For most office IT systems, 64-bit processing is a giant untapped power source. Intel and AMD, the leading CPU chip manufacturers, have been delivering 64-bit ability in their commodity CPUs for years, so that all types of business computers such as laptops, desktop PCs, high-powered workstations and advanced servers already have the architecture to operate in 64-bit mode. Yet the majority of these in-place devices still run 32-bit operating systems and applications.
The main cause for this common reluctance to join the 64-bit millennium is that the real benefit for updating in-place systems has seemed to be small in relation to the work required. There is no seamless process to upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit OS. The upgrade requires a clean installation, which calls for reinstalling current programs, saving and recovering data, and configuring new drivers. This requires careful planning to carry out efficiently. Meanwhile, most desktop productivity software are currently available only in 32-bit versions, so where's the benefit?
Benefits of Upgrading to 64-bit Processing
The benefits of 64-bit over 32-bit processing may seem vague and difficult to define precisely, yet they are significant. The RAM allocation techniques used in 32-bit platforms are basically a technical afterthought that undermines system stability. RAM-starved programs are often not allowed to access existing memory because the operating system cannot assign it effectively. This can be the cause of programs freezing or performing fitfully even though a machine appears to have plenty of unused RAM. In addition, 64-bit software platforms allow far more addressable RAM than 32-bit systems and crunch more data per CPU cycle. You can also jump from one memory-intensive program to another more quickly when using a 64-bit system. Basically, 64-bit computing makes systems more stable, more expandable, and more efficient, which makes businesses more productive.
Microsoft's 64-bit Processing Software
Microsoft's “x64” technology supports the 64-bit processors used in virtually all computers now deployed in business networks. (Microsoft's 64-bit "Itanium" platform is restricted to a few advanced Intel/AMD CPUs and is intended for environments that need massive multi-processing.) Prior to the release of Microsoft Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft desktop programs such as Microsoft Office 2007 and Visual Studio 2005 were available solely in 32-bit editions, which can still be used on x64 Windows. The latest family of Office offers dramatic improvements. As an example, Excel 2010 is available in a 64-bit edition that allows you to create spreadsheets with enormous databases that are not restricted to the 2-gigabyte maximum file size that hampers previous releases of Excel.
Microsoft offers true x64 versions of key Microsoft Server platforms, such as Windows Server 2008 and 2003, SQL Server 2008 and 2005, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Commerce Server 2007, Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006, plus System Center Operations Manager. Microsoft Windows Server x64 editions are priced the same as 32-bit editions, so typically it costs nothing extra for 64-bit server software or machines.
For client computers, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-cost 64-bit editions that offer advanced stability, scalability, and throughput. Like all upgrades from 32-bit to 64-bit platforms, the upgrade can't be carried out seamlessly. Every desktop PC and server requires a clean installation that involves reinstalling application software, backing up and recovering data, and installing 64-bit drivers. On the other hand, for typical current workstations, and for all PCs running Windows XP, any version of Windows 7 or Windows 8 requires you to perform a clean installation. This being the case, there has never been a better opportunity to upgrade to x64 processing on the desktop, since it will require scarcely any additional effort.
How Progent Can Assist You to Migrate to 64-bit Processing
In addition to assisting your organization to evaluate the practical advantages, expenses, and technical risks attached to upgrading to 64-bit processing, Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you plan, document, carry out, administer, and repair a system-wide move to 64-bit server and client operating systems and applications. Progent can help you pilot your 64-bit environment to verify that it supports all of the important 32-bit applications which you intend to retain plus the latest 64-bit versions of applications you plan to run. If moving to Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is part of your x64 migration plan, Progent's certified Windows 7 engineers, Windows 8.1 consultants, and Windows 10 planning and migration experts can help you to decide which workstation hardware and applications can or ought to be preserved, and plan an upgrade process that is the least disturbing to your network operations.
Additional ways Progent can assist you to upgrade to x64 processing include: