In this second special episode of Integration.Insights, we continue the conversation on modern integration strategies with Kent Weare (Microsoft), Sagar Sharma (i8c NL), and Jochen Toelen (Integration.team). What does it really take to shift from on-prem to hybrid or cloud-native integration? How do you keep control, stay compliant, and leverage Microsoft’s evolving ecosystem? Our guests unpack the real-world impact of Azure Arc, AI-powered workflows, and migration paths from BizTalk to Azure Integration Services. 🎧 Whether you're leading strategy or working hands-on in the field, this episode offers a fresh perspective on building resilient, future-ready integration landscapes.

In the first of two extra episodes of the Integration.Insights podcast, we’re joined by Kent Weare (Principal PM at Microsoft), Sagar Sharma (Solution Architect at i8c NL), and Jochen Toelen (Managing Partner at Integration.team). They’re engaging in an in-depth conversation about the future of integration in a cloud-first world.   Together, they explore the strategic drivers behind cloud adoption, what companies need to consider when moving from on-prem to hybrid or cloud-native architectures, and the common migration paths from BizTalk to Azure Integration Services.   They also dive into Microsoft’s latest tools and best practices, including hybrid deployment with Azure Arc, tracking at scale, and AI-powered integration workflows. The discussion touches on critical topics like compliance with EU regulations (including GDPR), the evolving role of integration teams, and Microsoft’s long-term vision for hybrid enterprise integration.   Whether you're an architect, developer, or tech leader, this episode is packed with insights to help future-proof your integration strategy.

👥 Featuring Bart Scheurweghs and Matthias De Scheerder Introduction to Observability: Exploring what observability means beyond traditional logging and monitoring. Importance of Data Management: Discussing the handling of user data and sensitive information, particularly in light of GDPR legislation. Technical Challenges: Addressing the challenges and technical aspects of implementing observability in integration systems. Future Trends: Highlighting the evolving nature of observability and its role in enhancing integration solutions.

👥 Featuring Jochen Thoelen and Jochim Vandooren Effective Alert Management: Ensuring alerts reach the right people to prevent production system impacts. Introduction to Managed Services: Discussing the role and importance of managed services in integration environments. Project Insights: Sharing experiences from various managed services projects. Future of Managed Services: Our view on trends and future directions in managed services within integration.

👥 Featuring Bart Scheurweghs and Hannelore Peeters. Impact of the War on Drugs on Antwerp’s Logistics: Explore how recent measures have reshaped logistics operations in the port of Antwerp. Key Integration Challenges in Logistics: Insights into the specific hurdles faced in integrating complex logistics systems. Expert Experiences: Stories and lessons from Bart and Hannelore’s careers in logistics and integration. Future Trends in Logistics Integration: Predictions and discussions on how integration technologies will evolve in the logistics sector.

👥 Featuring Steven Van Eycken and Jochen Toelen Importance of Governance: The necessity of proper governance when deploying Azure Integration Services. Challenges of Lack of Governance: Discussing common issues that arise when governance is not established from the beginning. Security and Financial Operations (FinOps): Highlighting the role of governance in ensuring security and managing costs effectively. Management of Multiple Services: The complexities involved in monitoring and managing various integrated services within Azure. Infrastructure as Code Approach: The move towards automating infrastructure management to enhance governance and efficiency.

👥 Featuring Nathan Moerman  and Jochen Toelen Challenges of Migrating to Azure: The limitations and changes encountered when moving from BizTalk to Azure environments. Security Concerns: Addressing issues such as IP firewall rules and the shift to IP ranges instead of fixed IP addresses. Introduction of Experts: Featuring Nathan, a senior integration architect, sharing his experiences and insights. Problem-Solving in Migration: Discussing solutions for various problems encountered during the migration process. Importance of Planning: Emphasizing the need for thorough planning and understanding the implications of migrating to cloud services.

👥 Featuring Steven Vaneycken  and Jochen Toelen Let us introduce you to the Integration.Insights podcast! What you can expect from this introduction: Our hosts: Meet our hosts with extensive experience in integration. The podcast: Why are we publishing this podcast? And what can you expect from it? The future: a sneak peek of our future episodes with customer and Microsoft insights.