When you save a Data Transformation Services (DTS) package, you save all DTS connections, DTS tasks, DTS transformations, and workflow steps and preserve the graphical layout of these objects on the DTS Designer design sheet.
You can save a package to:
With this default save option, you can store a package as a SQL Server msdb table, allowing you to: store packages on any instances of SQL Server on your network; keep a convenient inventory of saved packages in SQL Server Enterprise Manager; and create, delete, and branch multiple package versions during the package development process.
To save a DTS package to SQL Server
With this save option, you can maintain historical information about the data manipulated by the package. However, Meta Data Services and the repository database must be installed and operational on your server. You can track the columns and tables that are used by the package as a source or destination. You also can use the data lineage feature to track which version of a package created a particular row. You can use these types of information for decision-support applications. For more information, see Sharing Meta Data.
To save a DTS package to Meta Data Services
With this save option, you can copy, move, and send a package across the network without having to store the file in a SQL Server database. The structured storage format allows you to maintain multiple packages and multiple package versions in a single file.
To save a DTS package to a structured storage file
With this save option, you can programmatically customize a package created in DTS Designer or the DTS Import/Export Wizard. The option scripts out the package as Visual Basic code, and you can later open the Visual Basic file and modify the package definition in your development environment. For more information, see Managing DTS Package Programs.
To save a DTS package to a Visual Basic file
When you save a package to SQL Server or to a structured storage file, you can secure the package with one or more passwords. When you save a package to Meta Data Services or as a Visual Basic file, the DTS package security options are not available. However:
For more information, see Handling Package Security in DTS.