The Major Differences between BizTalk Data Integration and K3 ETL and Data Prep
Is your organization considering an ETL solution for its data needs? Here is a high-level comparison of the Microsoft BizTalk and K3 ETL platforms to determine which option is a better fit.
- Ease of use: BizTalk requires expert-level coding knowledge; K3 visualizes and normalizes data with no coding required.
- Scalability: BizTalk is challenging to scale due to its high-code environment and difficulty to troubleshoot; K3 offers a low-code environment with one price.
- Data integration: BizTalk is a capable message bus, but has limited ETL functionality; K3 ETL can drive data to virtually any endpoint.
- Data management: BizTalk is focused on XML validations; K3 ETL can ingest thousands of files across different file types and formats.
- Sustainability: Every indicator suggests Microsoft is close to sunsetting BizTalk; K3 ETL understands difficult enterprise systems using a low-code, high-supported environment.
THE BIG TAKEAWAY
- Biztalk is a high-c0de environment that is difficult to scale and troubleshoot.
- BizTalk is a capable message bus, but lacks ETL functionality.
- BizTalk is on its way to being sunset by Microsoft.
BizTalk and K3 Overview
Microsoft BizTalk and Data Integration Solutions use the integration capabilities of Azure BizTalk Services and Service Bus. BizTalk is designed to extend on-premises applications to the cloud, process and transform messages, use business-to-business messaging, and enable hybrid integration with applications in the cloud and on-premises.
K3 Enterprise is a low-code integration application with 100+ API adapters and connectors. It is a ready-to-go-solution that eliminates the headache of a high-code environment. K3 ETL doesn’t require an army of IT professionals enablign your IT team to focus on higher value tasks. It’s built to handle legacy archetypal data forms, non-conforming data sources and also features K3 data prep and K3 data load functionalities. With K3 ETL, you can visualize your data, map it and then flow it to files, APIs, databases, data warehouses, and data lakes like Redshift or Snowflake.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at how BizTalk ETL and K3 ETL compare side-by-side.
FEATURE COMPARISON OF BIZTALK V/S K3
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_Logo_forlightbackground_72ppi.png)
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_Logo_forlightbackground_72ppi.png)
![MS BizTalk Server logo](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-microsoft-biztalk-server.png)
Data Deployment
Hosted Cloud Deployment
Yes
Yes
Private Cloud Deployment
Yes
Yes
On Premise Deployment
Yes
Yes
Data Stays Private Guarantee
Yes
Yes
Scalability
No Per User Charges
Yes
No
Database CDC Connections (see databases)
Yes
No
SaaS Connections (see connectors)
Yes
No
Multiple Formats (XML, JSON, EDI, etc.)
Yes
Yes
Features Comparison
Data Rules Engines
Yes
No
Low Code Data Route Configuration
Yes
No
Low Code ETL
Yes
No
Data Orchestration
Yes
No
Low Learning Curve
Yes
No
Audit Trail
Yes
No
Test/Prod accounts included
Yes
No
CAPABILITIES AND FUNCTIONAL COMPARISON IN-DEPTH LOOK
K3
BizTalk
EASE OF USE
K3 ETL requires no coding or programming expertise. Wherever you’re flowing data, it is an intuitive, out-of-the-box solution. K3 ETL also seamlessly connects with legacy and heritage applications through off-the-shelf adapters enabled by our delta/CDC adapters.
BizTalk is a high-code environment that requires extensive training for users to successfully operate the platform.
SCALABILITY
K3 ETL is optimized for scalability, and the low-code environment makes it accessible to non-technical users and experienced developers alike. With K3, you get one solution with one price.
BizTalk is not easily scalable since it is high-code and difficult to troubleshoot. It can also be expensive for large enterprises.
DATA INTEGRATION
K3 requires no API development, but rather has over 100 pre-built connectors for upstream and downstream data needs, a visual data mapping, and a low-code data rules engine that streamlines all of these custom development steps away.
DATA MANAGEMENT
K3 ETL ingests thousands of files across different file types and formats such as JSON, custom XML and comma-delimited. K3 also enables intuitive, code-free transformation through a mapping and rules engine.
BizTalk is focused on XML validations and does not have the ability to ingest different file types.
SUSTAINABILITY
K3 ETL understands difficult enterprise systems using a low-code, high-supported environment. It places less burden on your IT team by ensuring technical tasks can be performed by non-technical people.
BizTalk is not a main focus for Microsoft. Indicators suggest it will sunset the platform and offer users an Azure BizTalk integration option, which is already available.
K3 IS BEST FOR EASE OF USE, ETL FUNCTIONALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_demo_mockup-1.jpg)
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_demo_mockup-1.jpg)