Innovative Visions

You may or may not have noticed that our blog was down for a short time recently and just came back online. It went down when we tried upgrading the backend of the system and it didn’t match up well with the database. However, thanks to a backup of the data (both in a SQL formal and Word docs for each post, which was all then imaged to another disc) we are back up and running… There will be more changes coming to our blog soon so you can be sure there are fresh backups already made in anticipation of the problems we all know happen. Remember, if nothing else, that there is a 100% chance of a disc failing… and the web spreads out from there.

While recently working on a project involving the “soft” costs associated with backing up a company’s data, an IV partner provided me with an excellent collection of statistics pertaining to this subject. I’ve listed it below for your reference and welcome any questions you may have. Of course these numbers fluctuate by a couple of percentage points depending on who you ask, but the point is still made crystal clear… back up your data (preferably not on a PC in your CEO’s basement)!

« 34% of companies fail to test their tape backups, and of those that do, 77% have found tape back-up failures.

« 60% of companies that lose their data will shut down within 6 months of the disaster.

« As much as 60% of corporate data resides unprotected on PC desktops and laptops.

« Key causes of data loss:
78% Hardware or System Malfunction
11% Human Error
7% Software Corruption or Program Malfunction
2% Computer Viruses
1% Natural Disasters
1% Other

« 25 percent of users frequently back up digital files, while 85 percent of computer users say they are very concerned about losing important digital data.

« More than 22 percent said backing up information is on their to-do list, but they seldom do it.

« 30 percent of companies report that they still do not have a disaster recovery program in place and two in three companies feel their data backup and disaster recovery plans have significant vulnerabilities.

« 1 in 20-25 notebooks are stolen, broken or destroyed each year.

« Today’s hard drives store 500 times the data stored on the drives of a decade ago. Increasing storage capacities amplify the impact of data loss, making mechanical precision more critical.

« The average failure rate of disk and tape drives is 100% - All drives eventually fail.

« 30% chance that you will have a corrupted file within a one-year time frame.

« More than 50 percent of customers surveyed said their current backup solution does not meet their needs.

As I woke up this morning there was an unusual feeling of peace and quiet about this great city of Boston I live in. Walking the dog around the block there weren’t any charred remains of cars, drunken college kids still celebrating or any sense that this is January in Boston (except that bitter wind rolling off the water). I’m slowly coming to my senses and realizing that there will still be a Super Bowl in two weeks, despite the lack of familiar names and faces on the field.

So, here is the number one priority in the off-season: If the Kraft family (you know the one that owns everything you eat, clean your house with and then some) isn’t going to make the necessary sacrifices, I guess Innovative Visions will have to… And by this, I mean IV will be purchasing the Patriots a brand new, shiny set of receivers for next season.

However, in order to afford the millions and millions of dollars necessary to attract someone who actually wants to run the right pattern AND catch the ball, we need to increase our portfolio of customers. Therefore, IV is officially accepting new clients with the hope that this investment and hard work will pay off next January in the form of a trip to the Super Bowl (for the Patriots that is). Thank you for your time.

As we’re approaching another hurricane season in the Western Hemisphere, it is certainly time to ensure that our disaster planning and recovery procedures are in place. This is a business-critical exercise that should be completed and then tested on an annual basis. However, with the looming threat of another wicked storm season approaching, there’s no time like the present to get this done now!

According to NOAA, the 2006 hurricane season is set to be very active.

“For the 2006 north Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could become ‘major’ hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher,” added retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. 

With an average of 11 named storms per year, with six becoming hurricanes, 2006 is set to be more extreme than usual, but not yet defined to be worse than what we saw last year (if you can imagine that).

And if you aren’t located along the Gulf Coast or the Florida peninsula, don’t think that you’re immune. Multiple private, educational and governmental organizations have warned the East Coast of the United States is far overdue for a major hurricane. Here is just one example. Now I’m not one to spread fear unnecessarily among the masses, but there are certain pending events for which we must at least properly prepare.

I’ve seen a number of companies starting to secure their data offsite and create contingency plans for evacuation before a storm and plans for recommencing business afterwards (either in the same location or at a remote site). Some of the very key things you can do to protect your business can be found on the American Red Cross’ website. However, some of the basics are ensuring that your UPS batteries are in working order and have the capability to handle the load should the power fail. Also, ensure that any AC units in server rooms and cabinets are fully functional. There are many options available which allow you to backup your data remotely, over the WAN. How easy would it be to port your phone numbers to an alternative location? Have you even checked? Are your users’ PC’s up, off the floor in case of flooding? Is the data on those PC’s backed up to the server? (This is something that should be done no matter what anyway!)

If you or your department managers aren’t sure about where to start or would like a third party to audit your preparedness with a third set of eyes, please let us know and we’d be happy to lend a hand.