Computer Outsourcing for Midsize Businesses

With the majority of business IT systems, 64-bit processing is a giant unexploited power source. Intel and AMD, the leading CPU chip manufacturers, have been delivering 64-bit capability in their mainstream processors for years, with the result that all types of business computing hardware such as notebooks, desktop computers, engineering workstations and advanced servers now possess the ability to run in 64-bit mode. However the majority of these devices continue to run 32-bit operating systems.

The primary cause for this common 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 automatic process to upgrade from a 32 to a 64-bit OS. The enhancement demands a clean installation, which means reinstalling existing programs, backing up and restoring data files, and installing new drivers. This demands thorough planning to carry out economically. Meanwhile, many popular office applications are still offered only in 32-bit editions, so where's the benefit?

Advantages of Upgrading to 64-bit Computing
The benefits of 64-bit vs. 32-bit processing may seem subtle and difficult to define precisely, but they are significant. The RAM memory partitioning schemes used in 32-bit platforms are essentially a technical afterthought that limits stability. RAM-starved programs are sometimes unable to utilize free memory since the O/S cannot assign it efficiently. This results in programs shutting down or performing erratically even though a computer appears to have ample unused memory. In addition, 64-bit operating systems allow far more addressable RAM than 32-bit systems and crunch twice as much information per CPU cycle. You can also go from one RAM-intensive program to another more quickly when you are running in a 64-bit system. Basically, 64-bit processing makes systems more stable, more expandable, and more efficient, which makes companies more productive.

Microsoft's x64 Support
Microsoft's “x64” technology supports the 64-bit CPUs found in virtually all servers and desktop PCs now installed in business networks. (Microsoft's 64-bit "Itanium" software is limited to special advanced Intel/AMD CPUs and is designed for environments that need large-scale multi-processing.) Prior to the release of Microsoft Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft desktop programs including 2007 Office and Visual Studio 2005 were offered solely in 32-bit versions, which can nevertheless be run on x64 platforms. The latest generation of Microsoft Office 2010 delivers dramatic enhancements. As an example, Excel 2010 is offered in a 64-bit edition that permits you to create spreadsheets with enormous datasets that are not restricted to the 2-Gbyte file size that hampers 32-bit editions of Excel.

Microsoft has developed native x64 versions of many Microsoft Server System products, including Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and 2003, SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Commerce Server 2007, Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006, as well as System Center Operations Manager. Microsoft Windows Server 64-bit versions are priced and licensed the same as their 32-bit editions, so in most circumstances it costs nothing extra for 64-bit server operating systems or machines.

For workstations, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-cost x64 editions that offer advanced dependability, capacity, and throughput. Like all migrations from 32- to 64-bit operating systems, the move up can't be carried out seamlessly. Every workstation and server requires a clean setup that involves reconfiguring application software, backing up and recovering data files, and configuring 64-bit drivers. On the other hand, for most in-place desktop PCs, and for all PCs powered by Windows XP, any release of Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 will require you to carry out a "from scratch" installation. This being the case, there has never been a better opportunity to move to x64 computing on the desktop, since it will involve little extra effort.

How Progent Can Help Your Business to Migrate to 64-bit Processing
In addition to helping your organization to understand the practical advantages, costs, and technical risks associated with migrating to 64-bit processing, Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you design, document, implement, administer, and repair a network-wide move to 64-bit server and desktop OS software and business applications. Progent can help you test your 64-bit environment to make sure it supports all of the key 32-bit programs that you intend to keep as well as the new 64-bit editions of software you plan to install. If adopting Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is included in your 64-bit upgrade strategy, Progent's certified Windows 7 experts, Windows 8.1 consultants, and Windows 10 evaluation and migration experts can assist you to determine which desktop hardware and applications can or ought to be retained, and outline a migration procedure that is the least disruptive to your network operations.

Other ways Progent's consultants can help your business to upgrade to 64-bit computing include:

• Progent's expertise delivering remote network support services can save you time and money over the course of your 64-bit upgrade, and Progent's experience working with internal IT staffs and providing technical knowledge sharing to them can increase the effectiveness of your support staff.

• Progent's certified Cisco CCIE network consultants can make sure that your network architecture is optimized to accommodate your x64 computing solution, that it is simple to track, administer, and troubleshoot, and that it provides a high degree of security and fault tolerance.

• Progent's disaster recovery consultants can help you in developing and validating a workplace recovery strategy that includes your x64 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 CISM, CISSP, GIAC, and CISA network security specialists can help you develop a comprehensive security strategy that deploys some of the powerful protection technologies incorporated into x64 server platforms. Progent can also provide security vulnerability checking to evaluate or validate your company's adherence to mandated security standards.

• Progent's virtualization experts can help you utilize 64-bit virtual server technology to save money on hardware resources, simplify management, improve dependability, cut colocation costs, and reduce recovery time in the event of a catastrophic breakdown.

• Progent's live online education can help get your IT support staff and your desktop workers up to date rapidly and cost-effectively by providing interactive online webinars customized for your computing requirements and operational processes.