Meanwhile, all server, workstation, and laptop computers sold in the last few years already have the ability to run in
The advantages of
Sticking with 32-bit software and under utilizing
Advantages of Upgrading to 64-bit Processing
The advantages of 64-bit vs. 32-bit computing may appear to be vague and hard to define precisely, yet they are significant. The memory management schemes used in 32-bit platforms are basically a technical afterthought that limits system stability. Memory-hungry programs are often unable to utilize free memory because the operating system is unable to assign it effectively. This results in programs shutting down or running erratically even when a machine appears to have ample unused memory. In addition, 64-bit operating systems allow much more addressable memory than 32-bit ones and process twice as much information per CPU cycle. You can also go from one RAM-hungry application to another more quickly when using a 64-bit system. Fundamentally, 64-bit computing makes environments more stable, more scalable, and faster, which makes businesses more productive.
Microsoft's 64-bit Software
Microsoft's “x64” technology works with the 64-bit CPUs found in virtually all computers now installed in office networks. (Microsoft's "Itanium" technology is restricted to a few advanced Intel/AMD CPUs and is designed for environments that need massive multi-processing.) Before the release of Microsoft Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft client programs including 2007 Office and Visual Studio 2005 were available solely in 32-bit versions, which can nevertheless be used on x64 Windows. The latest generation of Office 2010 offers significant enhancements. For example, Microsoft Office Excel 2010 is offered in a 64-bit version that allows you to build spreadsheets with huge datasets that are not limited to the 2-Gbyte file size that hampers previous editions of Microsoft Office Excel.
Microsoft offers native x64 editions of many Microsoft Server platforms, such as Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and 2003, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and 2007, Commerce Server 2007, Microsoft BizTalk Server, as well as System Center Operations Manager. Windows Server 64-bit editions are priced the same as their 32-bit counterparts, so in most circumstances it costs nothing more for 64-bit server operating systems or hardware.
For workstations, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-price x64 editions that offer advanced dependability, scalability, and performance. Like all migrations from 32-bit to 64-bit platforms, the upgrade can’t be done seamlessly. Each desktop PC and server requires a clean setup that entails reconfiguring application software, saving and recovering data, and installing 64-bit device drivers. In fact, for typical current desktop PCs, and for all PCs running Microsoft Windows XP, any release of Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 will require you to carry out a "from scratch" install. Consequently, there has never been a better opportunity to move to x64 computing on the desktop, since it will require scarcely any additional work.
How Progent Can Assist You to Upgrade to 64-bit Processing
In addition to helping you to understand the practical advantages, costs, and technical risks associated with upgrading to 64-bit processing, Progent's Microsoft-certified engineers can help you design, document, implement, administer, and repair a system-wide move to 64-bit server and client operating systems and business applications. Progent can help you pilot your 64-bit infrastructure to verify that it handles all of the key 32-bit applications that you intend to retain plus the new 64-bit versions of software you plan to run. If adopting Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is part of your 64-bit migration strategy, Progent's Windows 7 engineers, Windows 8.1 migration consultants, and Windows 10 evaluation and upgrade experts can help you to decide which desktop computers and applications can or should be retained, and design a migration process that is the least disturbing to your business productivity.
Other ways Progent can help you to migrate to x64 computing include: