SQL Server Integration Services Reviews & Pricing

by Microsoft | Founded 1975, Albuquerque, NM

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What is SQL Server Integration Services?

Industry Specialties: Serves all industries

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a data integration tool built within Microsoft SQL Server. It excels at orchestrating data movement and transformation tasks between diverse sources and destinations, making it ideal for data warehousing, ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, and database management in Windows environments. Users praise its visual workflow editor, robust data transformation capabilities, and seamless integration with other Microsoft tools. Additionally, SSIS offers built-in security features and scalability for handling large datasets. However, its reliance on the Microsoft ecosystem, limited open-source compatibility, and potentially complex learning curve can be drawbacks. Pricing is part of the SQL Server license, ranging from affordable Express editions to more expensive Enterprise versions depending on user needs and server configurations. Overall, SSIS is a powerful and cost-effective option for organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft suite and primarily focused on Windows server environments. For those seeking open-source flexibility or broader platform compatibility, alternative data integration tools may be worth exploring.

Pros:

Visual workflow
Strong data transformations
Microsoft integration
Built-in security
Scalable for large volumes

Cons:

Windows only
Limited open source
Steep learning curve
Pricing with SQL Server
Closed-source ecosystem

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User Sentiment i

Based on 503 reviews:

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#8

SQL Server Integration Services is ranked #8 in the ETL Tools product directory based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub. Compare the leaders with our In-Depth Report.

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SQL Server Integration Services Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, SQL Server Integration Services pricing starts at $300 (Monthly).

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Starting From: $300
Pricing Model: Monthly
Free Trial: Yes, Request for Free

Training Resources

SQL Server Integration Services is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for SQL Server Integration Services:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
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24/7 Live Support

SQL Server Integration Services Benefits and Insights

Why use SQL Server Integration Services?

Key differentiators & advantages of SQL Server Integration Services

Maximize ROI: Performs complex transformations without needing a staging area. Persists data temporarily to a native raw format file using the file system.
Connect to Data Sources: Draws data from Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, Oracle, HP Vertica, MySQL, MongoDB and OData. Pull data from repositories that can’t be sourced directly like FTP, HTTP, MSMQ, Analysis Services and Server Management Objects (SMO).
Integrate with SAP Products: Natively accesses the application model and relevant metadata in SAP Business Suite offerings. Reads data based on programming languages such as ABAP, IDocs, BAPI, RFC and SAP extractors.
Extend As Needed: Write code to define connection objects, log providers, transforms and tasks.
Maintain Data Quality: Handles data from heterogeneous data sources within the same package. Monitor errors through a variety of logging and auditing options.

Industry Expertise

The vendor provides data integration to multiple clients in diverse industries across the world. Some of these are gas and electricity utilities, aviation, telecom, banks, automotive and financial services.

SQL Server Integration Services Reviews

Average customer reviews & user sentiment summary for SQL Server Integration Services:

503 reviews

84%

of users would recommend this product

SQL Server Integration Services has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 503 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of SQL Server Integration Services reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

Visual Workflow: Drag-and-drop interface simplifies complex data flows, making integration tasks intuitive and manageable, even for users without extensive coding experience.
Robust Data Transformations: Cleanses, transforms, and validates data to ensure accuracy and consistency before integration, improving data quality and trust in downstream analytics.
Microsoft Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft tools and platforms like SQL Server and Azure, streamlining data workflows within existing infrastructure and reducing the need for additional software.
Scalability and Performance: Handles large datasets efficiently with parallel processing and optimization techniques, minimizing processing time and ensuring smooth data integration for growing data volumes.
Built-in Security: Supports encryption, data masking, and role-based access controls for secure data handling and compliance with industry regulations, providing peace of mind and reducing security risks.

Cons

Limited Open Source: Relies heavily on Microsoft technologies and lacks extensive open-source integrations, potentially restricting customization and community support compared to more open platforms.
Steep Learning Curve: While the visual interface is helpful, mastering complex data flows and transformations can require significant training and experience, especially for users unfamiliar with the platform.
Windows Only: Limited to Windows environments, excluding non-Microsoft operating systems like Linux or macOS, hindering platform flexibility and potentially requiring additional infrastructure investment.
Closed-Source Ecosystem: Limited transparency into internal algorithms and processes can make troubleshooting and debugging complex issues challenging, requiring specialized knowledge or relying on Microsoft support.
Cost Tied to SQL Server: Pricing depends on the chosen SQL Server edition, potentially increasing costs for organizations already invested in other database solutions or needing only basic data integration functionalities.

