Answers Systems Inc. Shares Disaster Recovery Information.

After seeing the devastating effects of Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances, Answers Systems Inc. went to work on compiling a general overview of emergency management plan elements to share with other businesses.

Oldsmar (PRWEB) September 22, 2004 -- After seeing the devastating effects of Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances, Answers Systems Inc. went to work on compiling a general overview of emergency management plan elements to share with other businesses. As a provider of various database management/marketing and online services to the foodservice industry, Answers Systems understands that the foundation of this industry is the independent restaurateur. Many entrepreneurs have difficulty recovering from catastrophic events when they do not adequately plan for crises. Answers Systems hopes to arm smaller businesses, as well as their major clients, with an introduction to the subject of disaster preparedness and a list of expert resources to get them thinking about emergency management planning.

Emergency preparedness is everyones responsibility," said Sam Jackson, Senior Vice President of Client Services. We want to act as responsible corporate citizens by contributing to the preservation of our clients and their customers, which include the independent business owner. We pulled together some general guidelines from our own plans and from federal and nonprofit expert sources to serve merely as brainstorming points - a way to encourage companies to put together a plan that fits their unique business needs."

Answers Systems includes in the overview the following suggestions for responsible data guardianship:

*Establish a mutual aid agreement with a vendor or partner business that is at least 50 miles outside your community. They can help you regain some operating capabilities in the days immediately following a traumatic event.

*Make daily data back ups and store one copy onsite and another in a secure, offsite location.

*When possible, use application service providers (ASPs) that will allow employees, customers, vendors, etc., in unaffected areas to continue working/accessing key information. This will also allow some personnel to work from home until facilities are cleared for safe operation.

*If flooding is a possibility, move all computer and electronic equipments from low-lying areas. Place them on secured file cabinets, in higher storage areas, on tables, etc.

*Have a generator available to keep systems running during power outages.

*Protect all computers and phone equipment with surge protectors, and invest in protectors with battery back ups to keep your system running during blackouts.

*Understand the laws and regulations surrounding the availability of data and records. Certain legislation has record keeping provisions that require all publicly-held companies to keep and be able to provide records that clearly indicate how assets are used. Answers Systems has procedures in place that protect the electronic forms of these records for our publicly-held clients. If your facilities were damaged and your records destroyed, do you have your data backed up in another, secure location?

People interested in accessing the entire document may download it at the Answers Systems Inc. homepage (www.answerssystems.com) at no cost and with no obligation.

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