Network Support for Midsize Businesses

With the majority of business networks, 64-bit processing is a giant untapped resource. Both Intel and AMD, the top CPU chip makers, have been incorporating 64-bit ability in their mainstream processors for years, so that all classes of business computers including notebooks, desktop PCs, high-powered workstations and advanced servers now have the ability to run in 64-bit format. Yet most of these computers continue to host 32-bit operating systems.

The primary cause for this widespread reluctance to participate in the 64-bit revolution is that the real advantage for updating in-place computers has appeared to be small in relation to the effort needed. There is no seamless path to migrate from a 32-bit to a 64-bit operating system. The enhancement requires a clean installation, which calls for reinstalling current applications, backing up and restoring data files, and installing new drivers. This demands careful planning to carry out efficiently. Meanwhile, most office productivity software are still available only in 32-bit versions, so what's the benefit?

Advantages of Moving Up to 64-bit Processing
The advantages of 64-bit over 32-bit computing may seem subtle and difficult to quantify, but they are significant. The memory allocation techniques utilized by 32-bit operating systems are essentially a technical afterthought that limits system stability. RAM-hungry programs are often unable to utilize available RAM since the O/S cannot allocate it effectively. This results in programs shutting down or executing erratically even when a computer appears to have plenty of unused RAM. In addition, 64-bit software platforms support much more addressable RAM than 32-bit ones and crunch twice as much information per CPU cycle. You can also go from one memory-hungry application to another more quickly when you are running in a 64-bit system. Basically, 64-bit processing makes environments more stable, more expandable, and more efficient, which in turn makes companies more productive.

Microsoft's x64 Support
Microsoft's “x64” technology works with the 64-bit processors used in most computers now deployed in business IT environments. (Microsoft's "Itanium" technology is restricted to a few advanced processors and is intended for applications that require large-scale multi-processing.) Before the release of Microsoft Office 2010, the majority of Microsoft client programs including Microsoft Office 2007 and Visual Studio 2005 were offered solely in 32-bit editions, which can nevertheless be used on x64 platforms. The new generation of Microsoft Office 2010 offers dramatic enhancements. For example, Office Excel 2010 is offered in a 64-bit version that permits you to build spreadsheets with enormous databases that are not limited by the 2-Gbyte maximum file size imposed by previous releases of Microsoft Office Excel.

Microsoft has developed native x64 editions of many Microsoft Server platforms, such as Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Exchange Server 2010 and 2007, Microsoft Commerce Server 2007, Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006, plus System Center Operations Manager. Windows Server 64-bit versions are priced identically to their 32-bit editions, so in most circumstances it costs nothing extra for 64-bit server operating systems or hardware.

For client computers, Microsoft offers Windows 7 and Windows 8 in same-cost 64-bit editions that provide high dependability, capacity, and performance. As with all migrations from 32- to 64-bit platforms, the upgrade can't be carried out without effort. Every desktop PC and server needs a clean installation that entails reinstalling application software, saving and recovering data, and installing 64-bit device drivers. In fact, for typical current workstations, and for every PC powered by Windows XP, even the 64-bit version of Windows 7 or Windows 8 will require you to carry out a clean installation. This being the case, there has never been a better time to move to 64-bit processing on the desktop, since it will require scarcely any extra work.

How Progent Can Assist Your Business to Upgrade to 64-bit Computing
In addition to helping your organization to evaluate the business benefits, expenses, and technical variables attached to upgrading to 64-bit processing, Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you plan, document, implement, administer, and troubleshoot a system-wide move to 64-bit server and desktop operating systems and business applications. Progent can help you pilot your 64-bit environment to verify that it handles all of the key 32-bit applications that you intend to keep as well as the latest 64-bit versions of software you plan to install. If moving to Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 is part of your x64 migration strategy, Progent's Windows 7 experts, Windows 8.1 consultants, and Windows 10 planning and migration experts can help you to decide which desktop computers and programs can or ought to be retained, and outline an upgrade procedure that is minimally disturbing to your network productivity.

Other ways Progent can help you to upgrade to x64 processing include:

• Progent's expertise providing online network support services can save you effort and money during your 64-bit upgrade, and Progent's background cooperating with in-house IT staffs and delivering technical information sharing to them can increase the effectiveness of your support staff.

• Progent's certified Cisco CCIE network engineers can make sure that your network infrastructure is optimized to accommodate your x64 processing solution, that it is simple to monitor, administer, and troubleshoot, and that it provides a high degree of data protection and reliability.

• Progent's business continuity consulting professionals can assist you in creating and testing a workplace recovery plan that includes your 64-bit servers. Progent's Microsoft certified System Center System Center Data Protection Manager (SCDPM) consulting professionals can assist you to configure System Center SCDPM to provide automated online backup with the capability of fast data recovery.

• Progent's CISM and CISA certified security consultants can help you create a comprehensive security strategy that implements some of the powerful security mechanisms included with 64-bit server platforms. Progent can also carry out security vulnerability testing to assess or verify your company's adherence to industry or government security requirements.

• Progent's virtualization consultants can show you how to benefit from 64-bit virtual server technology to save money on hardware, simplify management, improve dependability, lower colocation and hosting costs, and reduce restoration time in the event of a disaster.

• Progent's live online training classes can help bring both your IT management staff and your office employees up to speed rapidly and affordably by delivering remote virtual training customized for your network environment and operational procedures.