Caching in OASIS

Introduction

Caching (pronounced “cashing”) is the process of storing replications of data that can be called for later use. OASIS provides the option for users to store replications of data on their local hard drive which can help users that are working wirelessly or via VPN retrieve data quicker. This article will cover the following topics:

• How Caching Works
• How to Enable Caching
• Issues with Caching

How Caching Works

Each time a user conducts a search listing or opens an entry in OASIS, they are generating a query. This query is sent to the database over the network to retrieve the data and then it is sent back up to OASIS as a result. Most of our users working in an office off the same network as the server hosting the database have no issues retrieving data this way. When a user begins to work remotely on a VPN, wireless, or other connection, data could be returned slower because they are making calls to the database over the internet. Caching can alleviate some of this slowness for remote users by storing data on their local hard drive, therefore allowing OASIS to retrieve previously called data from a file on their machine rather than calling the database.  

OASIS caches most information inside OASIS, besides transactions. Examples of transactions include:  

• Invoices 
• Quotes
• Orders 
• Payments 

Other information that tends to be more static, or unlikely to change from day-to-day, will be cached. Examples include:  

• Manufacturers
• Customers 
• Contacts 

How to Enable Caching 

Launch OASIS 

Navigate to the Configuration page. 

Select “Software”. 

Under the “Workstation Configuration” section, select "Preferences". 

The "Workstation Settings" window will appear. 

Select the "Database" tab 

To enable caching, check "Cache database calls" box. To disable caching, uncheck the box. 

Select “Ok”. 

 An alternate way to verify that caching is turned on and information is being cached is to look for the ConnectionCache folder on the machine.  

For Windows machines, use the following path to locate this folder: 

This PC\C:\Users\UserName\.oasis\ConnectionCache 

For Mac machines, follow the steps below to locate this folder. 

Open Finder by double-click the icon. 

Select the “Go” menu item at the top of the screen, and select “Home.” 

Select the “Go” menu item at the top of the screen, and select “Go to folder…” 

A search bar will appear. Type “.oasis” and select “Go.” 

Issues with Caching

There is potential for caching to cause some issues for users, specifically when attempting to make changes to a non-transaction, such as a manufacturer. If the information for a manufacturer had already been cached, OASIS will continue to retrieve the cached information until the ConnectionCache folder is cleared, rather than making a new call to the database. This can make it appear as though any changes made to the manufacturer entry is not saving, but the data was in fact committed to the database and it will appear as soon as a new call to the database is made. To clear the ConnectionCache folder, users will simply delete it.  

Users may also notice that the first time a call is made after caching is turned on or after the ConnectionCache folder is cleared, OASIS may return the results slowly. This is because OASIS must make a call to the database first before the information can be cache for later use. Once the information is cached, users should see an improvement in speed.