Help

Guide to Diagnose and Troubleshoot Network Performance Issues

Modified: 18 Aug 2026 Estimation Desktop
Not version-specific
Estimation Desktop

Overview

While performance issues in Trimble Estimation are most common in networked environments, these troubleshooting steps also apply to standalone setups.

Initial Diagnosis & Environment Check

  1. Identify the Connection Method:

    • Standard: Workstation client (workstationsetup.exe) accessing a server share via UNC path (\\servername\sharename) over a wired connection.

    • Legacy: Workstations accessing the server via a mapped drive letter (e.g., L:\).

    • Note: Wireless (Wi-Fi) and VPN connections are not recommended and naturally cause poor performance.

  2. Set Expectations: Networked installations are inherently slower than standalone versions.

  3. Isolate the Slowness: Pinpoint the exact actions that are lagging, and check if the slowness affects all workstations, specific users, or the server itself.

Troubleshooting Routing Guide

  • Issue: Only the Job List is slow (launching Estimation or returning to the Main Menu from Takeoff/Summary)

    • Action: Perform Step 1. If unresolved, proceed through the remaining steps.

  • Issue: The program is slow directly on the server

    • Action: Resolve performance issues on the server first using the steps below. Only troubleshoot workstations after server performance improves. If the server is fast but workstations are slow, apply all steps to the workstations.

  • Issue: Performance was fine, then recently degraded

    • Action: Start with Step 3. Check for recent changes around the time performance dropped (e.g., new software, updates, or changes to antivirus software).

  • Issue: Performance has always been slow

    • Action: Start with Step 2.

  • Issue: Slowness occurs specifically in Mechanical or HVAC Takeoff on large sections (>5,000 entries)

Troubleshooting Steps

Step 1: Reduce the Active Job List Size The time it takes to launch Estimation or return from Takeoff/Summary directly depends on how many jobs are displayed. Reduce the list size using one of these methods:

  • Option A — Set Jobs to Inactive (Recommended): In Job Manager, check the box to set finished jobs to Inactive. This hides them from the main list without deleting them. They can be reactivated at any time.

  • Option B — Backup, Delete, and Purge:

    1. Backup first: Go to Jobs > Save Job (and Digital Takeoff if applicable) to export a .zip copy to a safe location (network share, cloud, flash drive).

    2. Delete: Right-click the job and select Delete.

    3. Purge: Go to Jobs > Purge Deleted Jobs to permanently remove the files. (Note: Purged jobs cannot be recovered without a backup).

Step 2: Verify Hardware Requirements

  • Run dxdiag.exe on both server and workstations.

  • Search the Support Center for "Hardware Requirements" and confirm all systems meet or exceed the minimum specs.

Step 3: Configure Antivirus & Security Software Real-time scanning by antivirus/antimalware tools (e.g., Symantec, McAfee, Defender, Malwarebytes, CCleaner) is the leading cause of slowness.

  • Test: Temporarily disable real-time scanning to check for performance improvements.

  • Add Exclusions: Add folder/path exclusions in your antivirus software on both the server and workstations for:

    • Mapped drive letter (e.g., L:\)

    • UNC network path (e.g., \\servername\sharename)

    • Local installation directory:

      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Viewpoint\MEP Estimating or

      • C:\Program Files\Estimation\Logistics

Step 4: Trust the Mapped Drive in Windows

  1. Open Windows Search, type inetcpl.cpl, and press Enter.

  2. Go to the Security tab > select Local Intranet > click Sites.

  3. Click Advanced. Uncheck Require server verification (https:)... if enabled.

  4. Add the mapped drive letter to Add this website to the zone and click Add (it will auto-convert to a UNC path).

  5. Click Close and OK to save.

Step 5: Verify Network Card Speed

  1. Navigate to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

  2. Double-click the active wired adapter to view its Status.

  3. Ensure Speed is at least 100 Mbps. (Note: Wi-Fi connections often do not meet performance standards).

Step 6: Run Network Transfer Speed Tests Transfer a ~1 GB file back and forth between the server and workstation.

  • Benchmark: Must complete in 4 minutes or less per 1 GB.

  • If transfers take longer, escalate to an IT professional to inspect network throughput.

