Wiley Expert SQL Server 2005 Integration Services 978-0-470-13411-5 Manuale Utente

Getting Started

This book is about applications. Specifically, this book is about applying the functionality of SQL
Server 2005 Integration Services (SSIS) to help you envision, develop, and implement your data
processing needs. The discussions throughout the book spotlight how SSIS can help you accom-
plish your data integration and processing requirements.

Core to the data processing that SSIS does best is extraction, transformation, and loading 
(ETL). Over the years, this ETL has taken on a range of different meanings, from the general 
perspective of moving data from somewhere to somewhere else, to the specific application of
data warehousing ETL. In fact, ETL has its roots in business intelligence (BI) and data warehouse
processing.

This chapter provides important background information for generalized ETL that DBAs will
need, as well as basic data warehousing ETL concepts. In addition, this chapter includes a practical
review of SSIS functionality and provides the foundation for building the book’s examination of
applying the functionality of SSIS to help you accomplish your individual goals in data integration
and processing requirements.

Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

If you have any inclination toward home remodeling, chances are you enjoy walking through the
tools area of your local home improvement store. Hundreds of different tools have been manufac-
tured that perform a variety of functions and, in some cases, some fairly esoteric uses.

Any novice handyman can attest to the adage that the right tool for the job makes the job easier.
The same concept applies when it comes to handling data. There’s no doubt that, depending on

04_134115 ch01.qxp  4/24/07  6:40 PM  Page 1