Category Archives: Disaster Recovery

The Overlooked Factor That Can Make Or Break Your Business

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When business owners think about what drives success, they usually focus on customer service, product quality, and financial management. But there’s one vital element that often gets overlooked because it doesn’t seem exciting: your technology.

Yes, technology. It might feel like a background player, but it’s actually the backbone of your business operations. If your systems go down, your sales stop. If your team can’t communicate, collaboration suffers. And if your data isn’t secure, your reputation and bottom line are at risk.

As we move into Q2, now’s the perfect time to ask: Is your technology pushing your business forward, or holding it back?

The Real Cost Of Poor IT Support Many companies settle for “just good enough” IT because they believe it saves money. In reality, it can quietly cost you in major ways:

  • Downtime Kills Productivity: Unreliable systems cause interruptions that disrupt workflows and frustrate employees. Even one hour of downtime during peak operations can cause lost revenue and harm your brand.
  • Security Risks Are Skyrocketing: In 2024, cyberattacks rose 75% year over year. Businesses saw an average of 1,876 attacks per week. Outdated systems and lack of protection leave you wide open.
  • Missed Growth Opportunities: Falling behind in technology means missing out on automation, integration, and analytics that competitors are using to work faster and smarter.
  • Low Morale, Unhappy Customers: Frequent IT issues create friction for your team and frustration for your customers. That frustration turns into bad reviews, lost clients, and employee turnover.

How Great IT Support Powers Growth Partnering with the right IT provider isn’t just about tech fixes. It’s about using technology as a strategic asset to boost productivity, secure your business, and fuel growth.

1. Boost Productivity With Smart Tools

  • Automate Routine Tasks: Tools like Microsoft Power Automate or Zapier free your team from repetitive work.
  • Collaborate Anywhere: Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and cloud file sharing let your team work in sync from anywhere.
  • Connect Your Systems: Integrating CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce with other tools keeps everyone organized and efficient.

2. Build A Fortress Around Your Data

  • Layered Security: Firewalls, endpoint protection, and secure e-mail gateways are just the beginning.
  • Zero Trust Security: Ensure only verified users can access sensitive systems.
  • Train Your Team: Phishing simulations and awareness training empower employees to be your first line of defense.

3. Plan For Growth, Not Just Today

  • Scalable Infrastructure: Cloud platforms like AWS or Azure grow with you.
  • Turn Data Into Strategy: Tools like Power BI deliver insights you can act on.
  • Strategic Road Maps: A proactive IT partner will build a plan to align your tech with your business goals.

4. Save Money & Stay Agile

  • Predictable Costs: Managed IT means consistent monthly fees instead of surprise repair bills.
  • Prevent Downtime: Regular maintenance keeps systems healthy and operational.
  • Cut Infrastructure Costs: Cloud migration reduces the need for expensive hardware and upkeep.

Tech Upgrades That Drive Impact To stay competitive, consider reviewing:

  • Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, VoIP
  • Cloud Services: Azure, AWS, Google Cloud
  • Cybersecurity Essentials: MFA, endpoint protection, IAM, secure backups
  • Analytics Platforms: Power BI, Tableau
  • Automation Tools: Zapier, Power Automate
  • CRM Systems: HubSpot, Salesforce
  • Hardware: Modern servers, SSD workstations, and Wi-Fi 6 networking gear

Let’s Talk About Your Tech We’re currently offering a FREE Network Assessment to help identify risks and opportunities in your current IT setup.

Ready to turn your technology into a growth engine? Call us at 214-550-0550 or schedule a consultation here. Let’s make sure your tech is working as hard as you are.

Spring-Clean Your Computer Network

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Spring is finally here, bringing the perfect opportunity to declutter—not just your office, but your IT systems as well. A thorough “spring-clean” of your business technology can help eliminate inefficiencies, strengthen security, and improve overall performance. By refreshing your IT infrastructure, you can operate more efficiently, minimize costly downtime, and focus on growing your business without tech distractions.

