When our consultants at Blue Ocean Systems work with clients to implement an SAP Business One solution, they plan for superior performance from the start and follow through the post-implementation phase with guidance and assistance on ensuring that system performance remains at a high or optimum level. This week, we review some of the factors that may impact the optimal use of SAP Business One.
1st Factor: Suitable Systems Landscape Settings for Optimum SQL Server Performance
During the infrastructure planning stage of the project, it is critical to understand the impact of certain options and settings that will affect the performance of the MS-SQL database server.
For the benefit of our readers, we have highlighted some of the key points:
- Set SQL Maximum Server memory to between 70% – 80% of physical RAM available to the database server in the basic MS-SQL server configuration
- Enable Lock Pages in Memory feature for 64 bit operating system with mounted SQL server as part of the Windows group policy
- Calibrate the Maximum Degree of Parallelism (MAXDOP) value in SQL server properties to optimize system performance – ideally done prior to Go Live
- Set up separate disks for your transaction and log files – since a majority of bottlenecks originate from storage or Disk I/O
- Place SQL server log files on RAID 10 (or RAID 1) arrays rather than RAID 5
- Locate your TEMPDB on a RAID 1 configured disc for performance. Disable auto-shrink DB setting.
- Split your tempdb into multiple files based on the number of cores on your SQL Server (e.g. a ratio of 1 file per 2 cores, so in a dual quad core CPU system you would have 4 files)
- Size your tempdb files correctly so they do not autogrow
- Utilise Direct Attached Storage (DAS) rather than Network Attached Storage (NAS) due to the potential speed degradation of network storage and poor data transfer rates and throughput
- Avoid using SQL data on a network attached storage subsystem – the data transfer rate is too slow
The selected hardware will be a key component of your solution investment so getting the most out of your budget is imperative. Choosing less than optimal options will most likely result in poor system performance and frustration amongst users as well as further outlays in the future.
Our consultants can guide you through this process to help you get the most out of your hardware.
Learn more about troubleshooting your SQL Server performance.
2nd Factor: Code Clutter
The SAP Business One Software Developers Kit (SDK) is a fantastic tool to enhance the capabilities of both the DI API (Data Interface API) and the UI (User Interface) API. But overusing it can contribute to poor system performance. One simple tip can be reviewing your current use of add-ons.
Whilst add-ons (or complementary solutions) are key features of SAP Business One, an organisation using too many on a single platform will soon experience problems due to the mass of code needed. Each add-on uses memory, even in a cloud environment, and the more code used to create new add-ons, the quicker these issues will come to light.
To avoid or minimise this, speak to all parties within your organisation who are responsible for requesting add-ons. Activate add-ons for databases only where they are needed and also only for users that require them. Where these can be combined, they should be.
3rd Factor: Proliferation of Formatted Searches
The sophisticated formatted search feature in SAP Business One provide users the ability to perform data manipulations and calculations based on data values retrieved via SQL Server or displayed on an SAP Business One screen (e.g. sales). Whilst a useful and powerful tool, each search takes up space on the server especially when the calculations increase in their complexity.
The answer? Utilise the tools you have at your disposal and understand their versatility. Don’t keep relying on the same tool because you think it’s easier. For example, instead of using a formatted search, could a customised report provide you with the same result?
There are a myriad of different processes which can impact your SAP Business One performance and as new technology is developed, more issues may arise. But with the right knowledge and guidance from a trusted SAP Business Partner, you can minimise these risks from day one.
Speak to one our SAP Business One consultants today.
Credits: Based on comments published previously by Richard Duffy, SAP Business One Evangelist