Traditional disaster recovery methods are inadequate warns Basex

Basex, a US research and consulting firm that pioneered collaborative business knowledge (CBK) research, has released a white paper that advises organisations to better prepare for unusual work environments, learning from the lessons learned in the wake of emergencies such as the recent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak and 9/11 attacks.

The paper ‘Implementing collaborative business knowledge tools as a response to crisis’ details the necessity for companies of all shapes and sizes to prepare for non-traditional emergencies and outlines specific CBK emergency response best practices to counter new and unforeseen types of disasters. The white paper is available at no charge by visiting www.basex.com/cbker (registration is necessary prior to download).

"World events may conspire to keep workers away from the office," said Jonathan Spira, chief analyst at Basex and author of the white paper. "Traditional disaster recovery planning usually centred on one single site. It never anticipated scenarios such as 9/11 or SARS. Companies must prepare now for such contingencies. Having collaborative tools is the first step, but planning a CBK emergency response may mean the difference between continuing operations and closing a company's doors."

In the white paper, Basex advises companies to institute a six-part plan in order to maintain business continuity in case of an unforeseen crisis.

Recommendations include:

* Perform up-to-date back-ups and have redundant access both on-and off-site.

* Understand which tasks are part of every employee's daily work life.

* Evaluate what work by which employees are mission critical.

* Determine which critical tasks and employees could operate remotely.

* Set up a process through which a CBK emergency is declared.

* Determine what work needs to be done and what tools are needed.

•Date: 12th August 2003 • Region: N.America/W.wide •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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