OSI Technologies Releases Technology Preparedness Tips for Small Businesses

(NEW York) - Although business cannot predict how the services they depend on will be affected in the event of a disaster, they can plan for likely scenarios. Disaster recovery from an IT perspective involves planning regular back up files, creating, maintaining and practicing procedures, educating staff, selecting support sites, and service providers.

OSI Technologies Inc. (OSI), an information technology (IT) consulting and solutions firm headquartered in New York, has been providing technology-centered strategic and disaster planning to small- and mid-sized business in the NY tri-state area since 1997. From hurricanes to whole-city black outs, technology preparedness can make the difference between a quick recovery and a complete business disaster.

OSI announces the release of a check list of IT disaster recovery tips for small business owners:

1. Data back up - use hosted parallel systems. Consider this: In the event of a local storm or catastrophic event the local or federal government can declare the surrounding area a “disaster area” for several days or weeks. All systems are there and backup tapes are neatly tucked away in a fireproof safe – all on site. Therefore, work with an IT solutions firm who will host parallel systems for critical data on their servers. This will provide continually updated, dedicated servers that can be accessed from or delivered to your site.

2. Define recovery planning metrics. The most critical planning metrics are: 1.) what is the worst disaster that you want to plan for? 2.) How long can your system be down? The typical answers are: 1.) a complete failure of the server and 2.) not more than nine business hours. If your requirements are more stringent, be prepared to purchase a standby server. The most important part of the disaster recovery plan is defining your limits and having an adequate plan in place should you need it.

3. Create, maintain, and practice disaster procedures. For example, put a procedure in place that states in the event of a disaster, IT staff will commute to a different location from your business, where they will have the appropriate back up, hardware, software, and license keys on hand to rebuild a server and an adequate number of workstations, in order to provide connectivity and LAN services (printing, Internet, e-Mail) to all employees. This will help restart day-to-day business services in a timely fashion.

4. Beyond IT. Disaster recovery plans must also include adequate insurance coverage, documented and tested employee procedures, a communications plan that includes the press, customers and all interested parties as well as post-disaster business resumption planning.

Chaz Popovich, OSI Vice President, adds, “The truth is that disasters happen. No one likes to think about chaos and calamity but the fact remains that unforeseen, unthinkable things happen. The best antidote for any disaster is preparedness. OSI Technologies can help businesses define the right disaster recovery plan. We have the knowledge and the capability to create a strategic plan to protect your business at a cost appropriate for your business and your needs.”

About OSI Technologies, Inc.
OSI Technologies Inc. (OSI) is a leading IT consulting firm headquartered in Hauppauge NY. OSI provides technology centered strategic planning, implementation and support to small- and mid-sized business in the NY Metropolitan area. Areas of expertise include technology planning and implementation, networking, data and server security, and improving business efficiency and profitability through technology. Visit http://www.ositechnologies.com for more information.

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