In this example I'm going to use the File system adapter to exchange data between BizTalk and Microsoft Dynamics AX. The best practice is to use the AIF BizTalk Adapter but for testing purposes it's easier (and faster) to use the File system or the Message Queuing adapter. You have to do some extra steps however because the Application Integration Framework (AIF) expects an envelope around every document. The AIF BizTalk Adapter does this automatically but when you use the File system or the Message Queuing adapter, you have to use an custom Pipeline.

First you have to import in Visual Studio the .XSD schemas of the AIF documents that you are going to work with.(In this example: SalesOrder schema and the envelope schema)

SalesOrder schema

Notice that in an orchestration you work with the AIF document that alters the Dynamics table. You don’t have to worry about the AIF envelope. In the Port Binding property you must select “specify later”. Now it’s possible to change the adapter at run time and select between the AIF BizTalk Adapter and the File system or the Message Queuing adapter.

Port properties

Create a send pipeline and drag a “XML assembler component on the “Assemble” shape. Next configure the “Envelope schemas” Property. Select here the AIF envelope schema. Select at the “Document schemas” Property the schema of the AIF document (in this case the SalesOrder schema)

Pipeline properties

Finally you have to configure the Send Port in the BizTalk Administration Console. Select “Properties” when you right click the Send Port. Subsequently configure the Send Pipeline property and select here the custom pipeline you just have created.

SendPort properties