An Alternative to SQL Database Replication

Written by Steve Stockstill

For years I have lamented the problematic issues surrounding Time Matters SQL replication, especially for sites using Billing Matters. My concerns revolve around the lack of documentation and support provided by LexisNexis when setting up synchronization. Additionally, LexisNexis has historically not tested the effects of code changes on database replication. Appropriately managed replication deployments can be very costly for end users, and require ongoing maintenance by a knowledgeable team of professionals.

Desktop Virtualization is a relatively new solution that is worth considering as an alternative to conventional database replication. We have all used Remote Desktop, Citrix, LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, and other remote desktop sharing applications. These solutions have laid the foundation for a new class of remote desktop virtualization products. In fact, many firms have been using server virtualization for several years.

Desktop virtualization consists of encapsulating and delivering either access to an entire information system environment or the environment itself to a remote client device. The client device may be based upon an entirely different hardware architecture than that used by the projected desktop environment, and may also be based upon an entirely different operating system. – Wikipedia

Yes, we can now offer Mac (and Linux) fans a better alternative to the existing painful alternatives to running TM on their Mac VM. Firms are beginning to consider desktop virtualization as a viable alternative to “single solution” Practice Management cloud offerings. The fact that “hosted desktop virtualization” providers are starting to surface makes the alternative especially compelling. In other words, the firm has no hardware requirements for hosting the virtual desktops.

Desktop virtualization will extend the longevity of legacy applications like Time Matters.

Companies offering desktop virtualization products are growing both in number and popularity. A few of the existing offerings are as follows:

NOTE: Many of these providers will reference the term VDI which stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. VDI refers to the hardware and software systems that together create the virtualized desktop infrastructure.

Microsoft VDI Suite
http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/en/us/products-desktop.aspx

Citrix Xen Desktop 4
http://www.citrix.com/English/ps2/products/product.asp?contentID=163057&ntref=footer

MokaFive
http://www.mokafive.com/products/products-overview.php

Parallels VDI
http://www.parallels.com/solutions/vdi/

RingCube
http://www.ringcube.com/portal/content/

Sun VDI
http://www.sun.com/solutions/vdi/index.jsp

VMWare View 4
http://vmware.com/products/view/overview.html

Pano Logic
http://www.panologic.com/

Announcing Google Connect 4TM

Written by Steve Stockstill

We are pleased to announce the launch of our latest development effort, Google Connect 4TM. In keeping with our mission, GC4TM continues to extend Time Matters beyond physical barriers by creating connectivity with Google cloud applications such as Google Calendar and Google Contacts.

Currently in limited beta release, Google Connect 4TM will be available for a broader community beta release starting March 1st, 2010. If you would like to participate in this final round of beta testing please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SQL Server Performance Problem

Written by Steve Stockstill

I recently assisted a CIC with identifying a severe performance problem that was manifesting in Time Matters Enterprise. The problem turned out to be an issue with SQL Server and the Server OS. This problem specifically relates to running SQL Server 64 bit (2005 or 2008) and Windows Server 2003 64 bit.

THE SYMPTOMS:
1. Inexplicable poor performance using Time Matters (occurring intermittently).
2. The SQL Server log will have this message:

A significant part of sql server process memory has been paged out. This may result in a performance degradation.

3. The Windows Event log will throw an "Information" event with ID 17890.

THE CURE:
As it turns out, a gracious consultant has contributed a detailerd explanation and solution for the problem. In essence, the Operating System is stealing too much RAM from SQL Server for system caching. Adding more RAM may put the problem off longer but it will eventually happen again. You can read his post and the solution to the problem on the following URL:

https://msmvps.com/blogs/omar/archive/2007/09/19/a-significant-part-of-sql-server-process-memory-has-been-paged-out-this-may-result-in-performance-degradation.aspx

Maybe this will save you some time in the future!

Missing Data in Time Matters

Written by Steve Stockstill

It’s not a matter of if, but when this problem will manifest at one of your client’s sites. The characteristics of this problem manifest such that you can log into Time Matters, navigate to main lists, but the main lists are empty (see below).

This has become a very common problem now that the SQL based version of Time Matters has entered the mainstream. From my experience, the following two problems are the most likely culprits:

1. The Time Matters database owner has inadvertently been given an improper server role (see below). The only option needed is Public.

2. The Time Matters database owner’s schema is inappropriately configured for the wrong database user (see below). The schema must be the same as the database user.

What causes this to happen? From my experience it happens when firms move their database and attempt to reconnect the database user. It has happened when other problems exist and folks start clicking on options without testing the impact of each new option they try.

More Articles...