When disaster strikes

Sun, 28/08/2011 - 13:35 - Permalink

We have seen in the past days that we are not in control of how weather behaves. Our New York office is located in an area that was evacuated when Hurricane Irene visited the US East Coast. But business never stopped. When we look at Belgian and Dutch small and medium businesses, we still feel a very reluctant behaviour when it comes to ensuring your business to reopen tomorrow.And it doesn't have to be only to prepare for a hurricane. Emergencies and disasters come in all kinds.

Being prepared for any emergency is as simple as planning ahead. Make sure everyone in your small business works together to make a plan, gather emergency supplies, and understand the hazards they may face. Learn how your business can take control in an emergency.

Checklist - items to consider:

  1. Have you agreed with your co-workers where you will meet after a disaster. Your plan should have two locations: one close to the office, the other one outsode the immediate area.
  2. Do you have a list of all employees so you can try to contact them after a disaster?
  3. Do you knwo what information you will need after the disaster to restart you business as soon as possible?

Of course, you will have a longer list of items and tasks...

 

From an ict-point of view, a good solution does not means you have to invest millions of euros: ict4me provides services that can prepare you, within your budget while making your business ready to open the next day:

"get ready" services

ict4me will provide to its customers - tht suscribed to the complete back-up services - an online back-up of critical data: our consultants will define with you what data and applications you will need if your systems are unavaibale for 1, 2, 5, 10- days... We will ensure that a recent copy of that data and the availbility of the software. Depending on the desired speed of recovery, we can add extra services:

  • a working computer system for your key-people
    We will provide you with a working computer unit, installed with your core software, so you can get back working for your customers
  • voice in the cloud
    One of our new services is delivering you with a virtual phone system, hosted in our location. In case your office is unaccessible, you still can pick up the phone from any location where you have access to the internet
  • a location
    we have prepared with some partners locations where you and your coworkers can go when your builing becomes inaccessible. High speed internet access and connectivity to our datacenters is set up permanently, we have parking and will serve a good coffee when you arrive here.
  • complete disaster recovery
    When your business cannot survive without even the smallest outage, we have all it takes to create a tailormade package, including above and other services to ensure your business continuity
  • Etc... We are ready to work with you on any or all the items in your ICT-continuity strategy. We have the tools to keep you in business.

We hope you never need these, but we better be prepared!

 

Koen