Managing storage efficiently is crucial for maintaining the performance and reliability of your Sage CRM system. Sage CRM gives administrators several options to optimize storage, manage log files, and fine-tune the database. This article outlines key strategies to help you free up disk space and improve overall system performance.
Managing Library Storage
The Sage CRM Library stores documents and files, and over time, it can grow significantly, consuming valuable disk space. Here’s how you can manage it effectively:
View and Manage Library Size
The Library Management feature allows you to monitor and manage storage usage. To access it:
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Navigate to Administration > Email and Documents > Library Management.
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Review the current storage limit and identify unnecessary items.
Delete Unnecessary Library Items
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Delete outdated or redundant library items to free up space.
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The storage capacity display updates automatically after deletions.
Allowlist File Name Extensions
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Restrict the file types users can upload by configuring an allowlist.
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Prevent non-essential files from taking up valuable storage.
Reducing Database Size
Over time, communication records can accumulate, leading to database bloat. Sage CRM allows administrators to reduce database size by mass deleting communication records.
Hard Deleting Communication Records
To permanently delete old communication records:
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Back Up the Database: Always create a backup before deletion.
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Log in as a System Administrator.
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Navigate to Administration > Data Management > Hard Delete Communications.
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Select a date in the "Delete all communication records last updated before" field.
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Confirm that you have backed up the database and acknowledge the permanent deletion.
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Click Delete to remove the records.
This process permanently removes records, so a backup is critical for data recovery.
Managing Log Files and Database Performance
Proper log file management and database tuning can significantly improve system efficiency.
Managing Log Files
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Delete Old Log Files: Schedule tasks using Windows Task Scheduler to remove logs older than a specified period.
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Change Log File Location: Use the
mklinktool to create a directory junction and move log files to another storage location.
Database Optimization
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Optimize SQL Queries: Ensure indexes are properly set for fields used in Keyword Search views.
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Rebuild Indexes: Include index rebuilding in regular maintenance plans to improve performance.
Configuring Library Location
Moving the Sage CRM Library to a separate server can help manage storage efficiently.
Steps to Change Library Location
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Navigate to Administration > Email and Documents > Documents & Reports Configuration.
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Click Change to modify the library location.
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Enter the network path for mail-merged documents and document templates.
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Ensure the path ends with a backslash (
\) for correct formatting. -
Click Save to apply changes.
While this does not free up space on the Sage CRM server itself, it offloads storage to another machine, reducing the storage burden.
Archiving Database Backups
If your database resides on the same server as Sage CRM, archiving backups to a different machine is a best practice.
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This prevents backups from consuming space on the application server.
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It enhances disaster recovery planning by maintaining copies on a separate machine.
Database Shrinking Considerations
Although shrinking a database can free up space, it may cause fragmentation, impacting performance. Instead of frequent shrinking, consider:
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Regularly reorganizing and rebuilding indexes.
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Performing transaction log backups.
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Shrinking the database only when absolutely necessary.
Summary
Efficient storage and database management in Sage CRM helps ensure optimal system performance. By following best practices for managing the library, reducing database size, handling log files, and tuning the database, administrators can maintain a lean and efficient Sage CRM environment. Implement these strategies to enhance your system’s performance and longevity.