How does ApplicationInterchangeId enable end-to-end correlation?
ApplicationInterchangeId is a correlation identifier that tracks business transactions across multiple systems, platforms, and integration hops—enabling end-to-end visibility from order entry to fulfillment regardless of technology boundaries.
The Problem Without Correlation IDs
Without ApplicationInterchangeId:
- ❌ Order 12345 enters via webMethods → logs show "MessageId: wm-abc123"
- ❌ Custom API processes order → logs show "RequestId: req-98765"
- ❌ IBM Sterling ships order → logs show "TransmissionId: ib-xyz789"
- ❌ No way to connect these 3 log entries—troubleshooting requires manually correlating timestamps, Order Numbers, Customer IDs across 3 separate log systems
Troubleshooting time: 2-3 hours hunting across platforms.
The Solution: ApplicationInterchangeId
With ApplicationInterchangeId:
- ✅ Order 12345 enters via webMethods → logs
ApplicationInterchangeId: "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000" - ✅ Custom API processes order → logs same
ApplicationInterchangeId: "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000" - ✅ IBM Sterling ships order → logs same
ApplicationInterchangeId: "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000" - ✅ Nodinite correlates automatically—search for correlation ID, see all 3 systems' logs in unified timeline
Troubleshooting time: 30 seconds—search once, see entire transaction journey.
How to Implement ApplicationInterchangeId
1. Generate Correlation ID at Entry Point
When transaction enters your integration landscape, generate a unique correlation ID:
// .NET example
string correlationId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
// Result: "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000"
// Java example
String correlationId = UUID.randomUUID().toString();
# Python example
import uuid
correlation_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
2. Include in JSON Log Event
Set ApplicationInterchangeId field in every JSON Log Event:
{
"LogAgentValueId": 42,
"EndPointName": "webMethods - Receive Order",
"OriginalMessageTypeName": "PurchaseOrder#1.0",
"ApplicationInterchangeId": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
"LogMessage": "Order received from customer",
"Body": "<Order><OrderId>12345</OrderId>...</Order>"
}
3. Propagate Across Systems
Pass correlation ID to downstream systems:
- HTTP headers:
X-Correlation-ID: 550e8400-... - Message properties: JMS headers, Azure Service Bus user properties, RabbitMQ headers
- Message body: Include in XML/JSON payload:
<CorrelationId>550e8400-...</CorrelationId>
Each system logs with same ApplicationInterchangeId:
// Custom API logs
{
"ApplicationInterchangeId": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
"EndPointName": "Custom API - Process Order",
"LogMessage": "Order validated, calling IBM Sterling"
}
// IBM Sterling logs
{
"ApplicationInterchangeId": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
"EndPointName": "IBM Sterling - Ship Order",
"LogMessage": "Shipment created, tracking number 1Z999..."
}
End-to-End Visualization with BPM
Business Process Modeling (BPM) uses ApplicationInterchangeId to visualize transaction flows:
- Define BPM process - "Order to Cash": webMethods → Custom API → IBM Sterling → SAP
- Configure Message Types - Map "PurchaseOrder#1.0" → "OrderConfirmation#1.0" → "Shipment#1.0" → "Invoice#1.0"
- Nodinite correlates automatically - Groups logs by ApplicationInterchangeId, displays graphical timeline
Result: Visual flow diagram showing Order 12345's journey across 4 systems with timestamps, status, delays.
Real-World Example
Healthcare company: Patient claim flows through 8 platforms:
- webMethods receives EDI 837 claim → generates
ApplicationInterchangeId - Custom .NET service validates claim → logs with same ApplicationInterchangeId
- Apache Camel routes to payer API → logs with same ApplicationInterchangeId
- MuleSoft transforms response → logs with same ApplicationInterchangeId
- ... (4 more hops)
Without correlation: 2-3 hours manually matching timestamps, claim IDs across 8 log systems
With ApplicationInterchangeId: 90 seconds—search correlation ID once, see entire claim lifecycle
95% faster troubleshooting.
Best Practices
- ✅ Generate at entry point - First system creates correlation ID, propagates downstream
- ✅ Use UUID/GUID format - Universally unique, no collisions:
550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 - ✅ Propagate via headers AND body - Redundancy ensures reliability if headers stripped
- ✅ Log at every hop - Every system writes JSON Log Event with ApplicationInterchangeId
- ✅ Include in error messages - When errors occur, correlation ID enables instant troubleshooting
- ⚠️ Never reuse correlation IDs - Each transaction gets unique ID
Related Topics:
Business Process Modeling (BPM)
JSON Log Event Format
Message Types for BPM
See all FAQs: Troubleshooting Overview
Next Step
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