Disaster Recovery Journal

OTTAWA, Ontario — OfficeBook Inc., the software development firm behind OfficeBooks business management software (http://officebooks.com/), has consistently sought to meet or exceed customer expectations. Now, the team is putting even more power in the hands of its clients with the rollout of new customization options.

Previously, cloud based custom enterprise resource planning (ERP) software came with a significant price tag, not to mention the necessity of dealing with the industry's biggest, but not always most client-focused, players. Lengthy development projects often test the patience of businesses, and the deliverables are not always as promised. OfficeBooks therefore looks to be quite the game changer, bringing high-quality customization to more businesses than ever before.

"With customization, small business owners can adapt OfficeBooks to their specific needs, whether that's new input fields, numbering schemes, design schemes or user authorization protocols," explained OfficeBook President and Founder John Hunter. "The options are almost limitless. Our development team is eager to work collaboratively with clients to ensure the finished software product is exactly what they had in mind."

Hunter continued: "Until now, customized cloud based ERP software suites were cost-prohibitive for all but the largest manufacturing operations. Dynamics, Epicor, Netsuite and other expensive packages have monopolized the market for too long. The OfficeBooks team has worked tirelessly to change the dynamics by making customization on the small and medium scale an affordable option for the first time."

One of the most compelling potential customizations is the ability for clients to add additional data fields to the input screen. Users frustrated by a one-size-fits-all approach to business data will enjoy this truly custom feature, which also affects the types of reports users can generate. Custom data fields mean greater options in the information that goes into the system and also the extent to which reports are customizable.

Custom OfficeBooks deployments naturally provide all the features and benefits of the baseline version of the software suite. Users have access to straightforward accounting tools, contact management solutions, work orders, sales and purchase orders, and up-to-the-minute inventory and resource control. More importantly, OfficeBooks resides in the cloud, meaning on-site servers, storage space and IT staff are rendered obsolete.

Because customization is somewhat more intensive in terms of development, additional time is needed between the initial order and the deployment of the finished software suite. Similarly, custom deployments incur a development fee along with a slightly higher subscription cost. Still, the advantages of tailored ERP software for small and medium businesses make the investment more than worthwhile.

The standard (non-customized) OfficeBook suite is still available for free at the introductory, single-user level. To access more features and allow for an unlimited number of users, clients pay a modest monthly subscription fee.

About OfficeBook Inc.

OfficeBook Inc. began as part of LightMachinery Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-power laser systems and precision optics. In 2008, the company became a standalone entity dedicated to business management software and systems. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, OfficeBook Inc. is led by a core team of manufacturing veterans. The company's flagship product, OfficeBooks, is the first cloud-based, comprehensive business management solution created for manufacturing businesses. Learn more at http://www.officebooks.com.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce the selection of 30 recipients to receive funding under the FEMA 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge program.  The program focuses on building local community resilience to man-made and natural disasters, with an emphasis on innovation, collaboration with community stakeholders, sustainability, repeatability and measurable benefits to the community.

FEMA knows that preparedness is a process that requires continued focus year-round. This year’s award recipients are recognized for programs designed to continue to move community preparedness forward, and assist local areas in building and revitalizing community-based partnerships to advance the nation’s resilience to disasters.

“The best resiliency ideas originate from our states and tribal nations,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The goal of this effort is to further empower communities to collaborate and develop innovative approaches to effectively respond to disasters.”

The program is being funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and administered by the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation who acted as a third-party intermediary to encourage local communities to engage in creative activities that enhance disaster resilience. Funding levels ranged to a maximum award level of $35,000, and applications were open to most local, state, and tribal agencies and governments; business entities; associations; organizations and groups.

“We live in a time of unpredictable shocks and chronic stresses, from climate change to natural or manmade disasters, and helping local communities become more resilient to these disruptions is more important than ever. Yet we’ve also seen that potential solutions to meet the needs of a community are often best surfaced by those who live with the stresses, and perhaps see them from a different perspective,” said Dr. Judith Rodin, president of The Rockefeller Foundation. “The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to helping people prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from disruptions, and is proud to support this program and the innovative efforts of local residents to build resilience in communities across the United States.”

Over 1,900 applications were received across the country. FEMA is grateful to all applicants for their dedication and commitment to building community resilience. FEMA recognizes that a government-centric approach to disaster management is insufficient to meet the challenges posed by a catastrophic incident. To meet our nation’s preparedness goals, the whole community must be actively involved in all phases of the preparedness, response, and recovery cycle. These awards are designed to invest in and enhance the whole community effort.

As we applaud the award winners, we also encourage all applicants to remain vigilant in their commitment to their programs and supporting community resilience.

The following is a list of the FEMA 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge award recipients: 

FEMA Region 1

Collaborating for Cape Cods Coastal Resiliency
Waquoit Bay Reserve Foundation – Waquoit, MA

Regional Flooding Risk Assessment and Community Rating System Feasibility Study
Greater Bridgeport Regional Council – Bridgeport, CT

FEMA Region 2

Call 2 Action Campaign
Rockaway Waterfront Alliance – Far Rockaway, NY

Comprehensive Community Needs Follow Up and Outreach
Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc. – Schoharie, NY

Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County – Canandaigua, NY

Lake George Water Quality Awareness Committees for Community Resilience
The Fund for Lake George – Lake George, NY

FEMA Region 3

Community Resilience Following a Nuclear Detonation in Washington DC
Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) – Laurel, MD

Community Resilience through Maximizing Local Supply Chain Capacity
Arlington Office of Emergency Management – Arlington, VA

Dynamic Decision Support for Managing Regional Resources
Center for Disaster Management, University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, PA

FEMA Region 4

Purchase of Garden Area and Cannery
Harvest of the Heart Garden, Inc. – Madison, GA

A Network of Emergency Power in Seymour
Volunteer Fire Department of Seymour – Seymour, TN

FEMA Region 5

Countywide Faith Based Community Response
Williamson County Emergency Management Agency – Marion, IL

Trenton Kids to the Rescue
Trenton Police/Emergency Management Service – Trenton, IN

Comprehensive Community Emergency Notification Plan
Indiana Emergency Notification Committee – City of Monticello, IN

Disaster Preparedness:  Surviving Disasters Despite Communication Barriers and Breakdowns Wisconsin Association of the Deaf – Delavan, WI

FEMA Region 6

Safe Harbor Master Plan for Vermillion Bay, Louisiana
Twin Parish Port District -Louisiana Sea Grant – Baton Rouge, LA

Greater New Orleans Resiliency Resource Guide
Greater New Orleans Development Foundation – New Orleans, LA

FEMA Region 7

Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
The Salvation Army – Kansas City, MO

Risk Watch Program
Tama County Emergency Management Agency – Toledo, IA

Services Expansion
Delaware County Disaster Recovery Committee – Manchester, IA

Faith Based Planning and Preparedness Initiative
St. Charles County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SCCCOAD) for Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service – St. Charles, MO

FEMA Region 8

Lightning Location and Analysis System
Crystal Park Homeowners Association – Manitou Springs, CO

Situation Awareness Environment and Knowledge Exchange Portal
Western Cyber Exchange, Rocky Mountain (WCX) – Colorado Springs, CO

Teton County Emergency Response Support Team
Teton County – Choteau, MT

FEMA Region 9

Special Needs Population and Home Bound Patients Registry
American Samoa Department of Health – Pago Pago, American Samoa

Roadmap to Preparedness
United Policyholders – San Francisco, CA

Tribal Emergency Response Crossing Boarders Coordination Project
Smith River Rancheria – Smith River, CA

Hawaii Emergency Preparedness System of Support (HiPSS)
University of Hawaii, Office of Research Services – Honolulu, HI

FEMA Region 10

Radio in a Box
KRBD Community Radio - Rainbird Community Broadcast – Ketchikan, AK

Emergency Hubs at P-Patch Community Gardens
Seattle Office of Emergency Management – Seattle, WA

Additional information on the Challenge program and a detailed summary of each recipient’s project can be found at www.fema.gov and www.ResilienceChallenge.org.  

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.  The social media links provided are for reference only. 

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. 

About FEMA:

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

About The Rockefeller Foundation:

The Rockefeller Foundation aims to achieve equitable growth by expanding opportunity for more people in more places worldwide, and to build resilience by helping them prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stresses. Throughout its 100 year history, The Rockefeller Foundation has enhanced the impact of innovative thinkers and actors working to change the world by providing the resources, networks, convening power, and technologies to move them from idea to impact. In today’s dynamic and interconnected world, The Rockefeller Foundation has a unique ability to address the emerging challenges facing humankind through innovation, intervention and influence in order to shape agendas and inform decision-making. Please visit www.rockefellerfoundation.org for more information.

About LAEPF:

The Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation (LAEPF) is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization focused on community stakeholder collaboration and emergency preparedness.  LAEPF works to create partnerships, identify resources and implement programs addressing the challenges of man-made and natural disasters. LAEPF supports the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Division on a variety of programs including the coordination of activities in the Business Operations Center (BOC) with participation from business, government, academic, faith based, and non-profit sectors. 

LAEPF is committed to building community resilience and very pleased to be supporting the application, selection, and implementation process for the FEMA 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Program. LAEPF congratulates the program winners and all applicants on their dedication to community resilience throughout the United States.        