Where should you start? While the standard “delete old files and update your software” advice is important, here are five additional strategies to truly optimize your business systems this season.

1. Conduct a Comprehensive IT Audit

Spring is the ideal time to take a deep dive into your entire IT environment, from hardware and software to user access and security policies. As you conduct this audit, pay special attention to:

  • Outdated hardware – Identify devices nearing the end of their lifecycle that could be slowing down operations.
  • Underutilized software – Review software licenses and eliminate subscriptions you no longer need.
  • Redundant systems – Remove duplicate tools or processes that don’t align with your workflows.

💡 Pro Tip: Work with your IT provider to identify and prioritize necessary improvements, ensuring your IT budget is spent wisely.

🔔 Important Reminder: Windows 10 support will end in October 2025. If your business is still using Windows 10, now is the time to start planning your transition to ensure uninterrupted support and security.

2. Clean Up Your Active Directory for Better Security

Your Active Directory (or equivalent system) is the backbone of your network’s security and efficiency. However, without regular maintenance, it can become cluttered with unnecessary user accounts and outdated permissions, leading to security risks.

  • Remove inactive user accounts – Former employees’ accounts create unnecessary vulnerabilities.
  • Review and update permissions – Ensure employees only have access to the data and systems necessary for their roles.
  • Document all changes – Maintain a record of modifications to prevent confusion or errors in the future.

A well-maintained directory isn’t just about organization—it’s a crucial layer of protection against unauthorized access and data breaches.

3. Optimize Your Network for Hybrid and Remote Work

As hybrid and remote work remain a standard practice, it’s essential to ensure your network is optimized for seamless collaboration and security.

  • Upgrade your VPN – Ensure your virtual private network (VPN) is secure, scalable, and capable of handling increased remote access.
  • Assess bandwidth usage – Identify bottlenecks that slow productivity and address underutilized resources.
  • Enable encrypted file-sharing – Use secure document-sharing tools to reduce data exposure risks.

It’s also a good time to review vendor security policies. Past data breaches have shown how crucial it is to work with third-party vendors that prioritize cybersecurity. Make sure you’re taking all necessary precautions to safeguard your data.

4. Test Your Backups with a Full Restore

Having a backup system is essential—but when was the last time you tested it? Too often, businesses discover that their backups are corrupt, incomplete, or impossible to restore only after a disaster occurs.

  • Perform a full restore test to ensure your backup system works as expected.
  • Measure recovery time – Document how long it takes to restore critical systems and identify areas for improvement.

💡 Remember: A backup is only as good as its ability to restore your data when you need it most. Unexpected disasters happen, and preparation is key to minimizing downtime.

5. Update & Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Strategy

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their attack methods, so your cybersecurity strategy should evolve, too.

  • Review endpoint protection – Ensure all business and employee-owned devices used remotely are secured.
  • Update your incident response plan – Train your team on the latest threats and verify that your emergency contact lists are up to date.
  • Invest in advanced monitoring tools – AI-driven security solutions can proactively detect and neutralize threats before they cause damage.

🔒 Cybersecurity Best Practice Alert: The old advice to frequently change passwords is outdated. Today, using long, complex passwords or passphrases combined with multifactor authentication (MFA) is the best way to secure your accounts.

A Clean IT System = A More Productive & Secure Business

Spring-cleaning your IT infrastructure isn’t just about getting organized—it’s about ensuring your business runs smoothly and securely year-round. By taking these steps now, you can reduce downtime, enhance productivity, and stay ahead of emerging cyberthreats.

Want to take your IT optimization even further? Start with a FREE Network Assessment to identify vulnerabilities and ensure your systems are operating at peak performance.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today!

7 Signs It’s Time to Enhance Your IT Support with Co-Managed IT Service

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When it comes to IT support, many businesses settle for “good enough,” assuming it’s all they need. But what if your current IT provider or in-house team is actually holding your business back?

