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 Moving Up to 64-bit Processing
The benefits of 64-bit over 32-bit processing may seem subtle and hard to quantify, yet they are significant. The memory partitioning schemes utilized by 32-bit OS platforms are essentially a technical band-aid that limits stability. Memory-starved applications are often not allowed to access available RAM because the O/S is unable to assign it effectively. This results in programs shutting down or executing fitfully even though a machine appears to have plenty of unused memory. In addition, 64-bit operating systems allow much more addressable RAM than 32-bit systems and crunch twice as much information per CPU cycle. You can also switch from one RAM-hungry program to another more quickly while running in a 64-bit environment. Basically, 64-bit processing makes environments more stable, more expandable, and faster, which in turn makes companies more productive.
Microsoft's 64-bit Processing Initiative
Microsoft's “x64” technology supports the 64-bit CPUs found in most computers currently installed in business networks. (Microsoft's 64-bit "Itanium" initiative is limited to special high-end Intel/AMD CPUs and is designed for environments that require massive multi-processing.) Before the release of Microsoft Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft client applications such as 2007 Office and Visual Studio 2005 were available solely in 32-bit editions, which can still be used on x64 Windows. The latest family of Microsoft Office 2010 offers significant improvements. As an example, Excel 2010 is offered in a 64-bit edition that permits you to build spreadsheets with huge databases that are not restricted by the 2-gigabyte file size that hampers 32-bit versions of Microsoft Office Excel.
Microsoft offers native x64 versions of many Microsoft Server System products, including Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and 2005, Exchange Server 2010 and 2007, Commerce Server 2007, BizTalk Server, as well as System Center Operations Manager. Windows Server 64-bit versions are priced identically to 32-bit editions, so in most circumstances it costs nothing extra for 64-bit server software or hardware.
For desktop PCs, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-cost 64-bit versions that offer high dependability, scalability, and throughput. Like all upgrades from 32- to 64-bit operating systems, the upgrade can't be carried out without effort. Every workstation and server requires a clean installation that entails reconfiguring application software, saving and recovering data, and configuring 64-bit device drivers. In fact, for most in-place workstations, and for every PC powered by Microsoft Windows XP, the 32 or 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 requires you to perform a "from scratch" install. This being the case, there has never been a better opportunity to upgrade to 64-bit processing on the desktop, since it will require scarcely any extra effort.
How Progent Can Assist You to Upgrade to 64-bit Computing
Besides assisting you to evaluate the practical benefits, expenses, and technical variables associated with upgrading to 64-bit processing, Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you plan, document, implement, administer, and repair a network-wide move to 64-bit server and desktop operating systems and business applications. Progent can help you test your 64-bit environment to verify that it handles all of the important 32-bit applications that you want to keep plus the latest 64-bit versions of applications you wish to install. If moving to Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is included in your x64 migration plan, Progent's certified Windows 7 engineers, Windows 8.1 migration consultants, and Windows 10 evaluation and migration experts can help you to determine which desktop hardware and applications can or should be preserved, and plan a migration procedure that is minimally disturbing to your network productivity.
Other ways Progent's consultants can assist your business to migrate to x64 processing include: