This paper explores the costs and causes of downtime as well as ways to minimize such costs through downtime prevention, early problem detection and effective recovery capabilities.

We are presently in the midst of the greatest threat to business continuity since the ideas of disaster recovery were founded. I am not here to dwell on "the Y2K bug" as the popular media wants to call it, but to note that it is spotlighting the need for continuity planning now and in the future.

The focus of preparation for the arrival of the Millenium Bug has been on technology. It is, after all, a technology problem. As the millenium "hot dates" approach, however, the realization has dawned that technological fixes will not be enough to handle the crisis.

Across the globe people dedicated to preparing for not only a century change but also a new millennium are working diligently to fix all the known glitches. Programmers are attempting to correct all computer code that relies solely on 2-digit dates in order for business process programs to continue to run even as the clock ticks its way into the new year.

All organizations confront a challenge in effectively building and maintaining business continuity programs. However, those organizations creating a corporate-wide business continuity program are faced with a whole new level of complexities.

This article highlights one of the largest conferences for contingency planning professionals.

BCP profession still faces the challenge to take advantage of this current awareness level, leverage the results of Y2K-related business impact analyses and gain enterprise commitment to an on-going business continuity program. The DRJ Conference survey tells a mixed story; a few companies have embraced this leveraging approach which will carry them into the next millennium.

In order to get an accurate picture of where we stand, it is always best to use where we came from as a point of reference. We can look at where we want to be, but hindsight is 20/20 and history is our best teacher.

The landscape surrounding Disaster Recovery is changing rapidly—driven primarily by developments in computing and communications. The lines between these two fields are becoming blurred, with Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Intranet and Internet network applications becoming increasingly visible in small, medium and large company environments worldwide.

Probably the biggest challenge facing those of us trying to develop contingency plans for the Millennium roll-over — and other critical dates — is understanding the nature of what we are facing. Everyone is familiar with the cause, but most of us are desperately trying to predict the effect.

The new millennium’s greatest threat to the enterprise is inadequate preparation based on weak and superficial risk analysis. The resultant efforts at restoring functionality and profitability will likely be ineffective.

What is a client/server environment, also referred to as client/server architecture? Surely this approach to the application of computers and communications technologies has been gaining significant attention in the recent years. No organization of any size appears to be immune to this revolutionary approach to the development of information systems. So, what is it?

Disaster recovery managers must take a lead role in safeguarding against Y2K professionals who are tempted to be, shall we say, less than candid about Y2K code conversion work that’s been done.

This comprehensive survey focuses on companies who provide services other than alternative sites, software, or consulting.

Disaster Recovery and Disaster Tolerance are a necessity, rather than an option, for an increasing number of businesses. The globalization of business is driving the requirement for increased levels of availability of IT resources. We have witnessed a dramatic increase in business awareness of the importance of avoiding information system failures.

by: Robert M. Glorioso & Robert S. Desautels

Fall World, Orlando 1999

September brings another conference to southern Florida: DRJ’s 11th International Disaster Recovery Symposium and Exhibition, an opportunity not to miss out on!

This game of hit and miss took place in Columbia, Missouri around 2:15 a.m. on November 10, 1998. As I lay sleeping, I was awakened by the weather alarms nearby.

EMPREP’99, the third U.S. Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Exhibition and Seminar, will be held on June 17-18, 1999, at the MIPRO Exhibition Hall in Tokyo, Japan. This popular event will feature promotional themes and seminars related to the planning, preparations, survival and restoration of services after natural disasters such as fire, earthquake, or floods.