RE Queue and Microsoft Server 2016

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Debra Holcomb
Debra Holcomb
Tenth Anniversary 100 Likes 100 Comments Photogenic
in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: General Discussion
Hi Self-Hosted Queue Users,


Our IT department migrated Raiser's Edge onto a new server with Microsoft Server 2016 software.  No other changes were made.  Since then automated Queue has not been functioning as designed.  First, automated queue were creating corrupted PDFs.  Once that was fixed, queue stopped running any automated queues. 


We've had senior level Blackbaud people helping our IT people with this with no luck.  Has anyone else had trouble like this?  How did you resolve it (or not)?  Can I share you name and organization with the Blackbaud people (Lee Aishlee) trying to help me to see if they can identify a pattern?


We all know automated queue is great when it works, but when it doesn't our lives become more difficult.  Blackbaud has invested no resources in Queue in years.  Since we all pay an annual fee for this module, we should work together to lobby and demand a better and more reliable queue experience.   


Please feel free to share any experiences.


Debra  
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Comments

  • Joshua Bekerman bCLO bCRE
    Joshua Bekerman bCLO bCRE
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Likes 500 Comments Name Dropper
    I've experienced a lot of issues over the years with Queue and always check a few things first, although I have no idea if these will help on 2016.  You've probably already gone through some of this with Blackbaud.


    What are you using queue to run?  Exports, reports, custom reports, etc.

    Are you able to run the queues manually?

    Do the scheduled queues run and give you an error message in an email notification?  Or do they not run at all? 


    Depending on your answers, some of the following might help, also things you have probably already looked at with Blackbaud:

    - Remove any queues that are still showing as Processing in "Show Scheduled Queues" window 

    - Install updates on the server if necessary and restart

    - In the task manager on the server, end all of the WinWord.exe processes.

    - If you are emailing with Queue, enter the email addresses manually, do not select them using the binoculars button/address book

    - Use a dedicated network and RE account for the Run As queue user.

    - Recreate the queue


     
  • Debra Holcomb
    Debra Holcomb
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Likes 100 Comments Photogenic


    Thanks, Joshua.  I knew
    I could count on your quick reply.


     


    Yes, to all of your questions below.  I’ve been successfully using queue
    for years to do a variety of things from emails to
    exports.  In this case,
    the problem seems to be related to the Microsoft Server 2016
    migration. 


     


    According to Blackbaud, “If you know for sure it wasn't occurring
    on the terminal server where the RE Queue service was installed
    previously, then it's likely a programmatic or compatibility issue
    with Windows Server 2016.    No one has reported
    any issues along this line previously on supported operating
    systems, and checking on the internet, there are a few reports of
    MAPI issues on Windows Server 2016 operating systems.”


     


    Great information from Blackbaud, but my queues still aren’t
    running.  I don’t
    believe Server 2016 is supported by Blackbaud yet, but we had not
    choice when we upgraded.


     


    Debra Holcomb


    Yosemite Conservancy


    dholcomb@yosemiteconservancy.org


    (415) 434-8446 ext. 319


     


    Yosemite Conservancy relies on the generosity of donors to provide
    for Yosemite’s future.  Please visit Yosemite Conservancy to make a gift today!
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    support. 


     





  • Heather MacKenzie
    Heather MacKenzie
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Photogenic

    Debra Holcomb:

    Hi Self-Hosted Queue Users,


    Our IT department migrated Raiser's Edge onto a new server with Microsoft Server 2016 software.  No other changes were made.  Since then automated Queue has not been functioning as designed.  First, automated queue were creating corrupted PDFs.  Once that was fixed, queue stopped running any automated queues. 


    We've had senior level Blackbaud people helping our IT people with this with no luck.  Has anyone else had trouble like this?  How did you resolve it (or not)?  Can I share you name and organization with the Blackbaud people (Lee Aishlee) trying to help me to see if they can identify a pattern?


    We all know automated queue is great when it works, but when it doesn't our lives become more difficult.  Blackbaud has invested no resources in Queue in years.  Since we all pay an annual fee for this module, we should work together to lobby and demand a better and more reliable queue experience.   


    Please feel free to share any experiences.


    Debra  

    I have also been having this same problem with our hosted RE, right down to the corrupted pdf files, and many hours have been spent on this with no real full resolution being able to happen.  My work around was to rebuild my queues based on the day of the week or the day of the month and then run them manually when I first get to work, check in on them once done reading my email, and then do whatever I do with the files that are created.  Not great, but it makes it work.  I have heard something that makes me think they are not going to put any more investment into Queue, either, since RE NXT has the SKY reporting, which "do the same thing, but better."  I'm not holding my breath.

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