Planning, creating, and building a data centre can be one of the most expensive tasks an IT director can face. In order to maximize cost effectiveness and achieve optimum performance, reliability is key.

Data centre size can range from one room in an office to an entire building, but there are some basic requirements which must be implemented to ensure system reliability. When designing a data centre, efficient planning is very important. A number of areas must be addressed to ensure a dependable and efficient system which is capable of continued operation.

Understand the potential causes of failure

There are a number of areas cited as the most common causes of data centre failure:

• Environmental problems
• Software failure – for example, memory leaks
• Hardware failure – such as storage or processing problems
• Operator or procedural error
• Poor network reliability
• Security breaches – for example hacker attack

Environmental considerations

When planning a data centre, there are a number of physical and architectural design features which must be implemented to ensure reliability:

• Adequate Air Supply: temperature must be maintained between 20 and 25 ºC and humidity between 40 and 60 %. Too much humidity can cause water to condense on internal components. However if the air is too dry, this can cause static electricity to discharge. Malfunction is likely if the above ranges are not maintained. This is one of the prime causes of data centre malfunction. Implementation of adequate air conditioning and correct architectural design to allow for air circulation between units is vital. Particular care needs to be taken to prevent “hotspots” from occurring.

• Safeguard against power loss: external environmental factors such as hurricane or snowstorm can cause power black outs. It is vital to have a generator to ensure continued function, as well as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for emergency power. These should be of sufficient size to power cooling systems.

• Fire protection systems: the simplest forms of fire protection are smoke detectors, for early detection of a fire. It is also vital to ensure fire containment to prevent the spread of a fire to the entire data centre. For example: Contained sprinkler systems or gaseous fire suppression.

Software, hardware or network failure

Tested and quality assured hardware and software from reputable brands can help increase reliability. Common malfunction in one component, such as an internal fan or storage disc, can quickly lead to failure in another. Ensuring network performance and reliability can also have a huge impact on the performance of the data system.

Operational procedures

It is impossible to completely rule out human error and operational issues. However, devising an operations procedure to not only maximize performance but also track reliability and malfunction is key. Conduct regular back-ups on each production server to ensure quick file repair in the event of damage. Provide adequate operator training to implement protocol and avoid the most basic of errors such as leaving discs in drives, which would prevent an auto-reboot in the event of system failure.

Data security

Particularly important in large data centres with sensitive information, is to ensure adequate physical security. Corporations may consider outsourcing their data centre to an off-site location with 24 hour security guards and video surveillance. System security also requires keeping up-to-date with the latest security and anti-virus software.

Avoid single point of failure

One final key consideration is to avoid having a single point of failure. Test the system before it goes operational and ensure that if one component fails there is sufficient backup to ensure the data centre can still function. Back-up will make sure that your important data is never lost.

Our company is SAS 70 certified… the highest standards for measuring and improving data centre operations and management. Providing clients with solutions for business continuity services, managed hosting, managed security and disaster recovery for organizational security.

Data integration is a technical term used to describe the process
of combining data from various applications for the purpose of
sharing the data between applications and for accomplishing data
analysis tasks that provide solid information which is useful for
the management of a business.

In technology-driven businesses such as internet-based
businesses, data integration is usually very important,
especially if business processes are automated. Data integration
enables a business to use data generated through various sources
and applications and to automate processes which has the
potential of saving the business operator a lot of time and
money.

The ability to integrate data through data integration eliminates
a lot of monotonous, time intensive processes such as data entry,
printing of reports, and manual consolidation and use of data
produced by different software applications or other data
accumulating or producing technologies. For instance, data
integration can be used to take customer contact information from
a customer database that is collected through a sales process to
be used in a marketing program for the purpose of direct
marketing or email marketing.

Without the capability of data integration, this process could
not be automated. Thus, reports would have to be printed from the
sales program and the hard copy data resulting from that process
would have to be manually entered into the marketing program to
accomplish the sharing of the data between the sales database and
the marketing program.

When developing the infrastructure for your internet-based
business, purchasing your hardware and your business software,
and having your website and databases developed data integration
capabilities and the compatibility of the various technologies
and applications you use should be considered.

When you use applications and technology that is compatible in
regard to data integration from the get-go, it will be easier to
automate various processes in your business over the long run in
order to save you time and money.

Advanced planning is crucial to ensure that automation can be
accomplished without unnecessary expenses or reinvestment, or
extensive data integration challenges. Involving a data
integration expert in the process of planning your company’s
infrastructure, designing your data systems and selecting your
hardware and software applications is really a very good idea.
High quality planning with the ultimate goal of complete
automation through effective data integration will stage your
company for growth and expansion.

