Integration Services Fundamentals

by Stacia Misner Varga

This course is for business intelligence developers and database professionals responsible for moving, manipulating, and integrating data and assumes no prior experience with Integration Services

What you'll learn

This course explains how to develop SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages with an emphasis on the development of processes that support data warehousing.

It begins by describing the overall process of package development, then describes the types of tasks that Integration Services can perform and shows how these tasks can be performed sequentially or in parallel in the control flow by using precedence constraints.

Then the tutorial continues by reviewing the data flow components that are used for extract, transform, and load processes. In addition, the course covers the Integration Services expression language and scripting, and demonstrates how to:

  • Debug packages
  • Configure logging
  • Manage transactions
  • Manage package restarts
It also describes how to automate the execution of packages.

The features and demonstrations in this SSIS training focus on the SQL Server 2008 R2 release, although most topics also apply to earlier versions of Integration Services.

Table of contents

Introduction to Integration Services
32mins
Control Flow Basics
34mins
Control Flow Tasks
58mins
Data Flow Basics
50mins
Data Flow Transformations
73mins
Expressions
47mins
Scripts
24mins
Debugging SSIS Packages
33mins
Package Reliability
48mins
Package Execution
24mins

Course FAQ

Why do we use SSIS?

We use SSIS mostly for data warehousing purposes. It is very effective for data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL). SSIS can also help automate SQL Server database maintenance, update data, and other useful functions.

What will I learn in this SSIS tutorial?

You will learn:

  • how to develop Integration Services packages
  • data warehousing
  • how to use precedence constraints
  • how to extract, transform, and load processes
  • Integration Services expression language and scripting
  • how to debug packages
  • how to automate package execution
  • and much more
What version of software do I need?

This course and its concepts are based on the SQL Server 2008 R2 release, but most of the topics can apply to earlier or newer versions as well.

Are there prerequisites to this course?

Nope! This course is for beginners and assumes no previous training or exposure to SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). The course is, however, intended for database professionals and/or business intelligence developers or those aspiring to be such. If you feel you are already beyond the basics, then check out this advanced SSIS tutorial.

Is SSIS free with SQL Server?

When you purchase a SQL Server license, a free SQL Server Integration Services license is included. If you don't have a SQL Server license then pricing ranges quite a bit depending on if you use Express and Developer editions, or Enterprise.

Is SSIS worth learning?

It may be a bit difficult, and some things that seem simple are not always so, but yes, it is worth learning! Especially if you are building complicated ETL packages across different systems, and/or if you work in a Microsoft shop.

About the author

Stacia Misner Varga

Stacia Misner Varga is an instructor, author, and principal consultant of Data Inspirations. Her career spans more than 30 years, with a focus on improving business practices through technology. Since 2000, she has provided consulting and education services for Microsoft’s data platform and authored or co-authored many books covering this topic. In addition, Stacia has been a frequent speaker over the years at technology conferences worldwide.

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