No Data Center Disaster Recovery Plan - What, Me Worry?

When you're just starting off a new business a data center disaster recovery plan just doesn't seem all that necessary, not even a priority. You watch every nickel until the bottom line starts to go black. Then your every thought is how to grow that number and then begin to take some of it for yourself. It probably never enters the new business owner's mind that everything she has worked on could be wiped out in a moment. You may have insurance on your buildings and equipment and material things, but what about all your records and other data?

Perhaps you think that nothing will hit your computers. You are somehow immune to all the viruses and trojans and hackers who dedicate their lives to bringing down data systems, as well as software and mechanical failure. Perhaps horrific thunderstorms, floods, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards and other natural disasters that affect electronic things will never happen where you are. Perhaps you think you don't have any worthwhile electronic data to be lost. If you look honestly, it's not very likely any of these will be true. The fact is, having a well-designed data center disaster recovery plan always makes good sense. Why is that?

1. Reassuring to customers and employees. Customers like to deal with a company that takes their transactions and other records seriously enough to make sure they can always access them. Employees, too, will feel proud and more confident about their company, knowing that there is protection against disaster. They will be more confident knowing their company is planning ahead and is ready for the unexpected, increasing the likelihood it will be able to deal successfully with whatever may come its way. This level of reassurance helps keep employees and current clients loyal and is also a valid point to raise with potential clients who would prefer to deal with a reliable company that is prepared for worst case contingencies.

2. Accurate tracking of files and folders. One of the integral parts in any data center disaster recovery plan are computer backup systems. In order for these to be set up, the data's file structure must be accurately documented and this, in itself, can be a big boon to the business. The good systems can sort and organize data quickly and easily, which could be enormously helpful in case of need to find or restore files or programs that have been lost or deleted by accident.

3. File integrity. There are so many ways a file can become corrupted these days. There are viruses and worms and myriad hacker tricks, disgruntled employees, as well as just plain old software malfunctions. If one of those corrupted files is a super important document, like, say, the master copy of your company's primary ebook product, then you will have a lot of reconstructing to do. There could be sensitive information needed to triumph in a lawsuit. The corrupted file could be part of a program that you need and then the program could quit running altogether or just barely run at a crawl. Any of these could put a serious dent in your bottom line if the corrupted file can not be fixed quickly. But if you have a computer backup system, these problems can be fixed on the fly by restoring the corrupted files from the originals in your backup system and you're back up business in no time at all.

4. Productivity. If files that are part of a critical program or process are damaged or deleted somehow, the ability of your company to carry out it's normal functions could be seriously hampered. But computer backup systems can get productivity right back up to normal by restoring the damaged or deleted files so you get a momentary lag in productivity, as opposed to a major delay or stoppage. It's useful to remember that data center disaster recovery plans aren't just for calamities. They are also very useful in taking care of less serious problems immediately so they don't cause major delays or shutdowns in productivity.

5. Good for the bottom line. Yes, putting the necessary dollars into a data center disaster recovery plan can actually save you money. If you consider how it can prevent and solve data problems ranging from small to significant that could negatively affect your ability to be productive and do business then you can see how it will save money over the long haul. There are also the improvements in your image that could help employee and client loyalty, retention, and acquisition.

6. Calamity avoided. From time to time, natural or man made disaster strikes. When that happens, all the onsite data is lost and the business is at a standstill until and unless the data is restored. Those businesses that had online computer backups will soon have all their data restored and be ready to get on with business as soon as the disaster passes. No worries. Those without online computer backups, however, will be passionately wishing they had taken the need for a sound data center disaster recovery plan seriously as they set about rebuilding every single byte of their business from scratch. Big worries.