Improving Performance for GP or SL

Both of the Dynamics SL and GP product lines were developed as multi-tier applications. Simple stated you can install different portions of the software on different servers and gain performance improvements. Typically we see many sites starting off with all of the software loaded on one server. By setting up a separate server for dedicated use you can give improved performance to all of your users. Here are some examples where you get improved performance for Dynamic's software:

1. Sql server    
   1. Set up a dedicated server as a 64 byte operating system using the newest Sql version 2008
   2. Load up your Sql server with extra ram and dedicate as much ram to Sql as possible
   3. Use multiple hard drives to separate the application /system databases (ie xxx.mdf files) and a different server for the log files (xxx.ldf)
2. Load your Solomon software on a dedicated server (32 byte recommended)
3. Load all business portal application on separate servers.
4. Use hard drives with fast speeds for both spinning and data access
5. Minimize using your accounting servers for other purposes such as print services, terminal services etc. Put these services on different servers.
6. Buy hardware classified as server grade, minimize using desktop hardware as a server
7. Install a good amount of local ram on all servers; as the servers can use the ram for better performance.
8. Monitor your servers to make sure they have plenty of free space. Sql servers in particular literally can "die or choke" when they run out of hard drive space.
9. Upgrade your cabling/routers/nic cards to allow the faster network traffic

Hardware prices have never been as low as they are today. By improving your back end hardware, everyone who is using the Dynamics software will benefit. Accounting departments often tend to take the position, often, that if it is not broken, don't fix it. With additional workloads being but on all users of the Dynamics software due shrinking staff sizes, it is time to give your staff the benefits of improved software performance. With improved software performance, your staff can also do its work faster.

 

Regards,

Jeff Cozens