In the PLM field there is still not as much knowledge of the performance and scalability of SQL Server as in other vertical areas. SQL Server has continued to get better in both areas since the database was completely redesigned for version 7.0, breaking the final links with the previous Sybase version. Each version has brought better and better numbers, and as of now, SQL holds the best numbers on many manufacturing and product management real-life benchmarks.

The PTC benchmark that was conducted with Windchill on SQL Server 2005 showed excellent results. See PTC Windchill Running on Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for the details. Some other benchmark results include: the Camstar MES benchmark, showing that SQL scales to the largest systems (Camstar Testing Finds SQL Server 2005 Supports World-class Manufacturing Execution) , the London Stock Exchange trading system (London Stock Exchange Cuts Information Dissemination Time from 30 to 2 Milliseconds), Itron's Utility Meter Data Management system (just announced and shows highest scalability results). There are many more real-life case studies that can be found on the SQL Server pages at the Microsoft web site.

Some of the new features in SQL Server 2008 (the new version that is due to be released later this year) can be found at : Predictable performance and real-world scalability, and a white paper on achieving high performance and scalability can be found at White Paper: SQL Server 2008 Performance and Scale .

There is no longer any doubt that SQL Server can scale and perform at the highest levels. One of the best features of SQL Server is that most of these achievements are found at application migration, so little performance tuning needs to be done at the implementation site if the time has been spent by the development team to architect in performance. A lot of time was spent with the PTC development teams and the SQL Server performance teams to both test Windchill, but also to make the migration from other platforms as optimal as possible.

Take some time and download the following Performance and Scalability Flowchart found on the SQLCAT (SQL Customer Advisory Team) site: Troubleshooting SQL Server 2005/2008 Performance and Scalability Flowchart ; which will step you through a performance tuning methodology that should cover the majority of issues that might be encountered in SQL Server 2005/2008 implementations. This site has many blogs, articles, and best practices for performance and scalability with SQL Server.

This blog is provided by Sharon Bjeletich and does not reflect the views, opinion, or advice of Microsoft Corporation.