DTS was the original service used to load the data from the sources. It was used with SQL databases. Before SSIS came into the market, DTS was used for loading data from sources. SSIS uses an ETL tool.
The E stands for Extract, The T stands for Transform, and The L stands for loading. DTS was able to be used apart from Microsoft with the use of some other databases.
Key Takeaways
- DTS is a legacy data integration tool no longer supported, while SSIS is a modern data integration tool that replaced DTS.
- DTS uses a graphical interface to create data transformation packages, while SSIS provides a more advanced and flexible graphical interface to create data integration workflows.
- DTS is limited to data transformation and cannot perform data profiling, data cleansing, and other advanced data integration tasks possible with SSIS.
DTS vs SSIS
The difference between DTS and SSIS is that DTS has many objects that take the help of an ETL tool, but SSIS itself acts as an ETL tool. DTS is just a component of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and can be used freely, but SSIS is not a component of Microsoft SQL Server 2000. DTS expansion is Data Transformation Services, but SSIS expansion is SQL Server Integration Services.
DTS was included in SQL Server 7, replacing the particular different parts for different jobs. Then DTS was upgraded to do many more tasks, including more tasks like adding FTP files and more database components, which can easily do the work.
SSIS gives the users permission to communicate through an active connection. Users don’t have to download a different installation. It consists of tools that have graphics and wizards, which can ease the work. It also has some data sources which act as ETL tools.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | DTS | SSIS |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Form | Data Transformation Services | SQL Server Integration Services |
| ETL Tool | It is not an ETL tool. | It is an ETL tool. |
| Microsoft SQL Server | Yes | No |
| Loop Container | No | Yes |
| Intelligence Tools | It has no such tool. | It has a Business Intelligence tool. |
| Container | No container | For each Loop Container |
What is DTS?
DTS stands for Data Transformation Services. It used the earlier versions of SQL server Transfer Manager and bulk copy program. SQL Server 7 has included DTS to replace different tools for different tasks.
Then there was expansion in DTS, as the addition of FTP files and the ability to FTP files. DTS was able to be used apart from Microsoft with the use of some other databases.
It could extract the information from various other data sources. The earlier database used a bulk copy program, which was a disadvantage to the earlier versions of SQL Server 6.5.
The 2000 version developed into an advantage for the Microsoft SQL Server. DTS was included in SQL Server 7, replacing the particular different parts for different jobs.
Then DTS was upgraded to do many more tasks, including more tasks like adding FTP files and more database components, which can easily do the work. DTS does all its job using Activex Script.
It has limited tools in it. It can focus on one task. It does not consist of a solution explorer. DTS can be deployed only using a local server. It does not have a BI tool like SSIS.
DTS is not a managed script. It has no deployment wizard. The design of DTS has a single pane. Enterprise Manager develops the DTS.
What is SSIS?
SSIS stands for SQL Server Integration Services. This was introduced to stop DTS. SSIS had a business tool that was kept included within the server. This tool has visual studio development tools included in it.
SSIS gives the users permission to communicate through an active connection. Users don’t have to download a different installation. It consists of tools that have graphics and wizards, which can ease the work.
It also has some data sources which act as ETL tools. It takes the help of the scripting language.
It can be updated using the business tool timely and effective. CLR manages SSIS. The business tool has end to end process. It has all the tools which can perform workflow functions.
It also has a deployment wizard. This can be transformed. This design has 4 types: data flow, control flow, event handler, and package explorer.
SSIS has a dynamic configuration. It also has a solution explorer updated and developed version which has specific packages for various data sources. Users can easily communicate if they are using SSIS with an active connection.
It has data sources that have transformations that easily merge data and copies data from various other sources.
Main Differences Between DTS and SSIS
- DTS expansion is Data Transformation Services, but SSIS expansion is SQL Server Integration Services.
- DTS itself is not an ETL tool, but SSIS is an ETL tool.
- DTS is a component of Microsoft SQL Server, but SSIS is not a component of Microsoft SQL Server.
- For Loop container is a part of SSIS but not a part of DTS.
- DTS does not have a Foreach Loop container, but SSIS has a Foreach Loop container.
- DTS has no Business Intelligence Tool, but SSIS has Business Intelligence Tool.
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4302-0448-0_3
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4302-0248-6_3
Last Updated : 17 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I appreciate the breakdown of the key differences between DTS and SSIS, very informative.
I find the in-depth comparison of DTS and SSIS to be nothing short of outstanding.
The superiority of SSIS over DTS is made abundantly clear in this article.
Couldn’t agree more, Fkelly.
A bit redundant, but still a good comparison between DTS and SSIS.
I find this comparison to be quite biased, favoring SSIS over DTS. Both have their merits.
I disagree, SSIS is clearly the superior choice.
I second that, Jason.
A thought-provoking and well-rounded comparison of DTS and SSIS.
Great explanation of the difference between DTS and SSIS, very useful information.
I completely agree, Mia!
The content was informative, but lacked a certain degree of objectivity in the comparison of DTS and SSIS.
I agree, Summer.
I wish there was more emphasis placed on the specific advantages of DTS, rather than focusing solely on SSIS.
Interesting and eye-opening comparison between DTS and SSIS.