Initially, when you first start your business, automation may not
seem necessary and the expense of data integration and automation
may be cost prohibitive in the beginning. However, over the long
run, as you build your customer base and experience significant
increases in business activity, you will find that automation is
not a luxury. In fact, automation and data integration will
become a necessity. Without it, your business will become
stagnant and growth will be seriously hindered.

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems are an example of
technology that relies on data integration to provide business
owners with high quality management information and useful
reports. CRM systems, through the use of data integration, enable
information from sales processes, shipping processes, bookkeeping
processes and such to be shared giving customer service
representative instant access to customer information that is
necessary for providing top-notch, efficient customer service.
Information that is consolidated in a CRM system through data
integration can also be used for marketing, budgeting and other
business planning activities.

Point of sale systems, payment processing solutions and
bookkeeping systems can also be interfaced through the use of
data integration techniques to eliminate the need for duplicate
entry saving you loads of time and money. Planning for automation
and data integration will make it easier for you to expand and
grow your business as well.

Copyright Christopher J. Enders. Are you at the end of your rope, fed up and confused by all the scrambled internet marketing advice you’re getting? Whether you are new to internet marketing, or a website owner who wants to make more money from your website, learn the proven strategies that will sky-rocket your internet business at http://BiznessTips.com

Protecting data information is a top priority for all businesses. Having a secure, reliable, and easy to recover “backup data” system allows businesses to always properly function. Aside from onsite backup data system, many businesses now opt to store data information offsite.

There is a risk involved for not having offsite backup data system. Businesses could be hit with catastrophic events that could cause them to lose their data and cripple their work. Even a simple incidence such as a coffee spill on a computer can stop you cold. Think of starting your business day and you are unable to access any information on your computer. It is very important for all businesses to have offsite backup data system.

It is also a good practice to backup information daily onsite: via flash drives, CDs, tapes, and/or external hard drives. This onsite backup data system should be stored in a secure, indestructible, and idealistically fire-proof location. You should always check to make sure that your data are stored properly.

The best and most secure solution is to have a consistent daily backup system that includes offsite storage and archiving. Some offsite recovery service companies offer free in-house servers equipped with “Lo~Jack”. In case of theft, this allows the proper authority to track down the location and subdue the thieves. The greatest benefit of having an offsite backup data system is knowing that your data information is secured, safe and easy to recover when needed.

The protection of data information is very important to all businesses. Business owners should use onsite and offsite backup systems to make sure that their data information is always available. However, having an offsite system provides the safest and brings peace of mind to all business owners.

We’ve been providing Data protection solutions to businesses for 15 years. We have the maturity and experience to recognize the quality and performance you expect in a partner, and to deliver.

Call 201-768-0892
jim@bizinfobackup.com
http://www.bizinfobackup.com

One if the biggest mistakes I see when visiting client companies, is their underestimation of how well their compliance data system can be audited.
It’s understandable.

When you build a transaction system, your goal is to run the business. When you build a data warehouse, your goal is to analyze the business. But when does it become your goal to audit your business practices?

Usually, auditing business practices and data systems become an executive afterthought. It is in response to some regulation like HIPPA, PCI, or Sarbanes-Oxley ( SOX ). Or, it is when you have received notice that a big contract is being audited by an agency like the General Services Administration (GSA).

In all cases, when you are under-prepared for an audit it will cost you time, money and effort. Find out now if your data system proves your innocence and uncover some data audit-proofing tips for total compliance.

Take This Data Auditing Quiz Now to See If Your Compliance Data System Proves Your Innocence:

1. Does Your Data System Defend You from the Auditor’s Point of View?

Some auditors want to see you survive an audit. But let’s face it. Some auditors are out to get you.

Crusaders trying to prove a point at your expense sometimes spawn audits. So auditors are anticipating that there are bad business practices in place. They feel that it’s their job to uncover your bad business practices and expose you. In their eyes you are guilty until proven innocent.

To defend yourself proactively, you have to approach it from the auditor’s point of view. Just doing the right thing is not enough. You have to be able to prove that you’re doing the right thing. Approaching it from the right frame is essential.

2. Is Your Compliance Data System Built with the Goal of Surviving an Audit?

They way most people attempt to leverage their data systems these days is all wrong.

Here’s why…

When data systems were introduced, they were never built to serve the intentions of an auditor.

The key is not to attempt to leverage these systems at all. The key is to build a compliance data system with the goal of surviving an audit. This is taking business intelligence up a level to audit intelligence.

A compliance data system gets it’s requirements from legislation, standards, past audit findings, and yes … auditors. Your goal here is not to twist and turn your existing systems. That would be the equivalent of trying to do your strategic reporting out of your transactional system.

