12+ Best Microsoft SQL Server ETL Tools for 2023 Free & Paid (Updated List)

If you work with data, chances are you've heard of ETL. But what exactly is ETL, and why is it important? ETL stands for extract, transform, load.

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It's a process that involves extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a format that is suitable for analysis and reporting, and loading it into a target system such as a data warehouse.

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ETL is a critical part of many data management and analysis pipelines, and having the right tools can make the process more efficient and effective.

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Microsoft SQL Server is a popular database management system that offers a range of tools for ETL. This blog post will explore some of the best options for ETL with Microsoft SQL Server.

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Whether you're a data professional looking to improve your ETL workflow or a beginner learning about ETL for the first time, this post will provide valuable information and resources. So let's dive in and learn about the power of ETL with Microsoft SQL Server!

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What is Microsoft SQL Server?

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Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It is designed to store, retrieve, and manage data in a structured and efficient way.

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Organisations of all sizes use SQL Server to store and manage data for various applications, including business intelligence, data warehousing, e-commerce, and more.

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SQL Server is available in a number of editions, including Enterprise, Standard, and Express, each of which is optimised for different types of workloads.

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The Enterprise edition is the most feature-rich and is suitable for mission-critical environments, while the Standard and Express editions offer a more cost-effective solution for smaller organisations or applications.

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One of the key features of SQL Server is its support for structured query language (SQL), the standard language for interacting with relational databases. SQL allows users to create, modify, and query databases using a set of commands and syntax.

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This makes it easy for developers to build applications that interact with data stored in SQL Server.

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In addition to its core database engine, SQL Server includes various tools and services for data management, analysis, and reporting. Some of these include;

• SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS): A powerful ETL tool for building complex data integration and transformation solutions.

• SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS): A tool for creating, deploying, and managing interactive reports.

• SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS): A tool for creating and managing analytical data models.

• SQL Server is a powerful and widely-used RDBMS that offers a range of features and tools for storing, managing, and analysing data. Whether you're working with a small database or a large enterprise data warehouse, SQL Server has an edition and set of tools that can meet your needs.

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What is ETL?

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ETL stands for extract, transform, load. It's a process that involves extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a format that is suitable for analysis and reporting, and loading it into a target system such as a data warehouse.

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ETL is a critical part of many data management and analysis pipelines, and having the right tools can make the process more efficient and effective.

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Let's break down each component of the ETL process:

Extract:

The first step in the ETL process is to extract data from various sources. This can include databases, flat files, APIs, and more. The extracted data is often transformed into a format that is easier to work with, such as CSV or JSON.

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Transform:

The next step is transforming the data into a suitable format for the target system. This can involve a variety of tasks, such as cleaning and normalising the data, aggregating or summarising it, and more. The goal of the transformation step is to prepare the data for analysis and reporting.

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Load:

The final step in the ETL process is to load the transformed data into the target system. This can be a database, data warehouse, or other data storage system. The loaded data is then ready for further analysis and reporting.

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ETL is an important part of many data management and analysis pipelines. It allows organisations to extract, transform, and load data from various sources, making it more accessible and valuable for business decision-making.

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Whether you're working with a small data set or a large enterprise data warehouse, ETL can help you get the most value out of your data.‌

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Best SQL Server ETL Tools

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When it comes to ETL with Microsoft SQL Server, there are several tools to choose from. Each tool has its own strengths and is suitable for different types of workloads and environments. This section will explore some of the best SQL Server ETL tools available.

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1) SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a powerful ETL tool that is included with Microsoft SQL Server. SSIS allows you to build complex data integration and transformation solutions using a graphical design interface.

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It supports a wide range of data sources and destinations and offers a variety of transformation options, such as data cleansing, aggregation, and merging. SSIS also has a robust set of error handling and logging features, making it a reliable choice for ETL in enterprise environments.