Co-managed IT services offer a collaborative approach that combines the strengths of your internal team with the expertise of a professional IT partner. If any of these signs resonate, it might be time to consider co-managed IT to fill the gaps and supercharge your IT strategy.

1. IT Emergencies Take Too Long to Resolve

When critical systems fail or a cybersecurity breach occurs, time is of the essence. If your IT team or provider isn’t available to resolve issues quickly, it’s time to enhance your support. Co-managed IT offers 24/7 monitoring and rapid response to minimize downtime and keep your business running.

2. Your IT Team is Overwhelmed

Internal IT teams often wear too many hats, leaving little time for proactive improvements. Co-managed IT takes the pressure off by handling tasks like system monitoring, patch management, and troubleshooting, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives.

3. Cybersecurity Isn’t a Strength

Cybersecurity requires constant attention and expertise. If your team struggles to keep up with the latest threats, co-managed IT can fill the gap with:

  • Advanced threat monitoring.
  • Ransomware protection.
  • Comprehensive data backup solutions.

A strong co-managed IT partner brings the tools and expertise needed to keep your business safe.

4. Support is Slow or Inconsistent

Does your current setup leave employees waiting for help? If issues linger unresolved or your ticketing system is inefficient, a co-managed IT approach can streamline support. With access to a dedicated IT partner, your team gets the consistent, reliable assistance they need.

5. You’re Not Getting Clear Reporting or Billing

IT budgets shouldn’t be a guessing game. Co-managed IT services provide transparent reporting on system performance, project timelines, and costs, so you always know what you’re paying for and why.

6. Backups Aren’t Being Tested

Backups are only useful if they work when you need them. Regular testing is essential to ensure data can be recovered in a disaster. Co-managed IT ensures that backups are tested routinely, giving you peace of mind that your data is protected.

7. IT Projects Are Always Delayed

If IT projects consistently miss deadlines or go over budget, it’s a sign your current team may need additional resources. Co-managed IT provides extra manpower and expertise to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

How Co-Managed IT Can Transform Your Business

Co-managed IT is more than just outsourcing—it’s a partnership. By combining your in-house team’s knowledge with the expertise of a trusted IT provider, you gain:

  • Proactive monitoring and issue resolution.
  • Advanced cybersecurity solutions.
  • Streamlined operations and improved productivity.

With co-managed IT, your business can scale its IT capabilities without the need to hire and train additional staff.

Let’s Get Started

Is your IT support falling short? Whether you need to augment your internal team or add proactive IT management, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us at 214-550-0550 or Book a FREE Network Assessment today. Let’s work together to build a smarter, more secure IT environment for your business.

Stop settling for “good enough.” See what co-managed IT can do for your organization.

New Year, New Tech: Top IT Upgrades to Transform Your Business in 2025

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The start of a new year is more than just resolutions—it’s the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your business’s technology. With 2025 ushering in rapid advancements and an AI-driven digital landscape, staying competitive requires IT solutions that enhance efficiency, fortify security, and future-proof your operations.

Outdated IT systems can cost SMBs dearly: ITIC reports that IT downtime averages $1,670 per minute per server. Beyond the financial toll, inefficiencies—like dropped calls, slow internet, and poorly organized cloud systems—create disruptions that hinder productivity.

Here are the top IT upgrades to help your business thrive in 2025:

1. Move to the Cloud: Flexibility Meets Cost Savings

Cloud solutions are no longer optional—they’re essential for businesses aiming to stay efficient and competitive. Cloud technologies go beyond file storage, driving collaboration, business continuity, and scalability.

4. Leverage AI-Powered Tools

Key benefits include:

  • Reduced reliance on physical servers.
  • Scalable resources tailored to your business.
  • Lower IT maintenance costs.

Businesses using cloud solutions see an average 20% reduction in IT expenses (Flexera). If you haven’t embraced the cloud yet, now’s the time.

