In Microsoft SQL Server Code-Named “Denali” CTP1, Integration Services (SSIS) introduces several usability enhancements to help new and experienced users develop packages more easily. Source Assistant and Destination Assistant help create sources, destinations, and connection managers. This topic describes the source and destination assistants in Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS).
Note: Source Assistant and Destination Assistant replace the Integration Services Connections project and the corresponding wizard, which are not included in Microsoft SQL Server Code-Named "Denali" CTP1.
The Source Assistant and Destination Assistant icons are located in the SSIS Toolbox when the Data Flow designer is active. After Integration Services is installed, these items are located in the Favorites category. In order to add a new source or destination, drag the corresponding assistant onto the Data Flow designer. The assistant toolbox items are shown in the following image:
The assistants use the selections that you make in the Add New Source and Add New Destination dialogs to create and configure the necessary sources, destinations, and connection managers. By default, the assistants will only show the source or destination types that you have installed on your computer. Un-check Show installed only to see a larger list of types. If you already have a connection manager that will work with a particular type, it will be displayed in the Connection Managers list when the corresponding type is selected in the Types list.
To use an assistant to create a source or destination, perform the following tasks:
The Source Assistant Add New Source dialog box is shown in the following image:
The Destination Assistant Add New Destination dialog box is shown in the following image:
See Also
Integration Services (SSIS) Usability Enhancements Integration Services (SSIS) Source and Destination Assistants Flexible Authoring with the Integration Services (SSIS) Data Flow Designer Integration Services SSIS Toolbox
Hello Gary/ Sabotta,
Can the Source and Destination connections be changed on the fly (can I reuse the same for multiple files)? In the sense that I could use the same connection and change the Connection string on the fly to run the same Package against multiple Source/ Destination.?
Also am a bit disappointed... in SQL 2K (DTS era), we had a feature that we could control the Field Mapping dynamically between Source and Destination system. Now in SSIS... everything is fairly static... any plans of getting this feature back in. I know there are workarounds but they are painful.
Also am hoping the issue pertaining to returning Error Column names instead of the LineageId is addressed?
Would be great if you could revert.
I am surprised to not to see the raw file source/destination assistant provided.
Since it is present in SSIS already that would be a step back to not to have it, is there a reason for not to?