SQL Server performance tuning

	Professional Database Developers
Aldex Software Ltd.

Introduction

If your application is running slowly, either overall or just in one particular area, you will probably benefit from some judicious performance tuning.

There are many reasons for slow performance including weak design, inefficient queries, poor use of indexes, fragmented data and out of date statistics.

With all performance issues the problems tend to get worse as the data volumes grow. Small numbers of records will usually mask performance issues; in many situations it does not matter if a job takes 0.01 seconds or 0.2 seconds. However when data volumes grow and this is scaled up the difference between 1 second and 200 seconds becomes much more significant!

Performance can also get worse over time, even if the data volumes are relatively static. This is usually because of data fragmentation caused by inserting records into full 'leaves' and can be rectified by re-indexing.

Potential Areas Some of the areas that we can assist with include ....
	Analysing performance and establishing bottlenecks and their causes.
	Rework of the client application to migrate processing to the server or reduce network traffic.
	Identification and rewriting of inefficient SQL queries.
	Redesign of inefficient Stored Procedures/Views/User Defined Functions.
	Analysing Execution Plans and modifying accordingly.
	Investigating the use of indexes and adding or modifying where appropriate. Also checking that the optimum column has been used for each table's clustered index.
	The use of Performance Monitor to analyse traffic and optimising where relevant.
	Re-indexing tables to remove fragmentation.
	Checking that the Fill Factors are appropriate for the current use of the application.
	Evaluating SQL Server configuration parameters; for example memory settings.
	Evaluating the database design, field types, etc.
	Analysing the server environment (hardware, other applications running on the server, etc.) and making appropriate recommendations.

What To Do Next...
Please contact us if you are having performance problems. Many issues can be sorted out with a single days on-site visit. Please click here for our contact details.

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