Abstract: A thick middleware adapter is presented that handles data related services within the adapter itself using generally reusable components connected in series. On the sending side of a communication, these components first convert the data from the native format of the application into raw XML. Next, the raw XML is transformed into the canonical XML defined by the enterprise using an XSLT stylesheet. The data is then validated and compressed, and then combined with a middleware message header. Another component in the adapter is the responsible for chunking, grouping, and encryption of the message, while a last component submits the completed message to the middleware transport layer. The components in a receiving adapter perform the opposite functions to convert the message received from the middleware transport layer into a message that is understood by the receiving application.