We recently developed a business solution that required extensive data handling between multiple business applications separated by physical locations. Developing, testing, and managing solutions like this can be quite a challenge for solution architects, database administrators, and development teams.

In our case, the application had three primary business functions; processing online ecommerce transactions, integrating with large third-party data aggregators, and tight integration with existing third-party vertical business applications without system interruptions. The solution needed to be flexible in order to handle network outages, yet integrated enough to provide real-time pricing and availability information to the end-user.

For our customer’s project to be a success, the business data had to be kept current in two differently structured databases in different geographic locations, as well as with an external partner’s business service. While tools are available for synchronizing data between like databases within a secure network, an ideal solution for this specific need could not be found.

 

For future projects with similar complex needs, Microsoft now has a framework called the Sync Framework. Like other Microsoft frameworks, application blocks, and toolkits, such as the Workflow, Enterprise Library, Smart Client Software Factories, and Prism, Microsoft is building re-usable software frameworks and tools to accelerate common business solutions development. The Sync Framework is the latest software solutions development accelerator being tested by Microsoft.

The Sync Framework is described as, “a comprehensive platform that enables collaborating and offline access for applications, services, and devices for any data type, any data store, any transfer protocol, and any network topology.” All humbleness aside, this framework's strength is that data, no matter its format, can be synchronized across network/entity boundaries and kept current. For instance, if you have contracts that are stored on a network drive, but also need to be available to sales representatives online or offline, the Sync Framework can be configured to keep the data synchronized with very little overhead. Additionally the framework has capabilities for conditions that exist when the data updates are conflicted because of updates in two or more locations near simultaneously. The sync framework can be added to existing or new applications alike and can be expanded to handle just about any type of data you can imagine.

The Microsoft Sync Framework is in the final stages of the developer trials, called Community Technology Preview (CTP), and should be ready later this year. In an industry like ours, we should always be looking for upcoming tools that will increase productivity, reduce development efforts, and decrease the cost of maintaining applications.