SQL Express is automatically installed when AC is installed. Contrary to what AC or any company may say, cloud computing is not necessarily a turnkey thing.
My sense is there is something in your setup that is causing this. But, there are issues with a cloud setup that could be a problem as well. Remember with RDP, you are only sending key strokes and mouse clicks. You have more than enough bandwidth.
With four users, you need very little for the network. A good server could handle tons of users. There are just other things to look at.
You could probably use another set of eyes looking at the entire network and possibly installing a new server. Sandeep not only knows servers and networking, he sets up many with AC in mind right out of the box. I would give him a call.
It is beyond doing it piecemeal on here with us.
