Computer Outsourcing for Mid-size Companies

With the majority of business IT systems, 64-bit computing is a giant unexploited resource. Both Intel and AMD, the leading CPU chip manufacturers, have been delivering 64-bit ability in their mainstream processors for years, so that all classes of business computers such as notebooks, desktop computers, high-powered workstations and advanced servers now have the ability to run in 64-bit mode. However most of these computers still run 32-bit software platforms.

The main reason for this widespread hesitation to join the 64-bit revolution is that the business benefit for updating in-place systems has seemed to be modest in relation to the work needed. There is no seamless path to upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit operating system. The upgrade requires a clean installation, which means reinstalling current programs, backing up and recovering data, and installing new drivers. This requires thorough planning to carry out economically. Meanwhile, most office applications are currently available only in 32-bit editions, so where's the advantage?

Advantages of Moving Up to 64-bit Processing
The benefits of 64-bit over 32-bit computing may appear to be subtle and difficult to quantify, but they are significant. The RAM management techniques used in 32-bit systems are essentially an engineering afterthought that limits system stability. RAM-starved programs are sometimes not able to access free RAM because the operating system cannot allocate it effectively. This results in software freezing or executing erratically even though a machine seems to have plenty of unused RAM. In addition, 64-bit software platforms support much more physical RAM than 32-bit systems and process twice as much information per CPU cycle. You can also go from one memory-hungry application to another faster while running in a 64-bit system. Fundamentally, 64-bit computing makes systems more stable, more expandable, and faster, which makes companies more competitive.

Microsoft's 64-bit Software
Microsoft's “x64” technology works with the 64-bit CPUs used in virtually all computers currently deployed in office IT environments. (Microsoft's 64-bit "Itanium" technology is restricted to special advanced Intel/AMD CPUs and is intended for environments that need massive multi-processing.) Before the availability of Microsoft Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft desktop applications such as Microsoft Office 2007 and Visual Studio 2005 were offered only in 32-bit editions, which can nevertheless be used on x64 platforms. The new generation of Microsoft Office 2010 delivers dramatic enhancements. For example, Office Excel 2010 is offered in a 64-bit edition that allows you to build spreadsheets with enormous datasets that are not limited to the 2-Gbyte maximum file size imposed by previous versions of Microsoft Office Excel.

Microsoft offers true x64 versions of key Microsoft Server System products, including Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and 2003, SQL Server 2008, Exchange Server 2010 and 2007, Commerce Server 2007, Microsoft BizTalk Server, plus Operations Manager. Microsoft Windows Server x64 versions are priced identically to 32-bit versions, so in most circumstances you pay nothing more for 64-bit server software or machines.

For client computers, Microsoft supplies Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-price 64-bit versions that provide advanced stability, capacity, and performance. Like all migrations from 32- to 64-bit platforms, the upgrade can't be carried out seamlessly. Each desktop PC and server requires a clean setup that involves reconfiguring applications, saving and recovering data files, and installing 64-bit drivers. On the other hand, for typical current workstations, and for all PCs running Windows XP, the 32 or 64-bit edition of Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 requires you to perform a "from scratch" installation. Consequently, there will never be a better time to upgrade to x64 computing on the workstation, since it will require scarcely any additional effort.

How Progent Can Help You to Upgrade to 64-bit Processing
Besides assisting your organization to evaluate the practical advantages, costs, and technical variables associated with migrating to 64-bit processing, Progent's Microsoft-certified engineers can help you plan, document, carry out, manage, and repair a system-wide move to 64-bit server and desktop OS software and business applications. Progent can help you pilot your 64-bit infrastructure to make sure it supports all of the key 32-bit programs that you intend to keep plus the latest 64-bit versions of software you wish to run. If moving to Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is part of your x64 migration strategy, Progent's Windows 7 engineers, Windows 8.1 migration consultants, and Windows 10 testing and migration consultants can assist you to decide which workstation computers and programs can or ought to be preserved, and design an upgrade process that is minimally disruptive to your business operations.

Additional ways Progent's consultants can help you to upgrade to x64 processing include:

• Progent's experience delivering remote network consulting and troubleshooting can save your business effort and expense over the course of your 64-bit upgrade, and Progent's experience working with internal IT personnel and providing technical knowledge sharing to them can improve the efficiency of your support team.

• Progent's Cisco CCIE network consultants can make sure that your network infrastructure is configured to support your 64-bit processing solution, that it is simple to monitor, administer, and repair, and that it provides a high level of security and dependability.

• Progent's disaster recovery consulting professionals can help you in developing and testing a disaster recovery strategy that incorporates your 64-bit servers. Progent's Microsoft certified System Center System Center Data Protection Manager consulting professionals can help you to configure System Center System Center Data Protection Manager to provide near-continuous remote backup with the capability of rapid data recovery.

• Progent's CISSP and GIAC network security consultants can help you develop a comprehensive security plan that deploys some of the new security technologies included with x64 servers. Progent can also provide network security vulnerability testing to evaluate or validate your network's adherence to industry or government security standards.

• Progent's virtualization engineers can show you how to use 64-bit virtual server solutions to leverage your hardware resources, simplify management, improve dependability, cut hosting expenses, and reduce recovery time in case of a disaster.

• Progent's online instruction can help get both your network management staff and your office employees up to date quickly and affordably by providing interactive online virtual training specialized for your computing requirements and business procedures.