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.

Data Center Disaster Recovery Plan - Do it or "Die"?

Does your organization have a data center disaster recovery plan? If you belong to a very large organization like a bank or large corporate entity the chances are very high that the answer is affirmative. But, if you have a small to mid size business there is a fair chance that your business does not have a comprehensive data center disaster recovery plan. Very often, companies and individuals get bogged down in the day to day tasks of making money, paying bills, supplying merchandise etc. and a recovery plan is something that is always on the "to do" list but never quite gets "done".

It's never going to be convenient to take care of this crucial matter but it's really important to get it done. Many organizations have suffered for the lack of a data center disaster recovery plan. They were too busy dealing with other pressing issues and they did not take out the time to put together a viable plan. When the "crash" came the companies came crashing down along with all of their critical data.

Nobody gets warned before a disaster occurs. And, it doesn't necessarily mean an earthquake or nuclear disaster! Computers and disk drives are known to "crash" and when they do the results are nothing short of disastrous. Think of any company that holds data on their customers, billing and merchandise. Without this data the company cannot function. And, even if there is a data center recovery plan, it has to be one that can be activated at a moment's notice and retrieve lost data quickly. Some business pay dearly for each hour of downtime. I believe ebay was down for a mere few hours a few years ago and it cost them millions of dollars!!!

Don't take chances with your business, thinking, "it won't happen to me". It may just happen. And why take chances. Just like you pay insurance on the chance that something will happen, the same applies here. It's highly important to prepare your business for any possible disaster even if the possibility appears to be remote that anything will happen.

Having a computer backup system is important even if no major calamity happens. A good computer backup system will provide your systems with important features such as data security, file restoration (in the event that a particular file gets corrupted) and good quality documentation. If one or a few files get corrupted for some reason (and this stuff does happen) a good backup system will have your files back up and running in no time, minimizing damage to your business and reputation.

The cost of putting in place a good data center disaster recovery plan is always an important factor. Cost usually is comprised of a combination of the price of the system and the time you must take to implement the system. There is also a learning curve to take into consideration. But, when implemented properly a good computer backup system can give you a very good return on your investment. Not only can you sleep more easily at night knowing that your business data is secure, you will be saving money in the long run by keeping your business running properly even during or after a catastrophe.

So, don't put off setting up your own data center disaster recovery plan. Put one in place and protect yourself and your business so all your hard work and profits don't go down the drain in a matter of seconds, as a result of one bolt of lightning or earthquake.