A few points:

1. Yes, these are fixed width files. The main annoyance I encountered is that SSIS would not let me define all the connections in one shot. I had to invoke the Wizard several times.

2. I don't like to use the native SSIS facilities to generate tables. They are clumsy to use though they get the job done.

3. Several people (Business Analysts, external programmers) are involved in the larger project. We needed a common communication and construction tool that was accessible to all. We created 10 Excel spreadsheets defining the table schemas ("col name", "width", "Description", etc) and that was used (copy/paste) to create the Sql tables. The way you describe creating a table is fine if the DBA is doing everything on their own. I work with a team that approach is not too useful to me.

edm2