Transaction optimization during periods of peak activity

A computer program product to prevent overloading of a transaction processing system, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied therein, the computer-usable program code configured to perform the following when executed by at least one processor:

• establish, for a transaction processing system, a maximum number of transactions that the transaction processing system can optimally handle at a time, as well as an optimal transaction rate;
• monitor a current number of transactions being processed by the transaction processing system;
• when the current number exceeds the maximum number, divert incoming transactions into a queue;
• release transactions from the queue to the transaction processing system in accordance with the optimal transaction rate;
• monitor a number of transactions waiting in the queue;
• when the number reaches an upper threshold, decline to admit additional transactions into the queue;
• and
• when the number reaches a lower threshold, admit additional transactions into the queue.

A system to prevent overloading of a transaction processing system, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory device operably coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions for execution on the at least one processor, the instructions causing the at least one processor to:
• establish, for a transaction processing system, a maximum number of transactions that the transaction processing system can optimally handle at a time, as well as an optimal transaction rate;
• monitor a current number of transactions being processed by the transaction processing system;
• when the current number exceeds the maximum number, divert incoming transactions into a queue;
• release transactions from the queue to the transaction processing system in accordance with the optimal transaction rate;
• monitor a number of transactions waiting in the queue;
• when the number reaches an upper threshold, decline to admit additional transactions into the queue;
• and
• when the number reaches a lower threshold, admit additional transactions into the queue.