IBM Support

How to reduce "Out Of Memory" errors when using Excel Link and ERO, by using BULKCOMPRESS

Troubleshooting


Problem

User is receiving "Out Of Memory" errors when using the Excel link. They have tried other methods to solve the problem (e.g. enable Optimise2 / ERO) but they still get errors. Are there any other improvements that they can enable?

Symptom

The error messages will vary (between Controller versions and Microsoft Excel versions) but generally they will include one of the following:
  • System.OutOfMemoryException
  • Out Of Memory

Cause

There are many potential causes for out of memory errors when using the Excel link.
  • For more examples, see separate IBM Technote #1406746.

This Technote specifically relates to the scenario where the customer is already using ERO (also known as "Optimise2") but the spreadsheet is so complex that it also needs to benefit from "BULKCOMPRESS" being enabled in the system.
  • BULKCOMPRESS is a technology available in all recent versions of Controller, where it compresses the data (on the client side) before sending to the application server.

IMPORTANT:
  • Enabling BULKCOMPRESS will cause extra strain on the client device (during the compression)
    • This additional workload can therefore slow down the report
  • The delay will vary depending on client device specification etc.
    • In one real-life example the report ran approximately 15% slower when BULKCOMPRESS was enabled (190 seconds compared with 161 seconds)
    • In a different real-life example (using Controller 10.4.1 and Oracle) the report ran over twice as slow (290 seconds compared to 105 seconds).
  • BULKCOMPRESS only works when ERO/Optimise2 is enabled.

Environment

Controller 8.2 sp12 (8.2.398) or later.

Resolving The Problem

Create a new server preference called BULKCOMPRESS with a value of "TRUE" for each database where you want to enable bulk compress technology.

Steps:
  1. Launch Controller and logon to database
  2. Click "Maintain - Configuration - General"
  3. Click tab "Server Preferences"
  4. Create a new entry with a 'Variable Name' of BULKCOMPRESS with a value of TRUE
  5. Save changes and restart Controller
  6. Test.

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Document Information

Modified date:
29 October 2019

UID

swg21588640

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