We’re running into a persistent issue with our automated training record update script in TrackWise 9.0. The script processes batches of 50-100 training records to update completion status and certification dates, but it’s failing randomly on locked records.
The error occurs when multiple users are accessing training records simultaneously during business hours. Our script doesn’t detect record locks before attempting the update, causing the entire batch to fail. We’ve tried implementing basic retry logic, but the timing seems off - sometimes records unlock within seconds, other times they stay locked for several minutes.
Here’s the core update logic:
for record in batch_records:
record.status = 'Complete'
record.cert_date = datetime.now()
session.save(record)
This is creating a backlog of incomplete training assignments and affecting our compliance reporting. What’s the best approach to handle record locking in batch automation scenarios? Should we implement a more sophisticated retry mechanism or restructure how we process these updates?
I’ve seen this exact scenario. The main issue is that TrackWise doesn’t release locks immediately when users navigate away from records. The lock can persist for 30-60 seconds even after the user closes the form. Your current approach tries to save without checking lock status first, which is why you’re hitting these failures.
You can use the record’s isLocked() method or check the lock_user field. But here’s a critical point - don’t just check once. Implement a polling mechanism with 3-5 retry attempts spaced 10-15 seconds apart. We found that most locks clear within 30 seconds, but some users leave records open during breaks. Also, log which users are causing the most locks - we discovered one department was opening 20+ records at once for review, creating a bottleneck. After training them to close records promptly, our automation success rate improved significantly.
Adding to what trackwise_dev_22 mentioned - batch timing is critical here. Instead of processing all 50-100 records in one shot, consider implementing a queue-based approach where you check each record’s lock status before attempting the update. If locked, push it to a retry queue with exponential backoff. This way, unlocked records get processed immediately while locked ones wait appropriately. We reduced our batch failure rate from 35% to under 5% using this method.
Have you looked into TrackWise’s built-in batch update functionality versus custom scripting? Sometimes the native batch operations handle locking more gracefully than external scripts.
Consider running your batch jobs during off-peak hours if possible. We schedule our training record updates for 6 AM when system usage is minimal. This isn’t always feasible for urgent compliance updates, but for routine certification renewals it works well.