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2) SQL Server Import and Export Wizard

For those who need a quick and easy way to transfer data between databases or files, the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard is a convenient option. This tool, included with Microsoft SQL Server, allows you to quickly set up and execute data import and export tasks.

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It has a simple graphical user interface that guides you through the process and supports various data sources and destinations. While it may not have all the advanced features of SSIS, the Import and Export Wizard can be a great choice for simple ETL tasks.

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3) Azure Data Factory

For those looking to perform ETL in the cloud, Azure Data Factory is a good option to consider. This cloud-based ETL service allows you to create and schedule data pipelines that can ingest, transform, and publish data to a variety of Azure services and other cloud platforms.

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It has a wide range of connectors for popular data sources and destinations, and offers a range of transformation options including data wrangling, machine learning, and real-time streaming.

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Azure Data Factory also integrates with other Azure services such as Azure Synapse Analytics (formerly SQL Data Warehouse) and Azure Machine Learning, making it a powerful choice for ETL in a cloud-based data analytics environment.

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No matter which tool you choose, having a reliable and efficient ETL process is crucial for managing and analysing data effectively. Each of the aforementioned tools has its own strengths and is suitable for different workloads and environments.

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By considering your specific needs and requirements, you can choose the best SQL Server ETL tool for your organisation.

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Paid SQL Server ETL Tools

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In addition to the free ETL tools included with Microsoft SQL Server, several paid options are available that offer more advanced features and capabilities. In this section, we'll explore some of the market's best paid SQL Server ETL tools.

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1) Boltic:

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Boltic is a cloud-based ETL tool that offers a range of data integration and transformation features. It has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines and supports various data sources and destinations.

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Boltic also offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging, and has error handling and logging features.

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Boltic is a cloud-based ETL tool that offers the following key features:

• Visual design interface: Boltic has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: Boltic supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, APIs, and more.

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• Data transformation: Boltic offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: Boltic has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Cloud-based: Boltic is a cloud-based tool that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be convenient for users who need to work remotely or don't want to install software on their local machines.

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Pricing

1. Startup - 0$

• 1 Million Rowshelp

• Unlimited Users

• Unlimited Bolt Creations

• 10 Integrations

• Email Notifications

• One Day’s User Audit Logs

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2. Growth - 229$/Month

• Unlimited Users

• Unlimited Bolt Creations

• Unlimited Integrations

• Slack, Email Notifications

• REST API as Integration

• User & Column Level Access Control

• One Month’s User Audit Logs

• Support - Email, Chatbot

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3. Enterprise - Tailor Made - Price Varies Depending on Individual Customization

• For organisations who need stronger governance

• Custom Rows

• Unlimited Users

• Unlimited Bolt Creations

• Unlimited Integrations

• Slack, Email Notifications

• REST API as Integration

• User & Column Level Access Control

• Lifetime User Audit Logs

• Dedicated Support - Call, Email, Chatbot, & Live Chat

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2) Hevo Data:

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Hevo Data is an automated ETL platform that allows you to quickly and easily transfer data between databases and other data sources. It has a simple, user-friendly interface and supports a wide range of data sources and destinations.

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Hevo Data also offers real-time data integration, making it a good choice for streaming data scenarios.

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Hevo Data is an automated ETL platform that offers the following key features:

• User-friendly interface: Hevo Data has a simple, user-friendly interface that makes it easy to set up and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: Hevo Data supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, cloud storage, SaaS applications, and more.

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• Real-time data integration: Hevo Data offers real-time data integration, which means that data is transferred and processed as it is generated rather than in batch processes. This can be useful for streaming data scenarios.

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• Automation: Hevo Data is an automated platform, meaning that data pipelines can be set up and run without requiring manual intervention. This can save time and reduce the risk of errors.

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• Scalability: Hevo Data is designed to scale with your needs and can handle large volumes of data without sacrificing performance.

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• Cloud-based: Hevo Data is a cloud-based tool that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be convenient for users who need to work remotely or who don't want to install software on their local machines.

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Pricing

1. Free - $0

• 50+ free connectors

• Free initial load

• Unlimited models

• 24x7 email support

• Single sign-on

• Unlimited users

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2. Starter - $239

• 150+ connectors

• On-demand events

• Free setup assistance

• 24x7 live chat support

• 12 hrs support SLA

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3. Business - Price Depends on Choice & Customization 

• HIPAA compliance

• Dedicated Data Architect

• Dedicated Account Manager

• 6 hrs support SLA

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3) Informatica PowerCenter:

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Informatica PowerCenter is a comprehensive ETL platform that offers a range of features for data integration, transformation, and management.

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It has a powerful graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines and supports a wide range of data sources and destinations. PowerCenter also offers advanced transformation options, error handling and logging features, and integration with other Informatica products.

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Informatica PowerCenter is a comprehensive ETL platform that offers the following key features:

• Graphical design interface: PowerCenter has a powerful graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: PowerCenter supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, APIs, and more.

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• Advanced transformation options: PowerCenter offers a range of advanced transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: PowerCenter has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Integration with other Informatica products: PowerCenter integrates with other Informatica products, such as Informatica Cloud and Informatica MDM, which can be useful for organisations that use multiple Informatica tools.

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• Scalability: PowerCenter is designed to scale with your needs, and can handle large volumes of data without sacrificing performance.

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• On-premises or cloud-based: PowerCenter can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, depending on your organization's needs and preferences.

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Pricing

• Most of Informatica PC's licences are based on CPU CORE.

• The software's or repository's "basic" licence will cost at least six figures per CPU core. You will need to haggle with Informatica because the precise cost is a non-disclosure.

• You may need additional licences in addition to the basic licence required to utilise Informatica PC, including real-time component, team-based licencing, all types of integrators and PX connections, data profiling, data masking, etc.

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4) Striim:

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Striim is a real-time data integration and streaming analytics platform that offers a range of features for ETL. It has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines, and supports a wide range of data sources and destinations.

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Striim also offers a range of transformation options and has features for error handling and logging.

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Striim is a real-time data integration and streaming analytics platform that offers the following key features:

• Visual design interface: Striim has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: Striim supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, cloud storage, SaaS applications, and more.

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• Real-time data integration: Striim offers real-time data integration, which means that data is transferred and processed as it is generated, rather than in batch processes. This can be useful for streaming data scenarios.

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• Data transformation: Striim offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: Striim has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Scalability: Striim is designed to scale with your needs, and can handle large volumes of data without sacrificing performance.

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• Cloud-based: Striim is a cloud-based tool that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be convenient for users who need to work remotely or who don't want to install software on their local machines.

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Pricing

1. Striim Developer - Free

• Streaming SQL and Change Data Capture with a single pane of glass

• Real-time data delivery to all supported cloud data warehouses, AWS Kinesis, S3, and Kafka

• Unlimited Streaming SQL Queries and Streams

• Community Support

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2. Data Product Solutions - Starts from $2500

• Fully automated schema migration, initial load, streaming CDC to BigQuery or Snowflake

• Schema evolution and monitoring of data delivery SLAs

• Easy to parallelise for max performance

• HIPAA, GDPR Compliance

• Enterprise Support

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3. Striim Cloud Enterprise - Starts from $2500

• Enterprise scale Streaming SQL pipelines and the industry’s fastest change data capture

• Access to over 150 streaming connectors

• Fully dedicated and secure compute, storage, and network infrastructure with customer-managed keys.

• HIPAA, GDPR Compliance

• Enterprise Support

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5) Pentaho:

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Pentaho is a comprehensive ETL and data integration platform that offers a range of features for data extraction, transformation, and loading. It has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines and supports various data sources and destinations.

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Pentaho also offers advanced transformation options and features for error handling and logging.

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Pentaho is a comprehensive ETL and data integration platform that offers the following key features:

• Visual design interface: Pentaho has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: Pentaho supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, APIs, and more.

