Computer Network Help for Mid-size Businesses

With the majority of office IT systems, 64-bit processing is a giant unexploited resource. Both Intel and AMD, the top CPU makers, have been delivering 64-bit capability in their mainstream processors for years, with the result that all types of business computing hardware such as laptops, desktop computers, engineering workstations and back-office servers now possess the architecture to run in 64-bit format. However most of these computers still run 32-bit software platforms.

The main reason for this common reluctance to participate in the 64-bit revolution is that the business advantage for updating existing systems has appeared to be small in comparison to the effort needed. There is no automatic path to upgrade from a 32 to a 64-bit operating system. The upgrade requires a clean install, which calls for reinstalling existing applications, saving and restoring data, and installing new 64-bit drivers. This requires thorough planning to do economically. Meanwhile, many popular office applications are currently offered only in 32-bit versions, so what's the benefit?

Benefits of Moving Up to 64-bit Processing
The benefits of 64-bit over 32-bit processing may appear to be subtle and difficult to define precisely, yet they are significant. The memory allocation schemes utilized by 32-bit systems are basically an engineering afterthought that limits system stability. RAM-hungry applications are sometimes unable to access available memory because the operating system is unable to allocate it effectively. This can be the cause of software freezing or executing fitfully even though a computer seems to have plenty of unused memory. In addition, 64-bit software platforms allow far more addressable RAM than 32-bit systems and process twice as much data per CPU cycle. You can also jump from one RAM-hungry application to another faster while running in a 64-bit system. Basically, 64-bit processing makes systems more stable, more expandable, and more efficient, which makes companies more competitive.

Microsoft's 64-bit Computing Initiative
Microsoft's “x64” software supports the 64-bit CPUs found in most computers currently installed in business networks. (Microsoft's 64-bit "Itanium" software is restricted to special high-end Intel and AMD CPUs processors and is designed for environments that need massive multi-processing.) Prior to the availability of Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft client applications such as Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 were available only in 32-bit versions, which can nevertheless be run on x64 Windows. The latest generation of Microsoft Office delivers dramatic enhancements. For example, Excel 2010 is offered in a 64-bit version that permits you to build spreadsheets with enormous datasets that are not restricted by the 2-Gbyte maximum file size that hampers previous releases of Microsoft Office Excel.

Microsoft has developed native x64 editions of many Microsoft Server platforms, such as Microsoft Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Commerce Server 2007, BizTalk Server 2006, as well as Operations Manager. Microsoft Windows Server x64 editions are priced and licensed the same as 32-bit versions, so ordinarily it costs nothing extra for 64-bit server software or hardware.

For workstations, Microsoft supplies Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-price 64-bit versions that provide high stability, capacity, and throughput. As with all migrations from 32- to 64-bit operating systems, the upgrade can't be carried out without effort. Each workstation and server needs a clean installation that entails reconfiguring application software, backing up and recovering data files, and installing 64-bit device drivers. In fact, for typical current desktop PCs, and for all PCs powered by XP, the 32 or 64-bit edition of Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 requires you to perform a clean install. This being the case, there will never be a better time to move to 64-bit processing on the desktop, since it will involve scarcely any extra effort.

How Progent Can Assist You to Upgrade to 64-bit Processing
In addition to helping you to understand the practical benefits, expenses, and technical variables associated with upgrading to 64-bit processing, 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 business applications. Progent can help you pilot your 64-bit infrastructure to verify that it handles all of the important 32-bit applications that you intend to retain as well as the new 64-bit versions of software you plan to install. If adopting Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is part of your 64-bit migration plan, Progent's Windows 7 engineers, Windows 8.1 consultants, and Windows 10 evaluation and upgrade consultants can help you to determine which desktop hardware and programs can or ought to be preserved, and design a migration procedure that is minimally disturbing to your network operations.

Other ways Progent can help you to upgrade to 64-bit processing include:

• Progent's expertise delivering remote computer consulting and troubleshooting can save you effort and money during your x64 upgrade, and Progent's experience cooperating with in-house support personnel and providing technical information transfer to them can improve the effectiveness of your support staff.

• Progent's certified Cisco CCIE network consultants can verify that your network architecture is configured to accommodate your x64 processing solution, that it is simple to track, administer, and troubleshoot, and that it offers a high level of data protection and reliability.

• Progent's disaster recovery engineers can help you in creating and validating a disaster recovery strategy that includes your 64-bit servers. Progent's Microsoft certified System Center SCDPM engineering professionals can help you to deploy Microsoft System Center SCDPM to support near-continuous online backup with the capability of fast system recovery.

• Progent's CISM and CISA certified network security specialists can help you create a comprehensive security plan that deploys some of the new protection mechanisms included with 64-bit server platforms. Progent can also provide security vulnerability checking to assess or confirm your company's compliance with industry or government security requirements.

• Progent's virtualization experts can help you benefit from 64-bit virtual server technology to save money on hardware resources, simplify administration, enhance fault tolerance, cut colocation and hosting expenses, and speed up recovery time in the event of a catastrophic breakdown.

• Progent's live online instruction can help get both your network support staff and your desktop employees up to date quickly and affordably by providing online webinars specialized for your computing environment and business procedures.