2. Fortify Your Cybersecurity Strategy

With cybercrime expected to cost businesses $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures), robust security is non-negotiable. Protect your business with:

  • Endpoint detection and response (EDR).
  • Multifactor authentication (MFA).
  • Proactive threat monitoring via managed security service providers (MSSPs).

Investing in cybersecurity safeguards your operations, reputation, and customer trust.

3. Upgrade Your Hardware

Outdated hardware slows productivity and increases vulnerabilities. If your computers, servers, or network devices are aging, consider modern replacements.

What to prioritize:

  • Energy-efficient devices.
  • Windows 11 compatibility (Windows 10 support ends in October 2025—don’t wait until the last minute!).
  • Hardware designed for AI and cloud computing.

AI is no longer a luxury; it’s a must-have for businesses seeking operational efficiency. AI-driven tools can:

  • Automate repetitive tasks.
  • Enhance customer service with smart chatbots.
  • Deliver real-time insights to improve decision-making.

For IT teams, AI can proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact operations, ensuring smoother business continuity.

5. Adopt Unified Communications (UCaaS)

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) integrates email, phone, video conferencing, and chat into one seamless platform, streamlining communication and collaboration.

Pro Tip: Choose a UCaaS provider with robust security and integration features to simplify adoption across your business.

Tailor IT Upgrades to Your Needs
Every business is unique, and IT solutions should be customized to your specific goals. A FREE Network Assessment is a great way to evaluate your current infrastructure, identify inefficiencies, and prioritize investments for maximum impact.

Ready to future-proof your business for 2025?
Call us at 214-550-0550 or click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today. Let’s build a smarter, more secure IT environment for your business!

The Hidden Risks of Taking Shortcuts in IT Security

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A recent study by the National Cancer Institute in Maryland analyzed data from three significant US health studies, revealing a surprising statistic: people who took daily multivitamins had a 4% higher mortality rate than those who didn’t. This unexpected finding brings to mind a scene from the movie Grumpy Old Men, where a character, despite his unhealthy lifestyle, outlives many who followed strict health regimens. The takeaway? Shortcuts to achieving meaningful goals often lead to unintended consequences.

In various areas of life, including diet, we see that easy solutions can result in serious problems. For example, labels like “fat-free” or “sugar-free” might encourage people to overindulge, negating any potential benefits. The Atkins diet, which promises easy weight loss by cutting out carbs, has been linked to numerous health issues due to an unbalanced diet. Similarly, weight-loss drugs like Ozempic have led to serious health complications, reminiscent of the dangers posed by quick fixes like Fen-Phen in the 1990s.

In the IT world, shortcuts are equally dangerous. Many businesses try to meet compliance requirements or protect themselves from data breaches by taking the easiest, cheapest routes. It’s common to see companies relying on free antivirus or firewall software found through a quick online search, underestimating the risks involved. Small businesses often think they’re too insignificant to be targeted by cybercriminals, but in reality, these businesses are prime targets precisely because they tend to have weaker defenses.

Another common mistake is entrusting IT management to someone with basic tech knowledge but lacking professional expertise. When businesses eventually upgrade to professional IT services, they often discover numerous inefficiencies and vulnerabilities that had previously gone unnoticed. The problem isn’t the intent but the lack of necessary skills and resources, which significantly increases risk.

However, not all shortcuts are bad. Handing over IT responsibilities to an experienced managed services provider can be the ideal “easy button.” By partnering with professionals who understand your industry and its specific requirements, you can achieve compliance, security, and operational efficiency without the associated stress.

Choosing the right IT provider is crucial. History has shown us that even experts can be convincingly wrong, as evidenced by past medical practices like lobotomies or financial scams like Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. That’s why it’s essential to thoroughly vet potential IT partners, ask the right questions, and seek testimonials from other clients.

When selecting an IT provider to manage your network, take the decision seriously. You don’t need to know every technical detail, but it’s your responsibility to ask questions, request client testimonials, and hire someone trustworthy. Your company’s security, reputation, and future could be at stake if the wrong person mishandles your business. To help with this, I’ve created a FREE guide that outlines 16 essential questions you need to ask before letting anyone touch your network. It’s a valuable resource for every business owner.

