SQL Server Performance Tuning

SQL Server performance tuning finds out why your database applications are slow and fixes the cause, not the symptom. We analyze where SQL Server actually spends its time, from wait statistics and execution plans to indexing, blocking and the hardware underneath, and work with your team and your software vendors to fix it.

When to call us

  • Applications or reports have become slow, and nobody can say why.
  • Performance dropped after an upgrade, a migration, a patch or a new application release.
  • Users see timeouts, blocking or deadlocks at peak times.
  • Nightly jobs or loads no longer finish in time.
  • You are about to buy more hardware or cloud capacity and want to know whether it will help.

What we analyze

Wait statisticsWhere SQL Server waits: CPU, I/O, locking, memory, network or parallelism.
Top queriesThe statements that cost the most CPU, reads and duration, and how that changes over time.
Execution plansScans, lookups, wrong estimates, implicit conversions and plan regressions, with Query Store where available.
Indexes and statisticsMissing, unused and duplicate indexes, outdated statistics and maintenance that does more harm than good.
Blocking and deadlocksBlocking chains, deadlock graphs, isolation levels and long-running transactions.
Parameter sensitivityQueries that are fast for some values and slow for others, and plan cache problems.
TempDBAllocation contention, file layout and the workloads that drive tempdb usage.
Instance configurationMemory, parallelism, NUMA and other settings that limit throughput.
Storage and I/OLatency per file and drive, file layout and growth settings.
Database codeStored procedures, functions and access patterns, reviewed together with your developers or vendor.
Columnstore, In-Memory OLTP and batch modeWhere these features pay off for reporting, loading or high-throughput workloads, and how to introduce them safely.
ERP and vendor applicationsTuning for packaged applications, within what the vendor supports.

How it works

  1. Triage call: what is slow, since when, and what has changed.
  2. Data collection: read-only, remotely through an access path your team approves, ideally during the slow period.
  3. Root-cause analysis: we find the cause and estimate the effect of each fix.
  4. Fixes and recommendations: quick wins first, then, depending on the root cause, indexing, code, configuration or hardware changes, prioritized by impact and effort. We implement them with your team, or guide your team, depending on your needs. We also have extensive experience working directly with application vendors.
  5. Verification: we measure again to confirm the improvement.

What you receive

  • A clear explanation of the root cause, with the evidence.
  • A prioritized list of fixes, with the expected effect and effort for each.
  • Concrete changes: index and statistics changes, query and code recommendations for your developers or vendor, configuration changes, and hardware or sizing guidance.
  • A before-and-after comparison once the fixes are in.

Not sure where to start? A SQL Server Health Check covers configuration, performance, backup and high availability for a fixed price.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my SQL Server slow?

The most common causes are a few expensive queries with poor execution plans, missing or unsuitable indexes, outdated statistics, blocking, and configuration or storage limits. The wait statistics show which of these applies to your system, and that is where we start.

Will more hardware fix it?

Sometimes, but often not. If the cause is a poor execution plan or blocking, more CPU or memory changes little. We tell you before you buy whether hardware will help, and how much.

Do you change anything on our servers?

Data collection only reads. Every change is agreed with your team first. We implement it with you, or leave it to your team or your vendor, whichever you prefer.

Can you help when the code belongs to a software vendor?

Yes. We document the problem with evidence and work with your vendor on the fix. Many improvements, such as indexes, statistics and configuration, are possible without changing vendor code.

What does performance tuning cost?

It depends on your requirements and the size of your environment. You get a fixed-scope proposal before any work starts.

Is your SQL Server slow?

Tell us what is slow and since when. We’ll suggest the fastest way to find the cause.

Request a Performance ReviewBook a 20-Minute Call