3. Do You Use An Ordinary, Normal Data Warehouse for Compliance?

Compliance data systems are much more robust than normal data warehouses. Like data warehouses, they will organize data from disparate systems into one central location. And, they will apply transformations as necessary.

However, metadata is taken very seriously. There is a clear explanation for everything that’s in the data system. Audit trails are important from the original requirement to each data point. Response times are usually optimized for ad-hoc querying, so that auditors don’t waste time waiting for the database.

4. Is Your Data System in Real Time?

Real time systems can take you up another level to prove your innocence. The business intelligence buzzword around this technology today is Operational Business Intelligence. These can be great for early warning systems.

As with all new technology though, be careful of the hype. As a result of this new buzz, vendors are preaching the Holy Grail again. The time tested best approach for your data system efforts is to form a good team of professionals, and build it in house.

5. Is Your Data System Cross Functional?

Audit proofing is not a Finance function, or an IT function. It is a cross-functional activity. To get the job done, you will need a good team of auditors, process analysts, subject matter experts, techies and a good coach or project manager.

Most compliance efforts are best practices enforced. So, you will find stakeholders in other departments that will benefit from your total compliance efforts. For example, I recently built a GSA compliance data warehouse for a large company that was funded by their sales department. The VP of Sales was very interested in getting clarity on how discounts were being used. This was a great side benefit for the primary requirement of proving that the government was getting the best discounts.

Leveraging your business intelligence infrastructure to build a compliance data system is an intelligent way to audit-proof your company for total compliance. Start today by writing a project charter for your most important compliance exposure. This two to three day effort will end up saving you huge amounts of time and money.

In a recent GSA compliance effort, John Weathington, The Chief Compliance Coach™, architected and directed the construction of a custom Compliance Data System that fortified a $100 Million contract for Sun Microsystems. Now you can get his FREE 58-page how-to guide to starting a compliance data system that will prove your innocence at: excellentmanagementsystems.com/ebooks/racehorse.jsp

Fueling the high growth rate for Retailers, Manufacturers and Distributors is a flurry of mergers and acquisitions. In today’s world of mergers and acquisitions, and heavy usage of the Web, companies are facing a new reality. Software that meets the company’s needs now will not be effective after a new acquisition takes place, or if sales substantially increase as a result of using the Web.

While meeting with a prospective client — a CEO of a large cleaning supply company — about purchasing new software, he told me that he was planning to grow his business by end of the year from 300 million to 500 million dollars by acquiring competitors he was negotiating with. When I asked him how he planned to integrate his company’s software with the new companies he was planning to acquire, his response was: “You hit the nail on its head. The software we are using cannot support our future acquisition plans. We will have to let the companies we plan to acquire keep using their current software until we find software that can meet our new needs. Not having the right software will result in a substantial increase of our operating cost. The unfortunate part is that we did not have the foresight to think ahead of the fact that our current software would not be able to support our acquisition plans. Nobody expected that we would grow at this rate and now we have to pay the price.”

Here are 4 unforeseen business disruptions that are likely to happen when your business environment changes:

1. Quite often companies engaged in e-commerce, experience an unexpectedly high volume of sales’ transactions that the current software cannot handle efficiently, resulting in the need for additional labor and excessive operating costs.

2. Frequently, the current software cannot provide the desired analytical information needed, resulting in the downloading of large amounts of data to spread sheets and more complex data manipulation to get the needed reports.

3. When mergers and acquisitions take place, the number of users along with the transaction volume will substantially increase, resulting in the possibility that the current computer system will not be able to handle this sudden change.

4. The acquired company might not have the same business practices as the company doing the takeover, resulting in the possibility that the current software may not be able to handle the new business demands. This can result in multiple software platforms being used creating higher operating costs and additional complexities in the computer infrastructure.

When planning future expansion, steps should be taken to ensure smooth business growth.

Software effectiveness evaluations should be performed the same way as evaluating old equipment in a factory. When evaluating the current software functions, the focus should not be on how well the software meets the business needs today, but whether it can meet the business growth of tomorrow when the company moves to the “next level.” In today’s business reality, which is changing at lighting speed, lack of planning can be a very costly proposition.

Nobody likes change, but not facing the fact that a company’s current software is outdated can result in substantial business disruptions and expenses down the road. The question that should always be asked is: “if the business reality changes drastically resulting in an unexpectedly large amount of new users or volume of data transactions, could the current software be able handle it?”

Since 1980, Dan Kaplan has worked with corporate executives to improve purchasing, increase warehouse and distribution efficiencies, and implement software solutions that result in substantial savings and productivity improvements. To lower your operating costs, reduce your warehousing and distribution business’s quote generation process from 3 weeks to 3 hours and invoice cycle from months to one day, go to http://www.smcdata.com.