If you’re ready to entrust your IT to a reliable team of experts, we’re here to help. Our team is ready to manage your network, allowing you to focus on growing your business while we focus on what we do best: protecting it. Check out our website for real client reviews!

To get started, give us a call at 214-550-0550 or click here to book your FREE Cyber Security Risk Assessment today.

Outdated Technology Is Costing Your Organization Money

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Is your organization currently bleeding money due to its reliance on outdated technology? The answer is likely yes. A recent survey by Deloitte revealed that a staggering 82% of companies failed to meet their cost-reduction targets last year, with an inefficient technology infrastructure being the primary culprit.

The 2024 poll of nearly 300 business leaders on business margin improvement and technology transformation efforts revealed that challenges with their technology infrastructure are the biggest barrier to organizations seeking to improve margins by cutting costs. This same study found that over 50% of the respondents reported that leveraging data and generative AI strategies for improving margins would be their focus for 2024.

What does this tell us? Organizations are looking to adopt new, automated, AI-powered ways of doing business to save money and improve efficiency but are held back by antiquated technology.

Why Should Businesses Upgrade Their Technology?

Legacy systems, typically categorized as technology that’s at least a decade old, can quickly become expensive to maintain. They are slower, need constant updates and patches, and don’t leverage new features as they’re developed. As a result, businesses struggle to keep up with their tech-savvy competitors in every area of the organization, from scaling and cloud usage to human resources and customer service operations.

But that’s not the only issue. Outdated technology increases your risk of cyber-attacks. Old technology typically cannot keep up with the rapidly changing world of cyber security. As new, more malicious threats emerge, older technology eventually becomes incapable of keeping up with the latest updates required to keep your network secure.

So, why do business owners put off updating technology when the data clearly shows that it will positively impact productivity and the bottom line? There are a couple of reasons, the main one being sticker shock. Seeing the price of updating technology infrastructure can feel overwhelming. Smart business leaders run through risk-related questions like “What if something breaks?” or “What if it doesn’t work like they say it will?” However, the data shows that maintaining old technology could be more costly. A separate Deloitte study of CIOs in 2023 found that respondents spent an average of 55% of their technology budget on maintaining their existing systems.

There’s also the cost of switching. What will bringing systems down and transitioning to a new system cost? What will the cost be to train employees to use the software? These are all questions your IT team can help you answer BEFORE you start upgrading your technology. An experienced technician will help you analyze your system to see what needs to be updated and when, and map out a plan to upgrade your system in the most efficient way possible. It’s easier than most business leaders think and pays off in increased productivity and profitability.

If you’re looking to upgrade your technology or are just tired of slow, outdated tech and want to see what the next step could look like, we’ll do a FREE Network Assessment. Our techs will dig into your system and determine what you need to get technology that helps you run your business better. To book your assessment, call us at 214-550-0550 or click here to schedule now.

Data backup planning: 10 best practices for protection

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I was this article today and thought I would share & add my two cents worth.

For most organizations, loss of business data could spell disaster. Possible outcomes include reputational damage, regulatory penalties, loss of competitive advantage and damage to customer service. Ultimately, it could mean the end of the business.

 

Here’s a look at the top five tape storage backup and recovery tips of 2009. Learn about tape backup and tape trends in 2009 with these top tips.

No business wants to lose data — of any kind — so it’s essential that all relevant data and databases are protected. The most effective way to achieve that goal is to establish data backup planning procedures with secure technology that not only protects data, but enables it to be quickly and securely accessible.

Here are 10 best practices for optimizing data backup planning activities.

