32 bit or 64 bit Desktop OS for the FrontEnd Traders in Tokyo?

Nowadays, almost all the machines are coming out with a 64 bit CPU, which can very well have Windows XP or Windows Vista or Windows 7 all, available on 64 bit platform. Fortunately they do not cost us a single penny more than what we already spent on them (I mean if you have a 32 bit OS, you can download a 64 bit OS for the same version of software, that you already purchased, for free).



Now, given the above scenario, shall we all move to 64 bit en masse, if our PCs support?

Well, I am a strong believer of the principle, that if we do not need it, let's NOT go for it. So, do we really need it?

Yes, it is true that 64 bit OS can address and manage a large amount of RAM memory on your desktop. Which in turn means, that if you are stuck with a Financial Organization's Frontend Trader's performance issue with a large Excel file, which is updating using Reuters Quote or Bloomberg Quote, it is definitely going to help. But how large amount of memory is large enough for you? If it is upto 4 GB RAM installed in your PC, the 32 bit software can safely handle it upto 3.2 GB of it. Rest of the 0.8 GB will be kind of wastage. But if it is more than that RAM installed on your PC? Well, then it is surely be wastage, if you are NOT using a 64 bit OS.

Well there is one more advantage to use 64 bit OS. If your traders have more than 2 multitasking applications running on your PC, like say for instance, 2 different instances of Excel, Reuters Xtra, Bloomberg Anywhere Terminal, JIJI, JMS and the mail services, your traders defiitely need a 64 bit OS, for more smooth switching between applications. Keep it in mind though, that if they do not freuently changes the application, the 32 bit may be suffice for them, at least for the time being.

Another most important feature associated with this 64 bit OS is the Kernel Patch protection, which essentially allows no one to compromise the safety, security and reliability of Windows OS. This has been added to the 64 bit Windows Vista and Windows 7, which will help you protect the Kernel of Windows from any impending attack. But please do remember that you still need the antivirus programmes to play safe, as it is only one of the numerous ways that thehackers or attackers used to exploit.

The disadvantages are that you no longer can use 32 bit device drivers or 16 bit applications. For most of the large banks, that I have seen in Tokyo, I do not think, there are any issue, as most of them are running hardware purchased within the last few years. So, I guess, most of the hardware in today's dealing room in Tokyo, does have 64 bit capable procesors along with 64 bit drivers for most of the devices, including printers.

So, now your problem lies with mostly the vendor's aplications, which might not run as it should on a 64 bit OS. So, start talking to them, asking them the date by which, they will come out with this 64 bit version of their application, so that you can play safe, secure and reliability card with the business owners.

Let me know, what all you are thinking in this issue or what is your take? I am an avid listener.

Why should we not replace the Desktops with Laptops in an enterprise Tokyo Financial firm?

For long, I was wondering whether mobility of employees, really means something. After I started my own business, I felt “Yes, it is.”

Currently we use too much of money to purchase non-standard desktops, like Blade Desktops, to reduce the Air-conditioning requirement in a large office. We used Blade Desktops to be hosted in a server room, and then use one long essentially USB cable to connect the display, keyboard and other accessories at the user’s desk. These give us the opportunity to switch the Desktop blade to a different one, in case one particular blade develop a problem.

However, these blades usually cost us too much, in the range of USD 2500 or even more.
Hence I wonder, why should an enterprise will NOT seriously think about an "all laptop" scenario?
The benefits are too much to ignore, in today’s time I felt. At least we should start the discussion.

First immediate benefit is that in case of desktops or blades, which are essentially stationary in your office, you are using the boxes, only in one shift, or for 10 to 12 hours, at the most. Other times of the day and the weekends, holidays etc. , in many places, I have seen, that they are running, without any effective use of their processing power.

Many a times, some ideas came to my mind, but since I did not have my office computer, I thought that I will be doing it in the next day, but I forgot to use it the next day, because I lost my enthusiasm by that time I reach my office or lose the clarity of my thinking, which occurred earlier. If I had a laptop to work on, which I could have brought in my home from the office, I guess I could have doing it at home. I would not have lost the opportunity to perform.

The laptops also will get you a low power consumption during the “sleep” state of theirs, and thereby will consume less power and less Carbon Emission (Green IT), in today’s scenario.
There are many laptop accessories today, which essentially gives you the power to use it for multiple displays, should you require the desktop only for that.

And today’s laptop are sporting Core-2-Quad core processor with memory of up to 16 GB, which leaves you at a level, where you can not simply ignore them, for the lack of their processing power or lack of accommodating memory any more.

There are also more and more models coming out with 2 or more hard disks with speeds up to 7200 RPM or even more, which allows you to use one hard disk for the page file (or swap file) and another as the System partition, to get you more performance out of the box. I guess, that will be enough system performance for one front-end trader’s performance demand.

Yet, if you are still looking for a faster disk to be used, you can as well use Solid State Hard Disks in place of normal Winchester disks, to improve the hard disk access speed by another 30% or so. The SSD disks are available at the size of 128 or 256 GB. Though they are at such a cost (a 128 GB SSD might cost you USD 340 in Akihabara, Tokyo), I wonder, whether you need them today. However, undoubtedly, your options remain open.

Having a laptop at home, and a desktop at office, also is a preferred choice for some financial companies in Tokyo. This effectively lacks the synchronization of the last bit of work that I did in my office desktop to have it in my laptop. Moreover I have to use 2 machines, for work of a same person. Is it really justified?

Finally Windows 7 desktop OS in conjunction with Windows 7 gives you incredible possibilities, to use Location Aware Printing kind of feature, using which I guess, you can restrict, some of your trading terminals, not to be used out of your office network. Thereby, you are satisfying the Financial Services Agency of Japan or FSA regulations complied.
Laptop theft also can be stopped with specific services.

After considering all of the above, I honestly feel that time has come to discard the stale and stationary desktops and replace them with powerful laptops. Let us know your opinion about it.