Since you're here on a SQL Server site it's probably safe to assume that SQL Server is part of the equation, read up on replication in the BOL and here...

Scott -

One thing to take a look at in this circumstance is running multiple querys and aggregating the results (e.g. a union), rather than one nasty query that trys to...

How much of a difference in database/table size between the two environments?  One of the things that will absolutely cause your query plans to change in when the data distribution...

I'm gonna agree with Jeff, given two points with lat/long, calculating the distance between the two points is pretty straightforward/efficient...

Joe

"consolidated reporting"... that's what I kind of expected you to say which complicates matters - you're going to need to think through how you're going to reaggregate all that data...

Hmm... one thought would be to take your list of sql servers and compare/mix it with an export from your list of computers/servers from active directory.  Depending on your arrangements...

What is the existing single database used for?  Depending on what you're using the existing database for, breaking it up could be painful (e.g. aggregated reporting?).

Joe

Scott -

The steps in the KB (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940232) will be needed to enable remote access to SSIS from your local machine - even after you install SSIS <grin>.

The biggest...

Compressed folders are slow, no doubt about it, especially if the compressed folder is on another server - the data still crosses the network uncompressed...

That said, a product like LiteSpeed...

Norm -

Assuming this is a .ASP or .Net application what are the connection strings for the database specified in the web.config or global.aspx? 

If your connection string specifies integrated security...

Lisandro -

Just to clarify Steve's comments, what you need to do is teach your developers to specify the object owner when creating functions and stored procedures.

For example if I am...

Marc -

You need to switch your users from SQL Server security to integrated/windows security - assuming that your SQL Server is in the same domain as your users it's a pretty straightforward exercise.  My...

Mike -

Backup/restore is a good way to approach the migration - but just for user databases, do not try to bring across any of the system databases.  You'll also need to...

Billy -

You're comment "I bet Oracle "materialized views" do things in a more effecient fashion." cracked me up - the answer is nope, they operate in pretty much the same...

Why CLR when you can do the same via t-sql?

Joe