A few ideas: 

One thing the article didn't address is the size of your data files.  At year end, Sage recommends you move files from current to history.  Reports that you run based on the current transaction files should populate quicker because there is less data to go through.  Also, in the Data File Selection screen, if you choose current transations and history transactions, the report will take longer. 

The last time we had slow performance was Version 17 and it showed up more in Tasks taking a long time to open.  KB 542013 was the solution.   

Since the server is new, have you checked the workstation requirements for the version?

We move closed jobs to a different company folder after year-end every year.  I am only using current transactions.  Yes I have verified workstation requirements for the new server.  What doesn't make any sense it that report run so fast on the server.  Most of the reports I am testing are for 1 job.  We only have 3 users that are working in Sage at a time, others only run reports occasionally. I just tested the standard report - Committed Cost with Detail - on my workstation it took 5 minutes, directly on the server as soon as I hit Preview the report loaded.  That makes no sense, something is not right. 

I think the server is always faster than the workstations, but it's not really noticeable and that makes the workstations suspect.  Really out of my comfort zone at this point.  But here's a bit more I feel ok with:  Sage System Verification may give you some indication of problems.  File Doctor fix and compact may help, too - but backup first.  I know our system all feeds into a patch panel and I would wonder if the whole panel could go bad?  It's like the communication is the issue.  Try knowledgebase and search communication.   Here are a couple:

https://support.na.sage.com/selfservice/viewdocument.do?noCount=true&externalId=17868&sliceId=1&isLoadPublishedVer=&docType=kc&docTypeID=DT_Article&stateId=12208&cmd=displayKC&dialogID=700180&ViewedDocsListHelper=com.kanisa.apps.common.BaseViewedDocsListHelperImpl&openedFromSearchResults=true

https://support.na.sage.com/selfservice/viewdocument.do?noCount=true&externalId=93607&sliceId=1&isLoadPublishedVer=&docType=kc&docTypeID=DT_Article&stateId=12225&cmd=displayKC&dialogID=700380&ViewedDocsListHelper=com.kanisa.apps.common.BaseViewedDocsListHelperImpl&openedFromSearchResults=true

I have tried all suggestions and nothing helped my problem.  After testing several reports I removed the Job Prompt Condition from the report and selected the job from the Ranges option.  This improved the processing considerably, if there are any Report Designer guru's out there please reach out to me and help me understand why this would make such a difference. 

Thank you Rhonda V for your suggestions!  

We are a consulting group for Sage 300 CRE - If you want me to take a look at your reports let me know. Did you make sure that all PC's have the exceptions setup for your virus / malware apps?

yes, virus exceptions are good.  Where would I send the reports?

I will need to look at report on your system - feel free to call me at 615-351-4953