Computer Network Help for Midsize Businesses

With the majority of business IT systems, 64-bit computing is a giant untapped resource. Intel and AMD, the leading CPU makers, have been incorporating 64-bit ability in their commodity CPUs for years, with the result that all types of business computing hardware such as notebooks, desktop PCs, engineering workstations and advanced servers now have the ability to run in 64-bit mode. Yet most of these computers still host 32-bit operating systems.

The main cause for this common hesitation to participate in the 64-bit revolution is that the real advantage for updating existing computers has appeared to be modest in comparison to the effort required. There is no seamless path to migrate from a 32 to a 64-bit OS. The enhancement requires a clean install, which calls for reinstalling current programs, saving and restoring data, and configuring new 64-bit drivers. This demands thoughtful planning to do efficiently. Furthermore, many popular desktop applications are currently available only in 32-bit editions, so what's the benefit?

Advantages of Moving Up to 64-bit Computing
The benefits of 64-bit vs. 32-bit computing may appear to be subtle and difficult to define precisely, yet they are real. The RAM memory allocation schemes utilized by 32-bit OS platforms are basically a technical afterthought that undermines stability. Memory-starved programs 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 running erratically even though a computer appears to have plenty of available RAM. Also, 64-bit software platforms support much more addressable memory than 32-bit ones and crunch twice as much data per clock cycle. You can also switch from one RAM-hungry application to another faster when running in a 64-bit system. Basically, 64-bit computing makes systems more reliable, more expandable, and faster, which makes companies more competitive.

Microsoft's 64-bit Computing Initiative
Microsoft's “x64” technology supports the 64-bit CPUs used in virtually all computers currently installed in business IT systems. (Microsoft's 64-bit "Itanium" software is restricted to a few high-end Intel and AMD CPUs processors and is intended for applications that require massive multi-processing.) Prior to the release of Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft desktop applications including Microsoft Office 2007 and Visual Studio 2005 were available solely in 32-bit versions, which can nevertheless be run on x64 Windows. The latest family of Office 2010 delivers significant improvements. For example, Microsoft Excel 2010 is available in a 64-bit version that allows you to create spreadsheets with huge datasets that are not limited to the 2-gigabyte file size imposed by 32-bit versions of Microsoft Office Excel.

Microsoft offers native x64 versions of key Microsoft Server System products, including Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and 2007, Commerce Server, Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006, as well as System Center Operations Manager. Microsoft Windows Server x64 editions are priced the same as their 32-bit editions, so typically you pay nothing extra for 64-bit server operating systems or hardware.

For desktop PCs, Microsoft supplies Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-cost 64-bit editions that provide high dependability, scalability, and throughput. As with all migrations from 32-bit to 64-bit operating systems, the upgrade can't be carried out seamlessly. Each desktop PC and server requires a clean installation that entails reinstalling applications, saving and restoring data, and installing 64-bit drivers. In fact, for most in-place desktop PCs, and for all PCs powered by Microsoft Windows XP, any release of Windows 7 or Windows 8 will require you to carry out a "from scratch" install. Consequently, there has never been a better opportunity to upgrade to x64 computing on the workstation, since it will require scarcely any extra work.

How Progent Can Help You to Migrate to 64-bit Processing
Besides assisting your organization to understand the practical benefits, costs, and technical variables attached to upgrading to 64-bit computing, Progent's Microsoft-certified engineers can help you design, document, carry out, manage, and repair a system-wide move to 64-bit server and desktop operating systems and business applications. Progent can help you test your 64-bit infrastructure to verify that it handles all of the key 32-bit programs which you intend to retain as well as the latest 64-bit editions of software you plan to run. If moving to Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is included in your 64-bit migration strategy, Progent's Windows 7 experts, Windows 8.1 migration consultants, and Windows 10 testing and upgrade experts can help you to determine which workstation hardware and programs can or should be retained, and design an upgrade process that is minimally disruptive to your business operations.

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

• Progent's expertise delivering online network support services can save you time and expense over the course of your x64 migration, and Progent's experience cooperating with internal IT personnel and delivering technical knowledge transfer to them can improve the effectiveness of your support staff.

• Progent's certified Cisco CCIE network engineers can make sure that your network architecture is configured to accommodate your 64-bit processing environment, that it is simple to track, manage, and repair, and that it provides a high degree of data protection and robustness.

• Progent's business continuity consulting professionals can help you in creating and testing a business continuity plan that includes your x64 servers. Progent's Microsoft certified Microsoft System Center System Center Data Protection Manager consulting professionals can assist you to deploy Microsoft System Center System Center Data Protection Manager to provide near-continuous online backup with the capability of fast system restoration.

• Progent's CISM, CISSP, GIAC, and CISA network security specialists can help you create a comprehensive security plan that implements some of the powerful security mechanisms included with x64 server platforms. Progent can also provide security vulnerability checking to evaluate or confirm your network's adherence to industry or government security standards.

• Progent's virtualization engineers can show you how to utilize 64-bit virtual server technology to save money on equipment, streamline administration, improve reliability, cut hosting expenses, and reduce restoration time in case of a catastrophic breakdown.

• Progent's online instruction can help bring your network support team and your desktop employees up to date quickly and cost-effectively by providing online virtual training specialized for your computing requirements and business processes.