Establish data backup, data retention and data destruction policies. These three policies comprise the foundation of a secure data backup program. Policies are also essential when an audit is being conducted. Data backup translates to the process of identifying data to be backed up, the frequency and timing of backups, the tools and technology to be used for backups, and the process for accessing backed-up data. Data retention defines what data will be retained, the format in which the data is stored and the duration of the storage. Finally, data destruction defines what data is to be destroyed, when it takes place, and the process for destroying the data and the media on which it is stored.

Plan for dramatically increasing amounts of data. Regardless of what your current data storage requirements are, plan your backup needs on the basis that your capacity is likely to grow annually. Whatever storage resources you have in place now — whether on-site or remote/cloud — be sure you can scale quickly and cost-effectively if needed.

Ensure backed-up data is secure and protected from unauthorized access. We have seen far too many examples of cybersecurity breaches where large amounts of data are stolen or compromised. Whether data is stored on-site or remotely, ensure the resources needed for confidentiality, integrity and availability enable data to be protected from unauthorized access, prevent alterations or changes, and allow access anytime and from anywhere via secure technologies.

Build a backup environment composed of multiple elements. While many organizations still use on-site physical data storage arrangements, such as file servers, NAS and tape, the growth and acceptance of remote and cloud-based storage options are significant. Costs for remote storage make those options increasingly affordable, and assuming their security arrangements are robust, remote storage is a major best practice. The 3-2-1 Rule for data backup planning states there should be at least three copies of data available, stored on at least two storage devices and that at least one of those devices is located remotely. Major cloud storage providers, such as Amazon, IBM and Microsoft, offer an array of options and pricing plans.

Optimize backup plans and procedures to business requirements. It’s simple to have a backup program that requires once-daily backups of incremental data changes and once-weekly backups of all data. But if your organization is subject to regulatory requirements, you may need to have a backup arrangement for the regulated data and another one for other business data. Some data may need to be backed up or replicated almost immediately, while other data can be backed up daily or even weekly. Your data backup program should be based on your business needs.

Back up all your operating environments. Today’s businesses use a variety of operating environments. The key trend is to virtualize critical business operations. In such environments, it is essential that backup programs are powerful, cost-effective, secure and fast. Naturally, such environments have a cost associated with them. Take a close look at the total cost of ownership when conducting your data backup planning.

Consider tape backup. Sophisticated remote and cloud-based data backup services can be costly, whereas tape can be a cost-effective alternative, especially for data that is not needed daily or even hourly for business operations. [This point couldn’t be more off. Yes, tape is cheap but 50% of tape recoveries fail.  Even today after many advances and capacity 50% still fail for ALL sizes of organizations over the last 50 years]

Employ a backup architecture that supports data compression and deduplication to reduce infrastructure needs. With ever-increasing volumes of data to be stored, consider arrangements to conserve storage requirements, such as data compression and deduplication. The cost for such technologies may help defer a major — and costly — investment in backup technology.

Implement fast and secure access to backed-up data. With the investments being made in backup infrastructures, a key component is to have technology that speeds up the ability to find and access data that has been backed up.

Test backup plans regularly. No matter how robust your backup strategy is or how much diversity is in place for storing data, it’s still essential to test your backup plan, especially if a disaster has occurred. Just as a technology disaster recovery (DR) plan should be tested at least annually, so should your data backup plan. Ideally, the data backup planning element should be part of a DR test.

Overall a good article. Unfortunately, almost all organizations that I encounter before I get involved don’t follow all the most important pieces, follow-up, test and check to make sure it will work when you need it.

Mirrored Storage | Secure CLOUD Solutions for Business | mirroredstorage.com
Mirrored Storage provides cloud backup, cloud storage and a full range of Information Technology services to businesses in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding area.
By John Neibel | mirroredstorage.com

Cyber Security Breaches at SMB’s in 2017

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I read a very interesting article about 2017 predictions for SMB’s closing due to Cyber Attacks.  Businesses surveyed concerns have risen concerning their technology, email and even documents which can be in Word format or PDF which you can format with an sodapdf software .

