Microsoft

Probably the best known company in the software industry, Microsoft provides solutions for almost all areas - from personal uses to the largest enterprises operating globally. It develops the most differentiated products, from simple apps, through whole suites, to operating systems, which makes Microsoft the vendor every user knows very well. Its advantage over the rest of companies in software market is therefore giant, even though you can't say there's Microsoft, then a lot of space, and - finally - the rest of vendors. The difference between Microsoft and other leaders is in fact very small and the choice of one solution sometimes is driven only by sympathy. For data integration needs, Microsoft has prepared SQL Server Integration Services and BizTalk Server products.

Strengths

• multiple capabilities
• relevant data integration functions
• speed of implementation
• ease of use
• tight integration with other products of Microsoft SQL family
• stability and maturity
• good for enterprise-scale deployments
• community support
• good 3rd-party documentation
• brand famous

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), like many other products delivered by Microsoft, is widely known for its multiple capabilities, changing it from a simple application into a real combine of functions. Its main area of focus is bulk/batch-oriented data delivery. As a part of an SQL Server family, Integration Services is an answer to actual market trends and needs, especially those expressed by hitherto existing users of SQL Server.

In Microsoft environment, implementation of Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services is fast and easy, that's what customers point out as one of the more significant advantages of the product. Nonetheless, not only ease of implementation is noted, but also - very important - ease of use which makes that all users, who know former Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft applications, wouldn't have any problem with understanding the interface of Integration Services. The product not only is a part of wide range of SQL Server family, but also tightly integrates with the rest, which broadens its area of use.

Great experience gained by the vendor during its previous projects resulted in best features of SQL Server Integration Services, which - from the customers point of view - are maturity and stability. There are no stability issues even in case of the largest deployments, so Microsoft's data integration solutions can be easily used in worldwide-operating enterprises with the biggest loads of data. The famous of Microsoft is another advantage. Many customers still consider it far before other vendors of software and choose its offer even if the others are the same good or almost the same good. What it results in, is great support - not only the one provided by Microsoft, but also by the third parts. Additionally, there is a lot of documentation prepared by other users easily accessible.

Weaknesses

• lack of support for alternative data integration styles
• the only environment supported
• problematic integration with other products

Even though Microsoft SSIS seems to be a real combine of different capabilities and functions, its functionality might be restricted for some users. The most problematical seems to be lack of support for different integration styles which isn't exactly what today's customers expect from products by such famous vendors. Another restriction of SQL Server Integration Services, which is considered a disadvantage of almost all Microsoft products, is its strict alignment to Microsoft Windows environment. It's not possible to run the application under any other operating system which is a significant problem for the ones who realize the restriction of Windows, especially in the matter of efficiency in comparison to other operating systems. Eventually, Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services is thought to work with other products, but the integration between two different application isn't trouble-free. Even more, it's time- and effort-consuming and - in a consequence - reduce the efforts which should be focused on data integration aspects themselves.