Our Blog

PR (Problem Recovery), not DR (Disaster Recovery) - Virtualization & Replication

Two big buzz words I often get asked about are DR, or Disaster Recovery, and Virtualization.  It seems you can't read a technical magazine, website, or tech email these days without seeing one of these two buzz words.  What isn't often mentioned is that the two really go hand in hand but, the solutions behind them are controlled and handled by different types of tech companies.  The reality is when there is a "Problem" - my acronym: JFI (just fix it) is what is important.  Businesses need to recover from "computer problems" quickly and efficiently.  To achieve this, the business needs to virtualize and replicate.  

To virtualize is to maximize hardware usage and makes the application(s), or computerized business process, non-dependant on hardware.  These applications could be Email (Exchange), a Database (SQL), or even Blackberry services (BES). 

When you virtualize an organization, it achieves some "DR" functions by addressing the need of specific hardware to run a specific business process.  This new virtual environment really needs to be replicated to truly achieve a true and complete recovery from a given problem. 

Let's face it; problems are not simply hardware related these days.  "Computer Problems" are also environmental in nature.  IE - overheating of systems, local networking problems, local internet issues, power, etc. 

This is where replication and "DR" solutions enter the picture.  They achieve fail-over and continuity.  The footprint of your systems (Business) needs to be spread and replicated.  

SNS can help design a business that will JFI all by itself. 

Are your tapes Safe?

Daily backups are a crucial function of IT.  Managing daily backups is a task that SNS handles for our clients, provding them the piece of mind that backups are being managed on a daily basis, not weekely or bi-weekly. 

Just as important as the sucessful backups is the storage of the tape after the backup occurs.  SNS works with a local company that provides an affordable tape pickup service.  We encourage all of our managed clients to engage in this service. Weekly pick-ups are scheduled and your tapes are stored in a climate controlled vault.  No longer does your company need to take chances and possibly violate compliance regulations by having tapes stored in a co-worker's house, car, or desk.  

IT Support - Don't be dissatisfied

Often on initial meetings with prospective clients we learn that so many of them are dissatisfied with their existing IT provider because they do not feel they are getting options.  Like anything in this world, there are many ways to accomplish a goal.  Working with SNS we can articulate your many options and outline the different paths your business can take to help you meet your business objectives.  SNS is here to make sure IT is an efficient department that provides the necessary functions for your business.

Firewall Security - Does it really matter?

All too often our network audits uncover a lack of security on a network. Not only does a Firewall matter, proper configuration, monitoring, and logging is truely necessary in this day in age.

In the event of a security matter, management needs the data necessary to anwser the questions of Who? How? What? When? and how often? logging and certified equipment is needed to provide these anwsers.