SQL Server 2012 Integration Services Enhancements

This is an article to discuss few of the many enhancements made to SSIS 2012.

The very first change we notice is the BI development tool itself. The common tool for all BI projects, The Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) is now called SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).

1) New Project Dialog Box

Two templates are available here. One is for Integration Services Project, this type is available in previous versions of SSIS as well. The second one is Import Project Wizard, to import a project from SSIS Catalog. To enhance an existing SSIS project, we go for this option.

Rich Look Designer: With all new features added, the designer looks so cool to work.

2) SSIS Toolbox:  

Not the regular Toolbox, call it "SSIS Toolbox". A dedicated toolbox for SSIS tasks and components.

3) Parameters: 

New window in the designer which allows us to specify a runtime value for packages, tasks etc.,

4) Variables and SSIS Toolbox Button: 

Two shortcut buttons can be found on the right most side of the designer for variables and SSIS toolbox respectively.

5) Status Indicators:

In this latest version of SSIS, right after a execution of a task or when we have any issue with the configuration of Task is indicated with Green Tick Mark and Red Cross Mark accordingly. No fill up of Green or Red to the entire task now.

6) Expression Indicators: 

If a connection, component or task are configured with dynamic expressions, they are highlighted with "fx" icon, right on tasks.

7) Enhanced Data Viewers: 

Data Viewers helps us a lot in viewing the data at run time. Now we have this feature little modified as show in the image.

8) New Control Flow Tasks & Data Flow Items:

Business requirements are endless. The business people are hungry of Information. In order to turn the junk into information, the ETL developer has to implement logic using transformations available in the toolbox. In case the requirement is complex and not in hands of within transformations, then .Net Script Task and Script Component always helps us in fixing them. As expected, lets welcome new guests in the form of new tasks and components.

9) Finally, Undo-Redo: 

Thanks for the development team for adding a very small feature, (Undo and Redo) but still very important while designing a package. When this feature was present in the previous versions of SSRS , I was wondering why this was not included in SSIS. Anyways, it’s a good news to get the CTRL-Z and CTRL-Y in SSIS.

10) Zoom In and Out: In the right side bottom corner of the workspace you can find the zoom feature to enlarge or reduce the components size. The complex packages can now be easily navigated adjusting the zoom feature.

11) Brand New Deployment Architecture: This is most important feature in SSIS. I have gone through the deployment process and it is as below.

Hope this helps those looking for an overview in the enhancements in SQL Server 2012.

Happy SSIS'ing ;)