-- procedure to get item data;
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE get_item_data (item_no IN NUMBER,
                                           item_name OUT VARCHAR2, 
                                           open_orders OUT number) 
IS

BEGIN
  
  -- get all the base data. No problems here.
  item_name := 'Test';
  
  -- get open orders. This times out every now and then. 
  SELECT Sum(itemcount)
    INTO open_orders
    FROM orders
   WHERE status = 'O';

END;