Customer Reviews

Hands-On Microsoft SQL Server™ 2005 Integration Services

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Bought this book because it looked like it covered all the topics I needed to finish a project I was working on, but so far have yet to actually find an answer to a single question. This is one of those books that seem to plague the technical genre: it "alludes" to a particular topic, but never actually goes in-depth on anything.

Simply listing all the options available on a screen, while taking up lots of pages and creating an entry in the table of contents, doesn't make for a useful book. The examples provided were so superficial, I've got to wonder whether the author has actually done anything more than played with the software.

This one goes on the bookshelf with all the other "never to be picked up again" books. Too bad they're only of value to the paper recyclers.

The title for this book is true, it is Hands-On. Some books just rehash the SQL Books Online but this one provides tons of hands on excercises. Here are just a few.
Importing a Flat File into SQL Server 2005
Using System Variables to Create Custom Logs
Using Expressions to Update Properties at Run-time
Contacting Opportunities (Includes steps necessary for enabling SMTP from a package)
Removing Duplicate Email Addresses
Consolidating Workflow Packages
Reading the Application Log
Managing Storage of Integration Services Package
Using dtutil
Running an SSIS Package Using the Package Execution Utility
Understanding Package Protection Levels

Beyond the Hands On Exercises the book also is based around a database other than the standard Northwind, pubs or AdventureWorks databases for a little variety. Finally the book covers deployment of your Integration Services Packages and also how to migrate from SQL Server 2000 Data Transformation Services.

This book helped me get started with SSIS...figure out some basic stuff. But it left me hanging on the details, best practices, integration with applications, etc. It basically walks you through building a bunch of thin-functionality examples of the various components.

If the book re-described itself as a getting-started book, I'd give it high praise and more stars...but the phrases "in depth", "learn to maximize", "extensive", etc, should have been omitted from the book description.

I found this book a very good learning guide with so many exercises covering
most of the tasks and components. The book is easy to read and understand.
The exercises I liked most are on the de-duplicating records, deploying SSIS
packages using configurations and loading a data warehouse using SCD. Ideal
first book to start learning SSIS as it cuts learning curve drastically.

Hi All,

I bought this book because i need to implement my project in SSIS.This book is good for on Job reference , for Beginners and For who has exposure to DTS 2000.I learned and implemented my projected with no time.I recommend this book for those who want to Know about SSIS Quickly.

Thanks,
Madhu

There is no question that the title should clearly indicate that this is a book for those new to SSIS. (And considering SSIS is such a quantum leap from DTS, there are MANY folks at that stage).

However, the book deserves 4-5 stars for what it provides. Giving the book 1-star, because of the title, detracts from the true value of the book. There aren't many books that contain full hands-on exercises. If someone is fairly new to SSIS, THIS is the book to get.

This is the closest I've seen to an exercise-driven training manual, in commercial trade paperback form. There are a series of 8-10 page walk-throughs on such topics as aggregation, processing dupes, loading SCDs, pivoting source data, ADO enumerators, etc.

In my opinion, the entire Database Professional Series from Osborn McGraw Hill is very strong.

If someone already knows the fundamentals of SSIS and wants to go to the next level, get the Wrox Expert SSIS book.

Kevin

I love relying on those "Step by step" books to help me pick up the craft quickly. ended up buying this book because "step by step" books on SSIS was far and few in between. Unfortunately the author has very bad commucation skills, which are clearly shown in his tendancy of using LONG SENTENCES that do not resemble natural language used day to day. On top of that, he often "talks to himself" without seeing it from readers' point of view. For example, Page 481 ".... 13. Open the command window, go to .....", now is that command window within BIDS, or within SQL management studio, or under window o/s ? do yourself a favour , try "24 hour trainer" instead, if/when you upgrade SSIS for SQL Server 2008 !

Worth having in your library but you must be interested in SSIS to fully understand this book.....The only drawback to this is while using the author supplied db, you understand but gotta think beyond when trying to fully integrate the concepts into your own personal dealings...but this makes it ALOT less painful....

This book chapter by chapter teaches you fundamental concept and follows it up by practical application of what you have learned. The result is that you are in tune with the SSIS each progressing chapter and confident of applying that at your workplace. By devoting most of the pages to hands on exercise, the author does not sacrifice valuable technical concepts and definitions, thus book also serves as a reference book. I recommend such books written by actual professionals than 600+ page book of just theory which leaves the practical application to the imagination of reader.

I have another SSIS book and had been using this book more (almost 80% of the time) each time I need to reference or even look for how-tos.

Very informational and the hands-on training helped me move become an intermediate user right away. I just hope they've put more emphasis on more advanced real-world concepts on hands-on training.