Tour Around SSIS

What to expect from this essay?

Beginner: You get a free ride to SSIS
Others: Get to debug the article!!

So let’s get started…

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a Data Integration tool; it comes bundled with SQL Server. And is the successor of DTS (Data Transformation Services).

After the Installation of SQL Server you need to do the usual ritual

Start -> Programs -> Microsoft SQL Server -> SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS). File ->New Project (Choose Integration Services Project) from the dialog box that pops up.

Name it and save it in the desired location.

First Look:

For Minds acquainted with Visual Studio, SSIS would be the very same, for the rest here’s what you’d get to see…





On the left hand side

1) Tool Box
This guy is our palette wherein, all our components (which enable us to create an SSIS Package) are present.

2) Variables Window
All system and user defined variables are housed here. The users can add and delete variables. The window is not showcased in the above fig., we need to click the Variables tab.

On the right hand side

3) Properties Window
This window contains all properties pertaining to the component chosen. This is very similar to what is seen in the Visual Basic IDE!

4) Solution Explorer Window
Helps the developer to navigate and manage his/her solution. The definition goes like: a solution can contain many projects which in turn is comprised of one or more SSIS packages!

At the bottom

5) Connection Managers Area
All the connection managers to various source and destination would be housed in this area.


In the middle are

6) Control Flow Area
Where in all task/components (found in Toolbox) that aid in the movement of data from the Source to the destination. This pretty much serves likes a Work Flow

7) Data Flow Tab
Contains the components (found in Toolbox) to connect to the source, destination, define mappings, transformation etc., the gate way to this tab is the Data Flow Task from the Control Flow area.

8) Event Handler Tab
Helps user to perform tasks during specific events viz, OnError, PostExecute etc.,

Congrats!! You now are on your way to develop your hello world project. :)