Computer Help for Mid-size Companies

With the majority of business networks, 64-bit computing is a giant untapped resource. Both Intel and AMD, the top CPU chip manufacturers, have been delivering 64-bit ability in their commodity CPUs for years, so that all classes of business computing hardware including notebooks, desktop computers, engineering workstations and back-office servers now possess the architecture to operate in 64-bit mode. Yet most of these computers still host 32-bit software platforms.

The main cause for this common hesitation to join the 64-bit millennium is that the business advantage for upgrading in-place computers has seemed to be small in comparison to the work required. There is no automatic process to upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit operating system. The enhancement demands a clean installation, which calls for reinstalling current applications, saving and recovering data, and configuring new drivers. This requires careful planning to carry out economically. Furthermore, many popular office applications are currently available only in 32-bit versions, so where's the advantage?

Advantages of Moving Up to 64-bit Computing
The advantages of 64-bit vs. 32-bit processing may appear to be subtle and difficult to quantify, yet they are real. The RAM memory management techniques used in 32-bit operating systems are basically an engineering band-aid that limits system stability. RAM-hungry applications are often unable to access available memory because the operating system cannot allocate it effectively. This results in software freezing or running erratically even though a computer appears to have ample available memory. Also, 64-bit software platforms allow far more addressable memory than 32-bit ones and process more data per clock cycle. You can also switch from one RAM-intensive application to another faster when using a 64-bit environment. Fundamentally, 64-bit computing makes environments more reliable, more expandable, and faster, which makes businesses more competitive.

Microsoft's 64-bit Processing Software
Microsoft's “x64” technology supports the 64-bit processors used in virtually all computers currently installed in office IT systems. (Microsoft's "Itanium" technology is restricted to special high-end CPUs and is designed for applications that require massive multi-processing.) Prior to the availability of Office 2010, most Microsoft desktop programs including 2007 Office and Visual Studio 2005 were available only in 32-bit versions, which can still be run on x64 platforms. The latest generation of Office offers dramatic improvements. As an example, Office Excel 2010 is offered in a 64-bit version that allows you to create spreadsheets with enormous databases that are not limited to the 2-Gbyte file size that hampers previous versions of Excel.

Microsoft has developed true x64 versions of key Microsoft Server System products, such as Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and 2003, SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Commerce Server, Microsoft BizTalk Server, plus Operations Manager. Windows Server x64 editions are priced identically to 32-bit counterparts, so in most circumstances you pay nothing extra for 64-bit server software or hardware.

For client computers, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-price x64 versions that offer advanced dependability, scalability, and performance. Like all migrations from 32-bit to 64-bit operating systems, the upgrade can't be carried out without effort. Every workstation and server needs a clean setup that entails reconfiguring application software, backing up and restoring data files, and configuring 64-bit drivers. In fact, for typical current desktop PCs, and for every PC running XP, the 32 or 64-bit release of Windows 7 or Windows 8 will require you to perform a "from scratch" installation. Consequently, there will never be a better opportunity to upgrade to 64-bit processing on the workstation, since it will require little additional effort.

How Progent Can Help You to Migrate to 64-bit Processing
In addition to assisting you to evaluate the practical benefits, costs, and technical variables associated with migrating to 64-bit computing, Progent's Microsoft-certified engineers can help you plan, document, implement, administer, and troubleshoot a system-wide migration to 64-bit server and client OS software and applications. Progent can help you test your 64-bit environment to make sure it supports all of the key 32-bit applications which you intend to retain plus the new 64-bit versions of software you wish to install. If moving to Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is part of your 64-bit upgrade strategy, Progent's Windows 7 experts, Windows 8.1 consultants, and Windows 10 planning and upgrade consultants can assist your company to decide which desktop hardware and programs can or ought to be preserved, and design an upgrade process that is minimally disturbing to your business productivity.

Additional ways Progent can help your business to migrate to 64-bit computing include:

• Progent's expertise providing remote computer consulting and support can save you time and money during your x64 upgrade, and Progent's background working with internal support staffs and providing technical information transfer to them can increase the efficiency of your network support team.

• Progent's certified Cisco CCIE network consultants can verify that your network infrastructure is configured to accommodate your x64 processing solution, that it is simple to monitor, administer, and troubleshoot, and that it provides a high degree of data protection and fault tolerance.

• Progent's disaster recovery consultants can help you in creating and validating a workplace recovery strategy that includes your 64-bit servers. Progent's Microsoft certified System Center System Center Data Protection Manager engineering professionals can assist you to configure Microsoft System Center System Center Data Protection Manager to support near-continuous online backup with the advantage of fast data restoration.

• Progent's CISM, CISSP, and GIAC certified security experts can help you develop a comprehensive security plan that implements some of the powerful security technologies incorporated into x64 server platforms. Progent can also carry out network security vulnerability testing to assess or verify your company's compliance with mandated security requirements.

• Progent's virtualization experts can show you how to utilize 64-bit virtual server technology to conserve equipment, simplify management, enhance dependability, lower colocation expenses, and speed up recovery time in the event of a disaster.

• Progent's online instruction can help bring your IT management staff and your desktop employees up to speed quickly and affordably by providing interactive online webinars customized for your computing environment and operational processes.