Database with many publication, How to make snapshots for publications run faster I have a database that has about 200 filtered publications. When we run snapshots it drags down the merge processes and it takes a long time to recover because of the locks. 


Is there a way to create a snapshot on a busy database without slowing down the running subscriptions.
what would be the impact of snapshot isolation. ( I realize its not talking about the actual snapshot)
Here is one thing you can do to keep your database from getting pegged while a snapshot is in place:


Set up master -> slave replication. 
Use the slave replica for snapshots.


If you were to provide the flavor of SQL you are using as well as what mechanism you are using to create snapshots (i.e Xen, AWS, etc.), I might be able to provide a bit more context.