Computer Network Help for Mid-size Businesses

For most office networks, 64-bit computing is a giant unexploited power source. Both Intel and AMD, the top CPU manufacturers, have been delivering 64-bit ability in their mainstream processors for years, so that all types of business computers such as notebooks, desktop PCs, engineering workstations and back-office servers already possess the ability to run in 64-bit format. However the majority of these devices still run 32-bit operating systems.

The main cause for this widespread reluctance to join the 64-bit millennium is that the business advantage for upgrading existing systems has seemed to be modest in comparison to the effort required. There is no seamless path to migrate from a 32-bit to a 64-bit operating system. The enhancement requires a clean install, which means reinstalling current programs, saving and recovering data, and installing new 64-bit drivers. This requires thoughtful planning to do efficiently. Meanwhile, most office productivity software are still offered only in 32-bit versions, so where's the benefit?

Benefits of Upgrading to 64-bit Computing
The benefits of 64-bit vs. 32-bit processing may appear to be subtle and hard to define precisely, yet they are real. The RAM memory partitioning schemes used in 32-bit systems are essentially a technical band-aid that undermines system stability. Memory-hungry programs are sometimes not allowed to access available RAM since the O/S is unable to allocate it efficiently. This results in programs shutting down or running fitfully even though a computer appears to have plenty of available memory. Also, 64-bit software platforms allow far more addressable RAM than 32-bit ones and process more data per clock cycle. You can also go from one RAM-hungry program to another more quickly while using a 64-bit system. Fundamentally, 64-bit computing makes systems more reliable, more expandable, and more efficient, which makes companies more productive.

Microsoft's 64-bit Computing Initiative
Microsoft's “x64” software works with the 64-bit processors used in virtually all servers and desktop PCs currently deployed in business IT environments. (Microsoft's 64-bit "Itanium" initiative is restricted to a few high-end CPUs and is designed for environments that require massive multi-processing.) Prior to the availability of Microsoft Office 2010, most Microsoft desktop programs such as Microsoft Office 2007 and Visual Studio 2005 were offered solely in 32-bit versions, which can still be run on x64 Windows. The new generation of Microsoft Office offers dramatic enhancements. As an example, 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-gigabyte maximum file size that hampers 32-bit editions of Excel.

Microsoft offers true x64 editions of key Microsoft Server platforms, such as Microsoft Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Exchange Server 2007, Commerce Server, BizTalk Server 2006, plus System Center Operations Manager. Microsoft Windows Server 64-bit editions are priced and licensed identically to 32-bit versions, so in most circumstances it costs nothing extra for 64-bit server software or machines.

For desktop PCs, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-price x64 versions that provide advanced stability, scalability, and performance. As with all migrations from 32- to 64-bit platforms, the move up can't be done seamlessly. Every workstation and server needs a clean setup that involves reconfiguring application software, backing up and restoring data, and configuring 64-bit device drivers. On the other hand, for most in-place workstations, and for all PCs powered by XP, even the 64-bit edition of Windows 7 or 8 will require you to perform a clean installation. Consequently, there has never been a better time to upgrade to x64 computing on the desktop, since it will involve scarcely any additional effort.

How Progent Can Help Your Business to Migrate to 64-bit Processing
Besides assisting you to understand the practical advantages, expenses, and technical risks attached to migrating to 64-bit computing, Progent's Microsoft-certified engineers can help you design, document, carry out, administer, and troubleshoot a system-wide move to 64-bit server and client OS software and applications. Progent can help you test your 64-bit infrastructure to verify that it supports all of the important 32-bit applications that you want to keep as well as the new 64-bit editions of applications you wish to install. If moving to Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is included in your x64 upgrade plan, Progent's certified Windows 7 experts, Windows 8.1 consultants, and Windows 10 planning and upgrade experts can help your company to determine which desktop hardware and programs can or ought to be retained, and design an upgrade procedure that is minimally disturbing to your network operations.

Other ways Progent's consultants can help you to migrate to 64-bit processing include:

• Progent's experience providing online computer consulting and support can save your business effort and money over the course of your x64 upgrade, and Progent's background cooperating with internal support staffs and providing technical information sharing to them can increase the effectiveness of your support team.

• Progent's Cisco CCIE network engineers can verify that your network architecture is optimized to accommodate your 64-bit processing solution, that it is simple to monitor, manage, and troubleshoot, and that it offers a high level of data protection and reliability.

• Progent's disaster recovery engineers can help you in developing and validating a workplace recovery strategy that incorporates your 64-bit servers. Progent's Microsoft certified System Center SCDPM support experts can help you to configure Microsoft System Center System Center Data Protection Manager to provide automated online backup with the advantage of fast data restoration.

• Progent's CISM and CISA certified security experts can assist you create a company-wide security strategy that implements some of the powerful protection mechanisms incorporated into 64-bit server platforms. Progent can also provide network security vulnerability testing to assess or verify your network's adherence to industry or government security requirements.

• Progent's virtualization engineers can help you utilize 64-bit virtual server technology to conserve equipment, simplify administration, enhance dependability, lower hosting expenses, and speed up restoration time in the event of a disaster.

• Progent's online training classes can help get your IT management staff and your desktop employees up to speed rapidly and affordably by providing remote webinars customized for your computing requirements and business processes.