Apress - Pro SQL Server 2005 Integration Services

Working on SQL Server Integration Services was, for me, a joy. We had a team of smart people, cool technology that solved real problems, and great customers who often had those very problems by the dozen, and were keen for Microsoft to solve them. And then there were our users: the developers and consultants and database administrators and architects who stretched Integration Services to its limits—and beyond—in many beta tests and production situations.

These users often took the product into areas that were not only technically demanding, but frankly fascinating in their own right. These advanced users learned a great deal, and it has been a real pleasure to see them passing on their knowledge to others. The social network of Integration Services users is one of the product’s greatest strengths.

When I look over these challenging and compelling scenarios, Jim Wightman’s name has got to come to mind. Is there anyone else out there using SSIS to work on the aerodynamics of sports cars, or the sources of terrorist finance, or cell-phone fraud? But glamorous as it sounds, I think Jim’s work is similar to the daily tasks you face with your data warehouses and line-ofbusiness systems. He describes himself as chief architect and bottle washer, and I’m sure in this book you’ll find much good advice on the high architectural and lowly bottle-washing aspects of working with SQL Server Integration Services.