How to extract data from MS-SQL Server database

[Sherm Stevens]

I have a client that wants to migrate a custom E-commerce system written in MS SQL Server/ASP to Magento E-commerce, a MySQL/PHP solution. The client is not sure whether or not we will be able to get admin access to the current database, or if we can count on the current service provider to extract the data for us. We do have ftp access to the file storage area. I'm thinking it will be extremely difficult to migrate the data without having real access to the database.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to approach this problem. Is it possible to write an ASP page that could extract the entire contents of the database to a file?

The vendor said the only thing they would make available to us is the 'backup' file from their SQL Server database. Would it be possible to take that file and import it on a local machine running SQL Server & re-create the entire database schema, which I could then port to MySQL?

Finally, I'm looking for an individual or company to outsource this project so I can concentrate on the site development. If anyone has any suggestions on where to start there, I'd appreciate it.

Sherm Stevens
iNvision Studios