Familiar Problems?
Users downloading and installing software from the internet
onto the network or local machines. Solution…
A new patch is released for a commonly used
piece of software. The patch needs deploying to all the user
machines on the network. Solution…
A user calls the help desk to report that
a mobile device, PDA or mobile phone, is not syncing correctly
with his / her computer. Solution…
A new piece of software is approved for use
on all machines on the network.(Similar scenario for a common
piece of software requiring an upgrade – like from Word XP
to Word 2003) Solution…
Overcoming end user and network problems
without an accurate and up-to-date hardware and software inventory
in the today’s complex world of IT is quite simply an impossibility.
New software installations, hardware upgrades, IT projects
and network management just cannot be handled in an organised
and timely fashion without accurate network information. Software
manufacturers are increasing the pressure on companies to
audit license compliance, while the penalty for illegally
using software rises. Licensing packages are becoming ever
more complex, particularly for larger installations making
license and cost management even more difficult.
Open Business Systems can take away this
headache with a market leading piece of software called Centennial
Discovery. You can manage it yourself or allow us to maintain
this information on your behalf. Find out more
about Centennial Discovery…
Almost every company is dependant on its
IT systems to work efficiently. Just think for a minute what
the impact would be of a hardware failure and suddenly, there
is no more IT? Don’t be fooled by these myths.
Myth #1
Small-to-medium (SME)-sized enterprises don’t need business
continuity and disaster recovery solutions. Many SME’s don’t
feel they need business continuity or disaster recovery solutions
because they are too small or believe solutions for their
organisation are too expensive.
Exploding myth #1
Small businesses have the same need for protection and access
to data and records as large organisations. Business continuity
and disaster recovery solutions are scaleable - from the Fortune
1000 to the one-man-band, and can be tailored to meet any
company’s needs. There are an abundance of relevant articles
and resources available for small business owners on implementing
a business continuity plan, identifying common hazards, evaluating
key issues, and finding the right plan to meet SMB needs.
Without comprehensive investment or coverage
a catastrophic event will most likely put the SME out of business.
Myth #2
There is no ROI or compelling business reason for business
continuity.
Exploding myth #2
Business continuity planning efforts make money for a firm
as they serve to minimise disruptions and financial loss during
even minor events. This means increased reliability and productivity,
a competitive advantage and increased market share. When disaster
strikes and employees can’t do their jobs, what’s the cost
to the business and to competitive advantage? Can businesses
tolerate eight to 24 hours of lost data? The ROI of business
continuity is that the business is still open.
Myth #3
‘It won’t happen here’ syndrome
Companies often turn a blind eye to business continuity regulations
and compliances, because they feel they are adequately prepared
for disaster recovery or for the next ‘big one,’ and frankly,
take the ‘it won’t happen here’ attitude.
Exploding myth #3
A study conducted by KPMG/Continuity Insights, found that
business executives are uninformed about the risks that can,
and very possibly will, affect their company. When surveying
the executives responsible for disaster recovery and business
continuity efforts, they found that 80 percent believed their
company was at risk and, at the same time, that they had not
communicated this knowledge to upper management. There is
a communication gap that needs to be closed because the ramifications
could be disastrous. Companies that ignore business continuity
regulations and compliances are worse off and could be in
violation of business regulations. Business continuity regulations
are put in place to guide organisations in making smart decisions
about selecting the right portfolio for long-terms results.
One truth to explode them all
There is a simple solution to dispelling all of the myths
above: developing a holistic approach to business continuity
and disaster recovery. Awareness of disaster recovery and
business continuity as a holistic approach is changing the
market and there is a change underway from business continuity
planning being an option to being mandatory.
The bottom line: No matter
what size the business or the perception of invincibility
to disaster, there needs to be an additional layer of protection
to the business.
