On BULK INSERT, the data source doesn't have to live on the actual MSSQL box. It can be something on a UNC or even in Azure: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/

On BULK INSERT, the data source doesn't have to live on the actual MSSQL box. It can be something on a UNC or even in Azure: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/statements/bulk-insert-transact-sql?view=sql-server-ver17#from-data_file https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/statements/bulk-... > Beginning with SQL Server 2017 (14.x), the data_file can be in Azure Blob Storage. You don't need to have access to the MSSQL box to invoke high performance batch loads. UNC should give you what you need if your IT department is willing to work with it.