Fine-tuning the SQL Server database for Dynamics NAV

Before we discuss about fine-tuning the performance of the database for Dynamics NAV, it is important to discuss some key features of the Dynamics NAV application that comprise the core architecture of the application, and the majority of performance issues could be attributed to improper use or misuse of these features.

SIFT

In the Classic database server option, SIFT (Sum Index Flow Technology) is used to make the calculation of balances, sums, and so on. In any other database, this is normally done through calculations and could be a time-consuming process if there are thousands of records in the table. The SIFT data is stored in indexes, which are also called secondary keys in the Classic database server option. The balances based on the "secondary keys" are stored in separate indexes in the database. The programmer can define which fields need calculation by defining the SumIndexFields for the keys, as represented in the following...