


You can manage downlevel versions (I currently use the 2016 version to manage 2005, 2008, 2008 R instances) except in rare compatibility scenarios (e.g. 1 In Object Explorer, right-click the database you want to import data and select Data Pump -> Import Data. Import several files into SQL Server without the use of SSIS but using a bit of VBA in Excel.

2012 SP2 was the first version that allows you to freely use the fully functional version of Management Studio (rather than the stripped-down Express version, which is missing all kinds of things, including the entire SQL Server Agent node) without any licensing requirements whatsoever. NET Connection Manager so we can use in Script Task to Load data from Excel Sheets to SQL Server Table. Really you should be using the most recent version of Management Studio. Run the 64-bit version of the wizard unless you know that your data source requires a 32-bit data provider.
