One of the most common causes for vpasp sites running slowly is that the "prodcategories" table is not properly indexed. By indexing relevant columns on that table you can sometimes speed your site (especially product-search aspects) 10-fold or more. It's surprising how something so minor can have such a positive/large effect.

The prodcategories table is a matrix table that holds the cross-referenced list of products and categories (ie it records which products are in which categories) and it's potentially a very large table because of this matrix aspect.

If you've got an access database, then you need to ensure that you set the following index options on these 2 prodcategories columns:

To do that you will need to open your cart's .mdb (access database) file in access itself (as you can't add access indexes via sql statements) and set those options manually on the prodcategories' table's column definitions.

If you're using a sqlserver database, then you need to do the same thing, except you'd use your host's web-based front-end to add 2 new indexes to the table, one new index on each of those columns, set to non-unique.

There are various other options which can be done to help tune things, but those would just be looked at on a site-by-site basis; everyone will have a different setup/situation, so it's hard to have generic fixes for tuning.

If you have a large number of records (especially in the prodcategories table or oitems table) then you should consider moving from access to sqlserver.

Multiple concurrent visitors is another potential problem for access databases; if you have a large number of concurrent (simultaneous) visitors then you should definitely consider moving to sqlserver, as access was never really designed for more-than-one user (it was just bolted-on as an afterthought as time went on in the past)

From 1st May 2009 onwards we changed the way that we deal with all issues & requests to make our charging policies straightforward, administratively efficient and fair to all parties. We now ask customers and clients to pay a deposit on any work they need doing. Following on from some very bad experiences where we have been left with large bad debts, due to no fault of our own, we decided to implement a system of points which are paid for in advance of work starting.

In addition we also reviewed our support and installation policies because a small number of customers, were absorbing a large amount of time and resources unfairly (for example trying to get answers to complex integration questions/issues on heavily customized sites, expecting us to resolve unrelated issues etc) to the detriment of other customers.

We also decided to introduce differential points rates so that we could provide, installation services, emergency response, development and support when needed as priority.

We will, of course, provide installation / bug fix support for all our software. If you have a general/simple question, we'll do our best to answer it within 24 hours without you having to have a points credit. However, if it is an integration issue with, for example, your site's custom code and the issue starts to get complex and time consuming then you'll need you to buy some points to help us cover our costs.

If you have a points credit then things will be addressed as priority. If you don't have a points credit then the more complex questions will be addressed on an as/when/if time-allows basis and if it's too complex or involves code development or in-depth analysis then we won't be able to proceed further without a points credit.

Having a points balance ensures that you will receive priority attention and a quick turn around.

We will, of course, notify you at the first possible opportunity if we feel your request should be chargeable.

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with the charges / services provided then we have a complaints resolution service, details of which are included in our terms of business which can be downloaded from here.

We will provide software support, estimates, advice on upgrades etc. and we will try to respond to those as quickly as we can free of charge - usually within 24 hours during the working week.

Chargeable items are where you need to have a points credit before we can proceed, and if you have a points credit then (if appropriate) the time will be deducted from your points balance and the response will be quick.

a) Complex Estimates (involving in-depth analysis) - if your request/situation is a complex one and you want a very detailed breakdown of the precise steps needed to fulfill your request, or needs us to delve heavily into the site before we can get an estimate, then this may be considered as analysis and therefore charged.

b) BYZ Addon Support - for complex addon support (eg complex configuration, templates, integration etc) we consider that to be development rather than addon support and so will be charged via points.

c) Analysis/Development - analysis can often be as time consuming (if not more sometimes) than implementing the solution and if a significant amount of analysis is required we will need to charge for the time involved.

d) Hands on support / consulting - often done via skype chat windows, where we talk to you and explain how a given addon or customisation can be used/configured etc.

For reasons of problem management we can only respond to support requests raised via our support system. Please do not email BYZ staff with support related issue as this may result in our response to your issue being delayed or mislaid and neither you or us wants that.