Iona Technologies is offering technology to link Microsoft applications with systems from Oracle, IBM and others.

Key to the arrangement is the launch of Artix Connect for WCF (Windows Communication Foundation). The product extends connectivity with legacy applications from within the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment. Users can integrate Microsoft applications with platforms from BEA, IBM, Oracle, Tibco and CORBA applications.

Back-office legacy systems are wrapped behind WSDL interfaces. A .Net developer can connect with Java or CORBA without needing custom adapters or new code generation, Iona said.

"Microsoft's strategic commitment to interoperability and open software fits well with Iona's heritage of making software work together," said Eric Newcomer, CTO of Iona, in a statement released by the company. "Through these efforts, Microsoft is recognizing and helping Iona and others to deliver high-quality interoperability solutions for today's heterogeneous IT environments. Over the past 18 months, we have worked closely with Microsoft product management to ensure Artix Connect for WCF delivers the kind of seamless interoperability our customers require."

Artix Connect for WCF will ship in May, Iona said.