SSIS- Mundane but Dependable
June 03, 2016
SSIS- Mundane but Dependable
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with SQL Server Integration Services
SSIS is utilized as a systems and data integration tool, and for performing a variety of ETL tasks. It is utilized by the IT department to support business applications, particularly where two or more systems require data exchange. It is a mature product (stable and reliable) and comes as part of standard SQL Server implementations so its fairly simple to utilize.
- SSIS Integrates very well with other Microsoft products including Excel and Access. Other ETL tools may have a difficult time integrating with Access, so we have observed SSIS to be superior in this regard.
- SSIS has the capacity to do a fast bulk load (BCP) with transformations, within the bulk load itself. This feature is not available when utilizing the BCP utility outside of SSIS or from other ETL tools. To be clear, the transformation is occurring within the BCP component itself. Other ETL tools will have to utilize a non-BCP load (slower) or do the ETL after the load. This is a great feature I have not seen replicated in other tools.
- SSIS integrates seamlessly with SQL Server RDBMS, including SQL Jobs and Stored Procedures.
- SSIS has nice support, tools, and wizards for fixed length file processing.
- SSIS IDE (SQL BIDS) is lacking, particularly when compared to Visual Studio for .NET development. It was carried over (at least in look and feel) from the legacy DTS tool. It could use a complete redesign from scratch. Considering how superior the VS .NET IDE is, the inferior SSIS BIDS IDE is unacceptable.
- SSIS is very Microsoft centric. This is a strength when dealing with pure MS technologies, but becomes a weakness when dealing with disparate, distributed systems, including cloud computing. Other ETL tools for example easily integrate with everything from AWS to Google Drive to Sales Force.
- SSIS deployment model is clunky and non-intuitive.
- SSIS comes with standard SQL Server implementations, so it does not cost extra to utilize. On the other hand, its inflexibility makes it inferior to some other leading ETL tools. Investments into tools other than SSIS must be weighed against the pricing model for shops already using SQL Server.
SSIS has these advantages: simple integration with MS technologies including Access, Excel, SQL RDBMS, Job Scheduler, and is included with SQL Server.
Talend has these advantages: much quicker development time, 800+ built in components which provides off the shelf integration with dozens of modern systems, much better IDE, much more flexible development and deployment. To summarize, SSIS is a mundane and plodding, but dependable work horse, while Talend is a Porsche, an exciting and forward looking machine.
Talend has these advantages: much quicker development time, 800+ built in components which provides off the shelf integration with dozens of modern systems, much better IDE, much more flexible development and deployment. To summarize, SSIS is a mundane and plodding, but dependable work horse, while Talend is a Porsche, an exciting and forward looking machine.