Computer Support for Medium-size Businesses

For the majority of office networks, 64-bit computing is a giant untapped power source. Both Intel and AMD, the leading CPU chip manufacturers, have been delivering 64-bit ability in their mainstream CPUs for years, with the result that all types of business computers such as laptops, desktop computers, high-powered workstations and advanced servers now possess the ability to operate in 64-bit mode. However the majority of these devices still host 32-bit operating systems and applications.

The main reason for this widespread reluctance to join the 64-bit millennium is that the real advantage for updating existing systems has appeared to be modest in relation to the effort needed. There is no automatic path to migrate from a 32-bit to a 64-bit OS. The upgrade requires a clean installation, which means reinstalling current applications, saving and recovering data, and installing new drivers. This demands careful planning to do efficiently. Furthermore, most desktop applications are still offered only in 32-bit editions, so where's the benefit?

Benefits of Upgrading to 64-bit Processing
The advantages of 64-bit over 32-bit computing may seem vague and difficult to define precisely, but they are real. The memory partitioning techniques used in 32-bit OS platforms are essentially a technical afterthought that limits system stability. Memory-starved programs are often unable to utilize available memory since the O/S is unable to allocate it effectively. This can be the cause of programs shutting down or performing erratically even when a computer appears to have plenty of unused RAM. Also, 64-bit software platforms allow much more addressable memory than 32-bit ones and process more data per CPU cycle. You can also jump from one memory-intensive program to another faster when you are using a 64-bit environment. Fundamentally, 64-bit processing makes systems more reliable, more scalable, and faster, which in turn makes companies more productive.

Microsoft's 64-bit Support
Microsoft's “x64” software works with the 64-bit processors found in most computers currently installed in office IT environments. (Microsoft's "Itanium" support is limited to special advanced Intel and AMD CPUs processors and is intended for environments that require large-scale multi-processing.) Prior to the availability of Microsoft Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft desktop applications including 2007 Office and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 were available solely in 32-bit editions, which can nevertheless be run on x64 Windows. The latest generation of Microsoft Office 2010 delivers dramatic enhancements. As an example, Microsoft Office Excel 2010 is available in a 64-bit version that allows you to create spreadsheets with enormous datasets that are not limited to the 2-gigabyte maximum file size that hampers previous releases of Office Excel.

Microsoft offers native x64 versions of many Microsoft Server System products, including Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 and 2007, Microsoft Commerce Server 2007, BizTalk Server, as well as System Center Operations Manager. Windows Server 64-bit editions are priced and licensed identically to their 32-bit counterparts, so typically it costs nothing more for 64-bit server operating systems or hardware.

For workstations, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-cost x64 versions that provide high dependability, capacity, and throughput. As with all upgrades from 32- to 64-bit platforms, the upgrade can't be done seamlessly. Every workstation and server needs a clean setup that involves reinstalling applications, backing up and restoring data files, and installing 64-bit drivers. On the other hand, for typical current desktop PCs, and for every PC running XP, the 32 or 64-bit version of Windows 7 or 8 requires you to carry out a "from scratch" installation. Consequently, there has never been a better time to upgrade to 64-bit computing on the desktop, since it will require little additional effort.

How Progent Can Help You to Migrate to 64-bit Processing
Besides assisting you to understand the business benefits, costs, and technical risks attached to migrating to 64-bit processing, Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you design, document, implement, administer, and troubleshoot a system-wide migration to 64-bit server and desktop OS software and applications. Progent can help you test your 64-bit infrastructure to verify that it handles all of the important 32-bit programs which you want to keep plus the latest 64-bit versions of applications you wish to run. If adopting Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is included in your 64-bit upgrade plan, Progent's certified Windows 7 experts, Windows 8.1 consultants, and Windows 10 evaluation and migration consultants can assist you to determine which workstation hardware and applications can or ought to be retained, and design a migration process that is the least disturbing to your network operations.

Other ways Progent can assist your business to migrate to x64 computing include:

• Progent's experience delivering online computer consulting and support can save you effort and money over the course of your 64-bit upgrade, and Progent's background cooperating with in-house support staffs and providing technical knowledge transfer to them can improve the effectiveness of your support staff.

• Progent's Cisco CCIE network consultants can verify that your network architecture is configured to support your x64 processing solution, that it is simple to monitor, manage, and troubleshoot, and that it provides a high level of security and dependability.

• Progent's business continuity engineers can assist you in developing and validating a business continuity plan that incorporates your 64-bit servers. Progent's Microsoft certified Microsoft System Center System Center Data Protection Manager (SCDPM) support professionals can assist you to deploy Microsoft System Center SCDPM to support near-continuous online backup with the capability of fast data recovery.

• Progent's CISM, CISSP, GIAC, and CISA certified network security engineers can assist you develop a comprehensive security strategy that deploys some of the new protection mechanisms incorporated into x64 servers. Progent can also carry out network security vulnerability testing to assess or validate your network's adherence to industry or government security standards.

• Progent's virtualization experts can help you use 64-bit virtual server solutions to leverage your hardware resources, simplify administration, enhance reliability, lower colocation and hosting costs, and reduce recovery time in case of a disaster.

• Progent's online education can help bring both your network management team and your desktop employees up to speed quickly and cost-effectively by providing online webinars specialized for your network environment and operational processes.