is there any point learning about and using MS SQL DTS when many of the tasks can be performed adequately using Perl.

It's always useful to know multiple ways to accomplish a task, esp, when so many solutions will be pre-created in another language for you.

There are a few things DTS, esp. in combination with the SQL Server Wizards, make easier. For one project, I have a DTS package that backs up my PROD DB to DEV, for testing and the like. Could I do it in Perl? Sure. But it was much easier to use the DTS-based Import/Export tool.

In general, I think it's best to learn as much as you can about a tool, and then see if using it fits your application/development focus. Obviously, you lose portability of code with DTS, and that's one major reason I shy away from its use, save with purely "backend" work like the DB backup mentioned above.

Learn DTS, learn Transact SQL, but also learn how to code well in Perl. The more you know, and the better you balance depth and breath of knowledge, the better your applications will be.