microsoft Message Queuing), enable communication among applications residing in separate systems and provide a temporary storage location for messages as they await optimal transmission conditions. MSMQ specifically is used for asynchronous messaging, allowing two or more applications to transmit messages in the absence of immediate results. Microsoft Message Queuing is ideal when dealing with isolated applications that do not necessarily rely on real-time interactions.

Certain use cases call for a queue to safely and efficiently hold messages that are sent or received, all the while guaranteeing message delivery. High performance and mission critical applications, such as those used by banking or e-commerce systems, depend on reliable message delivery even when some applications may not be available and online. Message queuing is also crucial when dealing with embedded devices such as hand-held industrial, military, commercial, and consumer apps. These hand-held apps permit communication in numerous cases, such as with order processing through numerous interfaces (web, mobile, phone, POS etc.). When an order is placed on one of the front-end interfaces, a message queue manages orders to ensure they are submitted even if one of the systems gets disconnected. On the backend, a message queue manages the orders until the OMS is ready to accept them (if, for example, it were to go down or is unable to communicate with a front-end interface).

A popular method to create connectivity between two or more processes is developing custom code. This technique requires experienced developers to create specific lines of code between two or more endpoints in order to create connectivity. This approach, also known as point-to-point integration, quickly becomes “spaghetti architecture” - a fragile and complicated tangled web of custom integration. Endpoints change quite frequently and making modifications to such an intertwined structure can be disastrous. Management of these custom integrations becomes complicated as the number of endpoints points increases in the enterprise. Moreover, because such an approach requires a talented team of developers, the process of searching and hiring new developers to continue managing custom code creates further complications.

Mule as an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) is a language agnostic platform that creates connectivity between applications, services, and processes to permit seamless communication. MuleSoft provides a library of Anypoint Connectors to help businesses create instant API connectivity with hundreds of popular applications and services. Businesses can leverage connectors to quickly and easily execute basic message queuing tasks such as creating, locating, and opening queues as well as sending and reading messages - all from a single platform.

Mule as an ESB is a lightweight, open source integration platform that allows organizations to reliably deliver messages painlessly and at a lower cost. With Mule as an ESB, businesses can utilize MSMQ for their messaging needs to allow reliable communication in even unreliable networks. Mule ESB enables over 1,600 organizations in more than 60 countries to build application networks that increase the clock speed of business. In comparison to its competitors, Mule Enterprise Service Bus, contained within Anypoint Platform, is capable of handling more transactions on the same or less hardware, ultimately minimizing costs.

With Mule as an ESB, integrating the MSMQ messaging protocol is simple. The enterprise service bus creates connectivity across the enterprise, guaranteeing reliable message delivery safely and securely. Additionally, Mule as an ESB offers a range of connectivity solutions to create interoperability to a number of .NET framework web services such as MS SQL, MS Dynamics, MS Sharepoint, and Active Directory. Learn more about Mule as an Enterprise Service Bus and the rest of Anypoint Platform's capabilities by contacting us today.