Researcher's Summary:

User reviews of SQL Server Integration Services paint a contrasting picture. Proponents praise its intuitive visual workflow, robust data transformation capabilities, and seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. This makes it ideal for organizations already invested in Microsoft tools and requiring efficient data movement within Windows environments. The built-in security features and scalability for handling large datasets are further pluses, offering peace of mind and ensuring smooth performance for growing data volumes. However, critics point to its heavy reliance on Microsoft technologies and limited open-source compatibility as major drawbacks. This can restrict customization and community support compared to more open platforms like Talend or Apache Airflow. The steep learning curve and Windows-only limitation can also be hurdles, requiring dedicated training and potentially hindering platform flexibility. Additionally, the closed-source nature can make troubleshooting complex issues challenging. Finally, pricing tied to SQL Server editions may not be cost-effective for organizations needing only basic data integration functionalities or using other database solutions. Ultimately, SQL Server Integration Services shines for its robust data handling, intuitiveness, and Microsoft integration within Windows environments. However, its limited open-source compatibility, steep learning curve, and reliance on SQL Server licensing make it less ideal for organizations seeking greater flexibility, affordability, or platform independence. Carefully weighing your specific needs and resources against its strengths and limitations is crucial before choosing SSIS for your data integration needs.

Key Features

Big Data Support: Connects to new, in-demand big data sources like databases, systems, files and unstructured content. Access mainframe sources and captured data changes in real time. Expand cloud support for big data with Microsoft Azure, Impala, Cassandra, OData and Apache Hive.
Import/Export Wizard: Move data from a variety of source types to disparate destination types, including text files and other SQL Server instances. Create packages that move data across systems seamlessly, without transformations.
Build Integration Packages: Create and maintain integration packages through the SSIS Designer. Deploy the package and view the execution status at run time. Add functionality to packages through dialog boxes and windows. Configure the development environment through SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).
Built-in Data Transformations: Provides aggregation, pivot, unpivot, cache transform, fuzzy lookup, data conversion, data mining query and partition processing. Leverage a wide range of transform capabilities like fuzzy logic, data profiling, data and text mining and direct insert to SSAS.
Secure Business Data: Provides threat and vulnerability mitigation, and access control. Sign packages with digital certificates that ensure customers open and run packages only from trusted sources.
Precedence Constraints: Control task runs by defining precedence constraints. Connect tasks to control the workflow and configure to work based on an SSIS expression or the status of the preceding job.

Approach to Common Challenges

Data Heterogeneity: SSIS connects to a wide array of data sources, including databases, flat files, XML, and cloud services, using pre-built connectors and custom adapters. It supports various data formats and encodings, enabling seamless integration from diverse sources.
Data Quality Issues: SSIS offers data cleansing and transformation tasks for handling missing values, inconsistencies, and formatting errors. Built-in validation rules and data profiling tools help ensure data accuracy and consistency.
Complex Data Flows: The visual drag-and-drop interface simplifies designing complex data flows with branching, loops, and error handling. Tasks can be grouped and organized for modularity and reusability, making intricate workflows easier to manage.
Performance Optimization: SSIS leverages parallel processing, data partitioning, and caching techniques to optimize performance for large datasets. Built-in logging and monitoring tools help identify bottlenecks and troubleshoot performance issues.
Data Security and Compliance: SSIS supports encryption, data masking, and role-based access controls for protecting sensitive information. It integrates with enterprise security frameworks and helps organizations meet compliance requirements.

Cost of Ownership

Frequently asked questions regarding SQL Server Integration Services pricing include:

Is SSIS included in all SQL Server editions?
A: No, SSIS is only available in Standard and Enterprise editions of SQL Server. Express editions lack data integration capabilities. Choosing the right edition depends on your data volume and integration needs.
Does SSIS require additional licensing costs?
A: Typically, no. SSIS functionality is embedded within the SQL Server license cost. However, advanced features like Integration Services Runtime for Azure require separate licensing within Azure subscriptions.
What are the cost considerations for migrating to cloud-based SSIS?
A: While Azure Integration Services offers SSIS capabilities in the cloud, migrating existing workflows may require additional development and potential licensing adjustments. Evaluate the complexity of your migration and potential workload scaling needs before moving to the cloud.