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sql-serverdatabasesql-server-migration-assi

SSMA timestamp. What's it for, how is it used?


I rencently used the SQL Server Migration Assistant to import a database into SQL Server 2005. I noticed that a number of tables that were imported have been ammended with a new column called SSMA_timestamp.

Can anyone tell me what this is for and how it would be used?


Solution

  • I think this is generated so that the Migration assistant can detect changes to the data during the migration.

    Unless you are continuing to use Access as a front end to this specific database you have migrated to SQL Server (in which case see Simon's answer), I don't think they will be used for anything after migration is complete, so it should be safe to drop these new columns once you are sure everything is done.