I.2.7. Integration
Several new industries are addressing the ever-multiplying challenges of tying information together from multiple silos. Unfortunately, from the perspective of most IT organizations, this leads to purchasing and administering an increasing number of integration-related tools. Microsoft has gotten into the act as well by offering a set of technologies known as SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) — a formidable challenger to the Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) industry. What's especially attractive about Microsoft's offering is that there's no additional software to purchase; it's all part of SQL Server. It also uses Microsoft's field-tested approach to solving complex computing challenges via graphically based (rather than script-driven) tools. Figure 2-5, which shows the development platform in which you construct SSIS solutions, illustrates a rich graphical user interface.
Figure I.2-4. The Microsoft Report Designer.
Figure I.2-5. Building an SSIS project.
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