People often ask me for tips on getting started with SSIS. My advice is always the same: Get a copy of SQL Server Developer Edition. At the time of this writing, the current version of SQL Server is SQL Server 2014. If you work in an organization that uses SQL Server, you may be able to obtain a copy of SQL Server 2014 Developer Edition from your organization. If not, I highly recommend purchasing your own copy.
SQL Server 2014 Developer Edition is available at Amazon.com for about $50 USD. Developer Edition has all the features of Enterprise Edition, only the End User License Agreement is different – you cannot use Developer Edition to operate a Production instance.
You can begin using SQL Server 2014 for free by downloading the 180-day Evaluation Edition.
Once you have an edition of SQL Server installed, you will need SQL Server Data Tools – Business Intelligence (SSDT-BI) to develop SSIS packages. SSDT-BI is no longer included with the SQL Server installation media. The current version at the time of this writing is SSDT-BI 2013 and you can download it here.
Once the relational engine and development tools are installed, you are ready to begin working with SSIS!
Learn more:
Watch the video!
Linchpin People Blog: SSIS
Stairway to Integration Services
Test your knowledge
:{>
Comments