Enabling the bulk-load feature of the DataDirect ODBC driver for SQL Server does not override the SAS default values for the READBUFF and INSERTBUFF options. This can result in performance being less than expected. Aligning the READBUFF and INSERTBUFF values with the DataDirect BulkLoadBatchSize setting seems to provide optimal performance. The ideal setting for these options varies by installation, but values in the range of 3,000–5,000 have been beneficial for several installations. If you use a READBUFF or INSERTBUFF value greater than 1,000, then you should increase the LIBNAME option DBCOMMIT= because its default value is 1,000.

To attain the driver that supports bulk loading, see SAS Note 41127: "SAS/ACCESS^® Interface to Microsoft SQL Server now supports bulk loading."