Users say move to 64-bit will be gradual

Computerworld - SEATTLE -- The transition from 32-bit to 64-bit computing will happen "far more rapidly" than did the transitions from 8-bit to 16-bit and 16-bit to 32-bit, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates predicted this week at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference.
Gates extolled the performance, security and reliability benefits of 64-bit computing as the company announced the release of 64-bit editions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional for x86 computers (see story).
But most of the 20 IT managers who responded to a limited Computerworld e-mail poll indicated that it could take years for 64-bit computing to become pervasive in their companies.
"I honestly don't see the need yet for 64-bit on typical desktops. We should be just fine for the next three to four years on a 32-bit platform," said Randy Truax, an information services technical manager at Metro Health Corp. in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Truax added that Metro Health hasn't looked at 64-bit Windows servers, since none of its application vendors have discussed it. He said applications will be the main driver for a move to 64-bit systems.
Gates said he expects database-oriented and terminal-service applications running on servers to be the first to transition to 64-bit computing because of the performance benefits. Microsoft claimed, for instance, that the x64 version of Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services can accommodate up to 170% more users per server than its 32-bit predecessor.
Eight respondents to Computerworld's mini-poll said they're already running databases, ERP/business applications or terminal services on 64-bit servers from Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM, Sun Microsystems Inc. or Unisys Corp. -- although, in some cases, those applications aren't Windows-based.
A CIO at a national retail chain who asked not to be identified, cited the need to handle more sessions on Microsoft's Terminal Server as the driving force in his company's move to dual-processor Dell servers with 64-bit Itanium processors.
But he said he expects it will take some time before custom-developed applications reach critical mass on 64-bit operating systems. "We need to see more off-the-shelf applications that take advantage of the 64-bit platform and have a solid understanding about how the benefits of increased performance will impact the bottom line," he said.
Dave Chacon, technology services manager at golf club maker Ping Inc., a subsidiary of Karsten Manufacturing Corp., said his company runs its Oracle Corp. MRP application on 64-bit Sun hardware. But he expects it will take several years before 64-bit systems are prevalent at Ping, since most of its applications don't need the performance enhancement.