Estimate System Requirements

Listed on our website are the Compatibility and Minimum System Requirements topics. Any software versions not listed on those articles are to be assumed incompatible with Estimate unless explicitly stated elsewhere in the InEight software documentation.

Estimate will not function on any Home Editions of MS Windows, nor any version of Apple Mac OS.

Verifying the new Estimate Version

Before you install the latest version of Estimate, you need to confirm you are installing your company’s recommended version of Estimate.

Step by Step — Verifying Estimate version

Select the System tab.
Select the About Estimate option under the Help section.

Planning the Estimate Installation

To install Estimate, you must determine the client and server components necessary. You will also need to determine where the components will reside on the servers and workstations. Standalone installations reside on a single workstation. Smaller network installations typically employ one or a few servers along with a collection of workstations, each supporting one client. Large Enterprise installations require numerous, dedicated servers determined by CPU, network, database and storage needs. Most server components must be installed on systems that reside on a single, protected network. A few server components interact with workstations located across LAN/WAN boundaries. Installation of these components requires extra diligence considering system and network traffic exposure.

Administrative credentials are required to install, repair or upgrade any Estimate component.

Product licensing controls how modules operate but does not limit installation. Activation or changes to licensing may require administrative elevation. It is recommended that one obtain suitable licensing prior to starting the installation process.

Client Applications

Estimate Standalone Client - An isolated client whose executables and data reside on a single workstation. Standalone installation includes an option that may be used to install SQL Server Express Edition. While a more capable installation of SQL Server may be substituted, it is typically not necessary. Standalone clients do not interact with network-based Estimate services. A minimum standalone installation consists of 1) the Standalone Client and 2) Microsoft SQL Server Express. One host running Windows Professional is required.

Administrators should understand that the Standalone and Network Client installations are just two modes of operation. Differences lie in where user data is located and how that data may be shared. In the case of Standalone operation, all data and licensing must be constrained to the system where the client is installed. No user data is shared or synchronized.

Diligence must be exercised when transitioning a workstation between Network and Standalone modes of operation. The SQL Server instances involved inherently differ. User data that resides on one SQL Server instance must be manually taken offline, moved and later returned by a system administrator. Estimate makes no provisions for synchronizing user data during such changes. Incorrect actions taken may lead to a loss or overwrite of critical data. There is no magic undo pill, but Estimate does offer backup and archival functionality that one should always use before venturing down this path.

One or both of the following are required for multi-user, Estimate implementations:

Network Client is a full installation on each user’s workstation, interacting via one EstimateServer.
Remote Client fetches and dynamically installs Network client executables from one or moreEstimate Servers upon Remote client launch. If multiple servers are employed, they may bedifferent versions of InEight Estimate.

Estimate Network Client - A full, client whose purpose is to interact with Estimate Server and License Server, accessing advanced functionality and sharing data with other clients. Network Client installations do not need SQL Server locally installed on the client workstation. As such, no option to install SQL Server Express is provided when installing the Network Client.

User data resides with the Estimate Server or on a dedicated SQL Server accessed by Estimate Server. The Network Client never directly interacts with SQL Server.

Network Clients authenticate with the Estimate License Server (a Windows Service) upon launch. A minimum network installation consists of 1) the Network Client, 2) Estimate Server, 3) Estimate License Server and 4) Microsoft SQL Server. Two to four hosts (or more) running Windows Professional or Server are required.

Server Applications

Estimate Server - Facilitates collaborative use of Estimate clients. Interacts with SQL Server and exposes Estimate clients to advanced functionality in a network environment. Network traffic to and from Estimate Server is not encrypted nor has Estimate Server been hardened to support WAN-based operation. It must be installed on a host that resides entirely within a protected LAN.

License Server - Facilitates management and distribution of Estimate module licenses when running the Estimate application in a network environment. Network traffic to and from Estimate License Server is not encrypted nor has Estimate License Server been hardened to support WAN-based operation. It must be installed on a host that resides entirely within a protected LAN.

It is recommended that the Estimate Server and License Server be installed on a dedicated host to achieve optimal performance.

Installation Requirements

In addition to the Estimate installation package, what you’ll need depends upon the nature of your license, whether you’ll be installing in a Standalone, Small Network or Enterprise network environment. Enterprise installations can be quite complex and are not discussed in this document.

The Estimate Server is also required for Primavera Integration, Mobile Timesheets, and the Data Warehouse.

When installing the Estimate Server, you will have the option to install SQL Server 2014 Express Edition as the database for Estimate. You also have the option to not install SQL Server 2014 if you intend to use an installation of the full SQL Server for Estimate. It is recommended that the Estimate Application Server be a dedicated server for the Estimate application to achieve optimal performance.

Your client workstations and servers must meet or exceed the minimum system requirements. To view the minimum system requirements, visit the support site and review the Minimum System Requirements document.

Standalone Installation: