Three Reasons Why Your Varicent Calcs Are Running Slow

It is three days before quarter end and your Varicent calculations are stuck at 72 percent. You refresh. Nothing moves. We have all been there. Here are three reasons this keeps happening and what you can do about it.

1. Data Volume

Like people, computers can only handle so much at once. If your calculation is processing tens or hundreds of millions of records at once, it is going to slow things down. Keep high volume calculations simple. Use unions and apply minimal logic where possible. If you need to include logic, consider splitting records early based on something like sale type, such as New Business versus Renewal, and bring the results together at the end. Lock your calculation results to prevent unnecessary reprocessing, and make sure to end date old calculations.

2. Complex Logic

This is similar to the high data volume issue. It is all about doing too much at once. Complex logic, especially when it involves OR restrictions or joining many data sources, can slow everything down. In many cases, an OR restriction could be its own dedicated calculation. Joining more than ten sources increases the risk of accidental cross joins and record explosions. Always join on primary keys to keep things clean and controlled.

3. Model Contension

This is probably the least common issue, but it does happen. Most systems share computing resources, so if two models calculate at the same time, they can slow each other down. This is especially noticeable when development models live on the same server and calculations are run simultaneously. It is usually the last thing to check, after you have optimized your logic and volume. Rare, but worth keeping in mind.

Final Note

If your Varicent calcs are running slow, there is always a reason. Start with the basics. Simplify your data, clean up your logic, and check your server load. A few small changes can save hours when it matters most. If you want a second set of eyes on your model, we are here to help.