SQL Server 2005 - Syncing development/production databases

Question

I've got a rather large SQL Server 2005 database that is under constant development. Every so often, I either get a new developer or need to deploy wide-scale schema changes to the production server.

My main concern is deploying schema + data updates to developer machines from the "master" development copy.

Is there some built-in functionality or tools for publishing schema + data in such a fashion? I'd like it to take as little time as possible. Can it be done from within SSMS?

Thanks in advance for your time

Answer 1

I suggest using RedGate's tools (this is not advertisment, but real life experience with them) that can deploy schema changes and/or data:

• SQL Compare for schema changes
• SQL Data Compare for data changes

I used these tools in the past (others as well) and they really helped with development staging process. These tools aren't free but their price is more than acceptable for any development team.

Check RedGate web site