It’s not just big firms like Target or Home Depot that need to worry about cyber security. Forty-three percent (43%) of all cyberattacks target SMBs.(1) Not surprisingly, our data shows they are increasingly concerned about the safety of their company’s technology and files. Most SMBs don’t have in-house experts to deal with breach issues, and the average recovery cost is $36,000. Sadly, 60% end up having to close their doors within six months of the breach (2). In 2017, this could add up to 550,000 business failures.

Sources: (1) Symantec Internet Security Threat Report 2016; (2) National Cyber Security Alliance 2016; Bank of America SBO Report 2015; The Business Journals SMB Insights; E = predicted estimate/preliminary data from SMB Insights 2017

The ONLY TRUE WAY to protect your business is with services like Data Protection solutions like we provide to our clients.  We can also help with protecting your network and many other aspects with our Proven Technology Services specifically out Network Services.

Mirrored Storage | Secure CLOUD Solutions for Business | mirroredstorage.com
Mirrored Storage provides cloud backup, cloud storage and a full range of Information Technology services to businesses in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding area.
By John Neibel | mirroredstorage.com

Disaster Recovery on a Budget (Part 5)

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Disaster recovery (DR) doesn’t always get the attention it deserves at midmarket companies — it can be expensive, time-consuming and resource-intensive. But studies say that between 80% and 93% of smaller businesses won’t survive beyond the first two years after a catastrophic data loss, proving the necessity of a well-laid disaster recovery plan.

Don’t get caught off guard. New technologies and managed services options have helped make DR affordable on any budget. Learn how to stay protected without spending a fortune in this roundup of disaster recovery strategies and best practices.

Table of contents

   How can you get funding for IT BC?

Securing funds to establish and maintain a business continuity plan is a top challenge for midmarket IT managers. To get around this financial hurdle, one strategy is to use the savings from your organization’s DR preparations to help BC pay for itself.

For example, consolidating servers into a fault-tolerant configuration can reduce your overall risk and operational overhead. And performing a technical refresh can usually eliminate maintenance costs for up to three years.

For more tips on saving money and making room for business continuity in your existing budget, read “How disaster recovery savings can pay for business continuity planning.”

Source: SearchCIO-Midmarket.com Staff

Mirrored Storage | Secure CLOUD Solutions for Business | mirroredstorage.com
Mirrored Storage provides cloud backup, cloud storage and a full range of Information Technology services to businesses in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding area.
By John Neibel | mirroredstorage.com

Disaster Recovery on a Budget (Part 4)

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Disaster recovery (DR) doesn’t always get the attention it deserves at midmarket companies — it can be expensive, time-consuming and resource-intensive. But studies say that between 80% and 93% of smaller businesses won’t survive beyond the first two years after a catastrophic data loss, proving the necessity of a well-laid disaster recovery plan.

Don’t get caught off guard. New technologies and managed services options have helped make DR affordable on any budget. Learn how to stay protected without spending a fortune in this roundup of disaster recovery strategies and best practices.

Table of contents

  What are options for businesses on a budget?

What kinds of affordable disaster recovery services are available for smaller midsized organizations? From options starting at $100 a month to those in the low $1,000’s, there are plans to fit any midmarket budget.

SunGard Availability Services LP’s managed disaster services start at $100 a month for basic recovery services. Customers back up their data however they like and then restore the data themselves on SunGard’s hardware in the event of a system failure. Restoration takes 48 hours or longer.

For $500 a month, SunGard offers infrastructure management (out-tasking production functions to SunGard rather than keeping them internal) which includes space, power and no minimum rack commitments.

For more information on the various pricing tiers and providers, read “Disaster recovery services options for smaller businesses on a budget.”

Source: SearchCIO-Midmarket.com Staff

Mirrored Storage | Secure CLOUD Solutions for Business | mirroredstorage.com
Mirrored Storage provides cloud backup, cloud storage and a full range of Information Technology services to businesses in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding area.
By John Neibel | mirroredstorage.com