Salesforce - How to Deploy between Environments (Sandboxes, Live etc)

We're looking into setting up a proper deployment process.

From what I've read there seems to be 4 methods of doing this.

1. Copy & Paste -- We don't want to do this
2. Using the "Package" mechanism built into the Salesforce Web Interface
3. Eclipse Force IDE "Deploy to Server" option
4. Ant Script (haven't tried this one yet)

Does anyone have advice on the limitation of the various methods .

Can you include everything in a Web Interface package?

We're looking to deploy the following items:

• Apex Classes

• Apex Triggers

• WorkFlows

• Email Templates

• MailMerge Templates -- Can't seem to find these in Eclipse

• Custom Fields

• Page Layout

• RecordTypes (can't seem to find these in Website or Eclipse)

• PickList items?

• SControls

I recommend the Force.com Migration Tool.

For reference:

• Force.com Migration Tool Documentation
• Migration Tool Guide

The Migration Tool allows you to use ant targets to move your metadata between salesforce.com organzations.