The pattern language presented in the book consists of 65 patterns structured into 9 categories, which largely follow the flow of a message from one system to the next through channels, routing, and transformations.

The book includes an icon-based pattern language, sometimes nicknamed "GregorGrams" after one of the authors.

Excerpts from the book (short pattern descriptions) are available on the supporting website (see External links).

In 2015, the two book authors reunited—for the first time since the publication of the book—for a retrospective and interview in IEEE Software.

Notable implementations include Spring Integration, Apache Camel, Red Hat Fuse, Mule ESB and Guaraná DSL.