Item: SQL Server Integration Services
Rating: 9
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use SQL Server Integration Services to import data into and out of our main SQL server databases. This data comes from a variety of external sources and sometimes there is data format mismatch between source and destination. With an SSIS package, we can retain the mapping and data formats integrity from the source to the destination without having to go through the process every time.

Pros and Cons

Easy to manage projects and packages.
Ideal for repetitive tasks.
Can handle complex tasks consisting of multiple, diverse packages.

Include SSIS in the default installation of SQL.
The flexibility and different packages and options can make it confusing for first-time users.
Recommendations in the selections could make it easier to build a solution.

Return on Investment

Positive - easier to manage and maintain data imports and maintain consistency over time.
Positive - reusable projects reduces time for repetitive tasks.
Negative - learning curve. Variety and flexibility of possible solutions can be overwhelming.

Alternatives Considered

We selected SSIS as it came part of our standard SQL license. We did not evaluate any other solutions as SSIS has met all our needs.

Support Rating

We were able to find answers to all our questions within MS KB articles and the larger online community. We have not run into any situation yet where we have had to seek specialized (paid) support, possibly because our business cases have not been very complicated. All the tools we needed to manage and use SSIS were included within SQL server installation media or freely available online.

Key Insights

Do you think SQL Server Integration Services delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with SQL Server Integration Services's feature set?

Yes

Did SQL Server Integration Services live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of SQL Server Integration Services go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy SQL Server Integration Services again?

Yes

Other Software Used

DBrow - Smart Database Browser

Likelihood to Recommend

Well suited and designed to enable flexible data extract and transformation to and from an SQL server. It works very well for repetitive tasks and it is easy to manage (and change) packages once built. The use of templates makes the initial startup process simpler.

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is not easy for new users due to the plethora of options available.

Our use of SSIS

Overall Satisfaction with SQL Server Integration Services