64-bit Processors Speed Digital Asset Management

Ahead of the launch of the new Xeus 64 server on September 5, Silicon Systems, is conducting research in to the benefits 64-bit server processing will bring to the print industry.

Ahead of the launch of the new Xeus 64 server on September 5, Silicon Systems, is conducting research in to the benefits 64-bit server processing will bring to the print industry.

64-bit processing is about capacity and speed, moving bigger files from one place to another faster than before.

Traditional systems usually run 32-bit but a 64-bit systems could boost performance by 50 per cent, said the company.

Resources are more fully utilised and processing speeds can soar with a 64-bit server.

By effectively splitting themselves in two, 64-bit CPU's continue working when traditional 32-bit systems would be held up.

Unfortunately, the occurrences that hold-up traditional systems, such as requesting large amounts of data from the hard drive or running memory intensive applications are essential in the daily routine of a printer.

With 64-bit technology, those processes become a lot less problematic and a lot quicker, providing access to large graphic files in a fraction of the time it might take a 32-bit server.

Silicon Systems, added that because users can access data quicker, it was sensible to store more data.

With 64-bit servers, capacity can be greatly increased and in the case of the Xeus 64, internal capacity can reach 3.2TB, a figure never heard of in the typically affordable range of 32-bit servers.

That development would have benefits when looking at storage and archiving.

The more users can store on their servers, the less they owuld need to pass on to other media, such as CD or DVD to archive.

By centrally storing files they can be easily accessed by all members of staff when they are needed.

Coupled with a digital asset management system, such as wwWebflow, which allows for easy file location.

In Silicon Systems' opinion, users would not need to buy a system that would become increasingly redundant when a 64-bit server is capable of running existing 32-bit applications, as well as current and future 64-bit applications.

For those printers with in-house design studios, Adobe CS2 boasts features that help you make the most of 64-bit processing by accessing higher amounts of RAM and it is Silicon Systems' view that other print application suppliers will be following suit.

The company added that being prepared for the future is a major battle for the print industry and in the fast moving technological environment in which printers operate, being one step ahead of the competition can provide substantial windfalls.

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