Is 64-bit Computing Right For Your Business?
With the launch of the windows 64-bit operating systems firmly behind us many business owners and IT managers are still a little confused and are still asking what this means for them.
And in the case of IT managers and Computer support services staff, do they really need 64-bit operating systems on their or their users Pc’s or do they really need specialist CAD workstations?
Whilst many firmly ignored the advent of the arrival of a commercially available 64-bit systems because of driver support under Windows XP, now that Vista is firmly entrenched (there’s no getting away from it) IT support staff and business owners really do need to understand what this means to their power users as opposed to ignoring it which many still are.
If your business or the business you support is involved in Digital Content Creation (DCC), Mechanical CAD (MCAD), Electronic Design Automation (EDA) etc. then it is vital (if you care about beating the competition) that you understand your IT policy may be seriously undermining the productivity and effectiveness of the business.
Any good business owner will understand the return on investment that an increase in productivity or a reduction in costs and penalties will give them. And given a reasonable justification why would they not want the business to be more profitable?
If you have specialist users in the business and you have not done so already then, you need to break down the IT budget to meet the needs of two very different types of users to make sure you can effectively support the business.
So why then do so many companies expect their designers and specialist to perform when they are restricted to using hardware that in many cases is less powerful that that used by their children to surf the internet?
Quite simply for company bosses it is more often than not a simple case of a lack of understanding or a lack of information!
If you have specialist users in your business and have not made special provision for them here are some key points to consider:
1. Investment in proper CAD workstations in all but the rarest cases is fully justified, you only need to find out to what level.
2. Minimum requirements mean just that, minimum productivity, minimum life span minimum performance. The question you need to ask is what is the best specification for the software applications that this Cad Workstation will be running for the next 2 years?
3. Engage the help of your software specialist reseller, they will have first hand experience of your requirements and should be your trusted advisors. Heed the advice as your business will make far more from your investment than they will from the small return they get from hardware these days.
And finally try and set your desktop refresh to a maximum of 2 – 3 years if appropriate for you power users.
Their workstations can be effectively re-deployed within the business and will still have a good life as office based machine so you can get a further return on investment for your business hardware.
Information courtesy of Hampshire computer support
