If what you mean by "active x package" is a Perl module that uses OLE/ADO to talk to SQL server (reading data, applying an algorithm, and writing data), then you can divide the problem up into pieces, and examine each for performance issues. Think isolation. Run one of the packages repetitively, examining for slowdowns. Then move on to the next. When you can provide a better characterization of the problem, post details and a small code sample that demonstrates the problem.