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• Data transformation: Pentaho offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: Pentaho has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Integration with other Pentaho products: Pentaho integrates with other Pentaho products, such as Pentaho Data Services and Pentaho Data Science, which can be useful for organisations that use multiple Pentaho tools.

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• Scalability: Pentaho is designed to scale with your needs, and can handle large volumes of data without sacrificing performance.

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• On-premises or cloud-based: Pentaho can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, depending on your organisation's needs and preferences.

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Pricing

• A 30-day trial download is available from Pentaho. There is no disclosure of contract pricing.

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6) IBM InfoSphere DataStage:

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IBM InfoSphere DataStage is an enterprise-grade ETL platform offering a range of data integration and transformation features. It has a powerful graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines and supports many data sources and destinations.

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DataStage also offers advanced transformation options and features for error handling and logging.

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IBM InfoSphere DataStage is an enterprise-grade ETL platform that offers the following key features:

• Graphical design interface: InfoSphere DataStage has a powerful graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: InfoSphere DataStage supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, APIs, and more.

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• Advanced transformation options: InfoSphere DataStage offers a range of advanced transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: InfoSphere DataStage has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Integration with other IBM products: InfoSphere DataStage integrates with other IBM products, such as IBM Watson and IBM Cloud, which can be useful for organizations that use multiple IBM tools.

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• Scalability: InfoSphere DataStage is designed to scale with your needs, and can handle large volumes of data without sacrificing performance.

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• On-premises or cloud-based: InfoSphere DataStage can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, depending on your organization's needs and preferences.

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Pricing

• There is no defined pricing options for “IBM InfoSphere DataStage”. The pricing varies based on what all the user has opted for as per their need.

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7) Oracle GoldenGate:

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Oracle GoldenGate is a real-time data integration and replication platform that offers a range of features for ETL. It has a graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines and supports a wide range of data sources and destinations.

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GoldenGate also offers advanced transformation options and features for error handling and logging.

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Oracle GoldenGate is a real-time data integration and replication platform that offers the following key features:

• Graphical design interface: GoldenGate has a graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: GoldenGate supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, and more.

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• Real-time data integration: GoldenGate offers real-time data integration, which means that data is transferred and processed as it is generated rather than in batch processes. This can be useful for streaming data scenarios.

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• Data transformation: GoldenGate offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: GoldenGate has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Scalability: GoldenGate is designed to scale with your needs, and can handle large volumes of data without sacrificing performance.

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• On-premises or cloud-based: GoldenGate can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, depending on your organisation's needs and preferences.

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8) Qlik Replicate:

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Qlik Replicate is a real-time data integration platform that offers a range of features for ETL. It has a graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines and supports a wide range of data sources and destinations.

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Qlik Replicate also offers advanced transformation options and has features for error handling and logging.

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These are just a few of the many paid SQL Server ETL tools available on the market. Each tool has its own strengths and is suitable for different types of workloads and environments.

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Qlik Replicate is a real-time data integration platform that offers the following key features:

• Graphical design interface: Qlik Replicate has a graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: Qlik Replicate supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, cloud storage, SaaS applications, and more.

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• Real-time data integration: Qlik Replicate offers real-time data integration, which means that data is transferred and processed as it is generated, rather than in batch processes. This can be useful for streaming data scenarios.

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• Data transformation: Qlik Replicate offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: Qlik Replicate has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Scalability: Qlik Replicate is designed to scale with your needs, and can handle large volumes of data without sacrificing performance.

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• Cloud-based: Qlik Replicate is a cloud-based tool that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be convenient for users who need to work remotely or who want to avoid installing software on their local machines.

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Pricing

• Qlik Replicate® - Free

• Qlik Compose® for Data Lakes - Changes based on customisation

• Qlik Compose® for Data Warehouses - Changes based on customisation

• Qlik Enterprise Manager® - Changes based on customisation

• Qlik Catalog® - Changes based on customisation

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Free SQL Server ETL Tools:

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In addition to the paid ETL tools that are available, there are also several free options that can be used to extract, transform, and load data with Microsoft SQL Server. These tools can be a good choice for organizations that are working with limited budgets or that want to try out different ETL tools before making a purchase.