Step 7: Check Disk Space & Compression

  • Disk Space: Ensure at least 5 GB of free space on both workstation and server hard drives.

  • Disk Compression: Right-click the drive, select Properties, and ensure Compress this drive to save disk space is disabled. (Note: Compressed folders appear with blue text).

Step 8: Disable Offline Files & Sync Software

  • Offline Files: Open Control Panel > Sync Center and verify Make Files Available Offline is disabled for mapped/network drives.

  • Sync Services: Ensure cloud syncing software (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive) is not actively syncing the Estimation installation directory or network share.

Step 9: Check Windows Event Viewer Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) and check Windows Logs > Application and System for errors related to network drops or hard drive degradation.

Step 10: Document Takeoff & Hardware Variables Gather details on the following factors to assist further troubleshooting:

  • Are physical input devices (PowerPad, Digitizer) connected? (Note connection type and model).

  • Is the onscreen keypad (eKeyPad) active during Takeoff?

  • Are voice prompts enabled in Takeoff?

Step 11: Escalate to Trimble Support If performance remains slow after completing all steps above:

  1. Run Windows Process Monitor (ProcMon) from Microsoft and record a log during the slow action.

  2. Run the Estimation Application Log Viewer (ES8DEBUG). (Search the Knowledge Base for "Application Log Viewer" for details).

  3. Complete the Pre-Support Performance Checklist below

  4. Contact Trimble Support.

Pre-Support Performance Checklist

Complete the questionnaire below, then contact Trimble Support.

Version?

What Trimble Estimation Desktop Version is in use?

Server Installation Type?

  • UNC Path \\servername\sharename (version 11.0 and newer only)?
  • Mapped drive Letter?

Type of Connection?

  • LAN via hard-wired connection
  • LAN via wireless connection (WiFi)
  • Viewpoint for Cloud
  • 3rd party Cloud
  • Remotely via VPN
  • RDP, Terminal Services, Citrix or other Thin Client
  • Are their multiple Terminal Services in use with Load Balancing? Does the performance differ depending on which Terminal serve is used? 

Program Areas Impacted?

  • Initial launching of Estimation (during loading plug-ins, etc.)
  • Displaying the job list for the Main View (initial launch & returning from Takeoff, Summary, etc.)
  • Takeoff on large (5,000+ items) sections for Mechanical or HVAC
  • Access to SQL functions (launching DTO, annotations in Takeoff)
  • Overall the program is slow for all functions

Additional Questions

  • Did the performance suddenly and dramatically get slow? If so, did it coincide with any known change?
  • Did the performance degrade over time?
  • Was it always slow?
  • Are all workstations slow?
  • Are the same functions slow when run directly at the server?
  • Input devices in use? (PowerPad, Digitizer)
  • On Screen or eKeypad in use?
  • Voice Prompts in use? 
  • How many jobs are in the Job List?
  • Does Anti-virus have exceptions at workstation and server?
  • Do the workstation and server meet published minimums?
  • Is there adequate free hard drive space on the workstation and server?
  • Is the speed of the workstations network adapter at least 100 mbps?
  • Are offline files configured to include the server location?
  • Is other syncing software (One Cloud, Drop Box, MediaFire, etc.) configured to sync the server location?
  • Are the files compressed on the mapped drive or server\share?
  • Are there any corresponding entries on Windows Event Viewer or Windows Process Monitor?
  • Was the Estimation Desktop Application Log Viewer captured?
  • What were the results of the Timing Test? (see below)

Timing Test

For copying files, 1 gb of data per 4 minutes is the benchmark. For those installations that are utilizing a mapped drive, be sure to navigate to the mapped drive and not the UNC Path at the server.

  • __________ Copy 1 gb data from server UNC Path or mapped drive to the same location
  • __________ Copy 1 gb data from server UNC Path or mapped drive to the Workstation Desktop
  • __________ Copy 1 gb data from workstation desktop to server UNC Path or mapped drive
  • __________ Launch Estimation to Login screen
  • __________ From Login to Main View (Job List)
  • __________ From Main View (Job List) to Open Section Screen
  • __________ From Open Section Screen to Takeoff and/or Digital Takeoff is fully loaded 
Submit