The lack of comprehensive control over cloud-based environments, coupled with the uncertainty about how to manage insider threats, mobile access and compliance issues, poses daunting challenges for senior IT managers. Data is suddenly everywhere, and so are the number of people, access points and administrators who can control – or worse, copy – the data. This is a key issue for businesses as they are losing control of their data in the cloud.

This creates real uncertainty about how to manage IT security in the cloud. Recent independent research revealed that 89% of the global information security workforce lacks clarity as to how security applies to the cloud, and 78% of information security professionals lack understanding of cloud security guidelines and reference architectures.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/media-network/media-network-blog/2013/may/07/cloud-security-businesses-data

Building a disaster recovery plan (DRP) can be simple, yet many businesses are still without one, which leaves them vulnerable to data loss. Your role as a managed services provider (MSP) is to protect your customers from catastrophic losses by assisting them with a customized plan that fits their backup and disaster recovery (BDR) needs. Disaster recovery (DR) and intelligent business continuity (IBC) solutions vendor Datto offered MSPs some insight regarding this topic on the company's blog. We'll reveal the key points of an effective DRP that ensures business continuity (BC).

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http://mspmentor.net/infocenter-bdr/disaster-recovery-planning-101-msps

Identity management problems arose nearly a decade ago when organizations began to increase the number of business processes automated through web applications and integrate more systems into daily operations. This situation provoked a new challenge: How should you keep access control lists up-to-date when users are given multiple usernames and passwords? Even worse, if an employee leaves the company, how do you coordinate with HR departments to have IT teams disable access to their applications?

Today, with the evolution of technologies and the increased use of cloud-based applications, organizations face the same challenges in finding an effective way to perform user identity management. Though the environment has evolved, the nature of the problem persists: Identity management is time-consuming, expensive and difficult.

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http://www.itbusinessedge.com/guest-opinions/lost-in-the-cloud-a-useful-checklist-for-identity-management-and-idaas-integration.html

MARION — As the four-year anniversary of the May 8, 2009, derecho approaches, Ameren Illinois officials remind the public to be prepared for and cautious during storms and inclement weather.

Ameren invited members of the media to visit its Southern Illinois emergency operations center and explore of one of the utility company’s five disaster recovery trailers.

“Our job is to keep the lights on and the gas flowing,” George Justice, Ameren’s Southern Illinois division director, said. “Our message has been put into practice many times in the past few years.”

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http://thesouthern.com/news/local/always-ready-ameren-stresses-preparedness/article_8d5d95ba-b6cf-11e2-be9e-0019bb2963f4.html

Computerworld — HIPAA and outdated communications devices can make it harder to deliver effective patient care, according to a survey of physicians, hospital administrators and IT pros, has found that.

The survey by the Ponemon Institute is based on responses from 577 healthcare and IT professionals in organizations that ranged from fewer than 100 beds to more than 500.

Fifty-one percent of respondents say HIPAA compliance requirements can be a barrier to providing effective patient care. Specifically, HIPAA reduces time available for patient care (according to 85% of respondents), makes access to electronic patient information difficult (79%) and restricts the use of electronic communications (56%).

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http://www.cio.com/article/732919/HIPAA_Rules_Outdated_Tech_Cost_U.S._Hospitals_8.3B_a_Year

Working with a backup and disaster recovery (BDR) vendor may be a new experience for some managed services providers (MSPs), but that doesn't mean the relationship has to be treated differently than any other business partnership -- or does it? We reached out to disaster recovery (DR) and intelligent business continuity (IBC) solutions vendor Datto to learn more about the relationship (partnership) between MSPs and BDR vendors in the channel. How can MSPs work more productively with BDR vendors? We'll reveal the answers in this MSPmentor exclusive.

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http://mspmentor.net/infocenter-bdr/3-ways-msps-can-work-productively-bdr-vendor

Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. emergency preparedness director Warren Villagomez assures that the CNMI still has zero suspected cases of a bird flu strain originating from China.

As of May 3, the World Health Organization website has recorded 126 cases and 24 deaths caused by the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

According to Villagomez, the corporation remains vigilant against this bird flu outbreak and continuously monitors all activities from different sources such as daily updates from WHO and from the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control, among other sources.

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http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=127202&cat=1

Threats to water, a requirement for life, make for compelling story lines. The movie Batman Begins includes a poisoned water supply as a plot point, for example. But threats to the water supply aren’t just the stuff of modern fiction.

“The idea of poisoning drinking water goes back a long way,” said James Salzman, a professor of law and environmental policy at Duke University and author of Drinking Water: A History. The Roman emperor Nero is said to have poisoned his enemies’ wells in the first century. J. Edgar Hoover obsessed over threats to the water supply during World War II.

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http://www.emergencymgmt.com/safety/Protecting-the-Water-Supply.html