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1) Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS):

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Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a free ETL tool that is included with Microsoft SQL Server. It has a graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines, and supports a wide range of data sources and destinations.

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SSIS also offers a range of transformation options and has features for error handling and logging.

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One of the main advantages of SSIS is that it is tightly integrated with Microsoft SQL Server, which can make it easier to use for organizations that are already using other Microsoft products. It is also well supported, with a large user community and extensive online documentation.

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Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a free ETL tool that is included with Microsoft SQL Server. It offers the following key features;

• Graphical design interface: SSIS has a graphical design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: SSIS supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, APIs, and more.

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• Data transformation: SSIS offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: SSIS has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Tight integration with Microsoft SQL Server: SSIS is tightly integrated with Microsoft SQL Server, which can make it easier to use for organizations that are already using other Microsoft products.

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• Well-supported: SSIS is well-supported, with a large user community and extensive documentation available online.

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2) Talend Open Studio:

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Talend Open Studio is a free, open-source ETL tool that offers a range of data integration and transformation features. It has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines, and supports a wide range of data sources and destinations.

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Talend Open Studio also offers a range of transformation options and has features for error handling and logging.

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One of the main advantages of Talend Open Studio is that it is open-source, which means that it can be modified and extended as needed. It is also well supported, with a large user community and extensive documentation available online.

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Talend Open Studio is a free, open-source ETL tool that offers the following key features:

• Visual design interface: Talend Open Studio has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: Talend Open Studio supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, APIs, and more.

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• Data transformation: Talend Open Studio offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: Talend Open Studio has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Open-source: Talend Open Studio is open-source, which means that it can be modified and extended as needed.

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• Well-supported: Talend Open Studio is well-supported, with a large user community and extensive documentation available online.

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3) Apache Nifi:

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Apache Nifi is a free, open-source ETL tool that is designed for data flow management and processing. It has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines and supports various data sources and destinations.

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Apache Nifi also offers a range of transformation options and has features for error handling and logging.

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One of the main advantages of Apache Nifi is that it is designed for real-time data processing, which can be useful for streaming data scenarios. It is also well supported, with a large user community and extensive documentation available online.

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Apache Nifi is a free, open-source ETL tool that offers the following key features:

• Visual design interface: Apache Nifi has a visual design interface that makes it easy to build and manage data pipelines.

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• Wide range of data sources and destinations: Apache Nifi supports a wide range of data sources and destinations, including databases, flat files, APIs, and more.

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• Data transformation: Apache Nifi offers a range of transformation options, including data cleansing, aggregation, and merging.

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• Error handling and logging: Apache Nifi has features for error handling and logging, which can be useful for debugging and troubleshooting data integration and transformation issues.

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• Real-time data processing: Apache Nifi is designed for real-time data processing, which can be useful for streaming data scenarios.

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• Open-source: Apache Nifi is open-source, which means that it can be modified and extended as needed.

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• Well-supported: Apache Nifi is well-supported, with a large user community and extensive documentation available online.

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‌How to Choose a Good SQL ETL Tool?

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There are many different ETL tools to choose from when it comes to extracting, transforming, and loading data with Microsoft SQL Server. While each tool has its own unique features and capabilities, there are some key factors to consider when selecting a good SQL ETL tool for your organisation.

1. Data sources and destinations

One of the most important things to consider when selecting an ETL tool is the range of data sources and destinations it supports. The tool should be able to connect to the data sources and destinations you need to work with, whether they are databases, cloud storage, SaaS applications, or something else.

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2. Data transformation capabilities

Another important factor to consider is the tool's data transformation capabilities. The tool should offer a range of options for cleansing, aggregating, and merging data and any other transformations you may need to perform.

