About insert identity column

Question

I need to merge some data (include identity column) from other server to my server without interrupting my service running. I export the data from the other server and insert into to my server like this:

SET IDENTITY_INSERT tbl_content ON

... insert command ...

SET IDENTITY_INSERT tbl_content OFF

However, if I set the IDENTITY_INSERT on, other applications inserting data into the database without identity column will get an error

Explicit value must be specified for identity column in table '....' either when IDENTITY_INSERT is set to ON

How can I insert identity column without interrupting other applications?

Answer 1

Why not use SqlTransaction when performing the bulk insert. Yes your table will be locked for some time but atleast you'll guarantee data integrity.