Keep it simple... use the Import and Export Wizard

For some reason, a lot of us make things harder (or more time consuming) than they need to be.  In a field where there are plenty of difficult tasks to spend hours developing and completing, there are a few tasks that have shortcuts available.  The Import and Export Wizard is an example of a tool that's available in SQL Server Management Studio that can perform functions similar to an SSIS package, while requiring significantly less development time.  It is a good tool for simple data transfer or even to make a quick copy of data for testing purposes.  It can transfer data to or from a SQL Server database, flat file, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, Microsoft Access database, or an Oracle database.  The wizard actually generates an SSIS package that you can run immediately through the wizard or choose to save as a package to modify or schedule it to execute at a later time.  You can either start the wizard through the Start menu, then selecting the Microsoft SQL Server folder under Programs, or through SQL Server Management Studio itself by right clicking on the database that you would like to import to or export from.  From there, you will click on "Tasks", and then either "Import Data..." or "Export Data...". 

Once you have opened the Import and Export Wizard, the second page is where you select the source database that you would like data transferred from.  If you selected "Export data..." then this will default to the database that you originally right clicked on.  Once you have selected the source of your data, you can click the next button to select you destination.  If you selected the "Import data..." option, this page will default to the database that you originally selected.  The next page allows you to transfer the data from an entire table or view, or to narrow down the results using a SQL query.  The following page is where you either select a table or a view or enter your query, depending on which you selected.  And you then name the destination table and the mapping of the fields if you desire.  And finally, the last page asks you if you want to run the package immediately, or save it to be run later.  Admittedly, this wizard is fairly self-explanatory, however, my goal was just to bring it to the attention of developers who have never used it, that the option was out there...  And that it might save a little time and effort to take atvantage of it.