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3. Ease of use

A good ETL tool should be easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and clear documentation. This can save time and reduce the risk of errors when building and managing data pipelines.

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4. Scalability

It's also important to consider the tool's scalability, especially if you anticipate working with large volumes of data. The tool should handle your data needs without sacrificing performance.

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5. Cost

Finally, don't forget to consider the cost of the ETL tool. While some tools may have a higher upfront cost, they may offer more advanced features or better support, which can be worth the

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Automation Options

One of the key benefits of using an ETL tool is the ability to automate data integration and transformation processes. This can save time and reduce the risk of errors, as well as free up your team to focus on other tasks. When evaluating ETL tools, looking for options that offer robust automation features is a good idea.

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Some examples of automation options to consider include scheduling, which allows you to set up recurring data integration and transformation processes; event-based triggers, which can trigger data processing based on specific events; and data quality checks, which can automatically validate the quality of your data.

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An Elaborate Data Transformation Suite

Data transformation is a crucial part of the ETL process, and it's important to choose a tool that offers a wide range of transformation options. An elaborate data transformation suite can help you cleanse, aggregate, merge, and otherwise manipulate your data to meet your specific needs.

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Look for a tool that offers a range of built-in transformation functions and the ability to create custom transformations as needed. It's also a good idea to choose a tool that offers a visual design interface, making it easier to build and manage data pipelines.

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Automatic Compliance With Regulations

For many organisations, compliance with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and others is a critical concern. An ETL tool that offers automatic compliance features can help ensure that you meet these requirements and provide documentation to demonstrate compliance as needed.

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Some examples of automatic compliance features to look for include data masking, which can protect sensitive data by replacing it with fictitious data; data lineage tracking, which can provide a record of how data has been transformed and used; and data governance tools, which can help you manage and control access to your data.

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SQL ETL Examples and Use Cases:

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ETL tools are used in various scenarios to extract, transform, and load data with Microsoft SQL Server. Some common examples and use cases include

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1) Data migration:

ETL tools are often used to migrate data from one system to another, such as when transitioning to a new database or consolidating data from multiple sources.

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2) Data warehousing:

ETL tools can be used to extract data from various sources, transform it into a consistent format, and load it into a data warehouse for reporting and analysis.

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3) Data synchronisation:

‍ETL tools can be used to synchronise data between systems, such as when integrating data from different departments or keeping data up to date in real-time.

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4) Data cleansing:

‍ETL tools can be used to cleanse data by identifying and correcting errors, removing duplicates, and standardising formats.

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5) Data integration:

‍ETL tools can be used to integrate data from various sources and make it available for use in applications and other systems.

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6) Data transformation:

ETL tools can be used to transform data from one format to another, such as when converting data from a legacy system to a new format or when aggregating data from multiple sources.

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In each scenario, an ETL tool can save time and reduce the risk of errors by automating the data integration and transformation process. Using an ETL tool, you can extract data from various sources, transform it into a consistent format, and load it into the system or application of your choice.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft SQL Server ETL is a powerful tool for extracting, transforming, and loading data. Whether you want to migrate data, build a data warehouse, synchronise data between systems, cleanse data, integrate data, or transform data, an ETL tool can make the process faster and easier.

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When choosing an ETL tool, there are several key factors to consider, including the range of data sources and destinations it supports, its data transformation capabilities, ease of use, scalability, and cost. Both paid and free options are available, so you can choose the tool that best meets your needs and budget.

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Some of the top SQL Server ETL tools include Boltic, Hevo Data, Informatica PowerCenter, Striim, Pentaho, IBM InfoSphere DataStage, Oracle GoldenGate, and Qlik Replicate. Each of these tools offers a range of features and capabilities, so be sure to evaluate them carefully to determine the best fit for your organisation.

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Overall, an ETL tool can be a valuable addition to your data management toolkit, helping you extract, transform, and load data with Microsoft SQL Server faster, more accurately, and more efficiently.

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