well, it's been a long time since i've used vss, i must admit. i've used pvcs vm for seven years, and am now implementing a merant dimensions infrastructure. i've been doing conversions from vss, but i don't know specifics on fetch by label.

i can, however, help you modify your PerformSS subroutine to make it safer, and more robust. using IPC::Run will give you better control over std(in|out|err). passing system a list instead of a scalar will make the subroutine safer. here's an example:

#!/usr/bin/perl
use strict;
use warnings;
$|++;

use IPC::Run qw/run timeout/;

sub PerformSS 
{
    my( $self, @cmdArgs )= @_;
   
    my $status;
    $self->trace("--- PerformSS did not $cmd ---\n")
        unless $self->doSS;

    $status= run ( 'ss', @cmdArgs )
        => \my( $in, $out, $err )
        => timeout(10);

    $self->checkError($status => <<ERROR };
PerformSS $cmd failed: 
  status: $status
  stdout: $out
  stderr: $err
ERROR

    $self->trace("--- completed $cmd ---\n");
    return ( $status, $out, $err );
}

my @result= $self->PerformSS( 'get' => 
    '$/project', 
    '-R', '-I-Y', 
    qq{-V"$label"}
);
[download]

Notes:

• this code is untested, but it's passed my in-head compiler.
• i've taken the liberty of formatting it the way i code, including fat commas, uncuddled braces, spacing, parameter passing methods, etc.
• i've also changed both the input and output to the PerformSS method. it expects a list as input, to secure the system command (via IPC::Run,) and it returns a list including the status, stdout, and stderr for the caller to handle (if it needs it.)
• this info is no longer written to an errorfile--an errorfile that was already a package global, anyway, so there's one less use of a global var, which is considered (by some) a Good Thing, especially in OO code like yours.

your mileage may vary, but IPC::Run is a powerful module that i use in all my automation when i'm working beyone the capabilities of system and qx{}.

to diagnose the vss errors, i suggest you create a small script (like this one) that uses IPC::Run to test both methods, and inspect the results carefully. you'll have to find a vss forum for more expert help. perhaps http://www.experts-exchange.com/ has a forum for that?

~Particle *accelerates*