Ever hear the phrase ‘the true ones are the best?’ well we tend to agree. Probably the best way to emphasise a point is through real life experiences, so today we’re sharing the real life experiences of a business continuity client that we recently visited and their efforts to embrace business continuity and the advances in technology.
The client is busy consultancy practise with around 40 consultants across 2 main sites. Their working environment is extremely fast paced and of course their clients expect quick responses and they need to be available 24/7.
Not really a unique story so far. However here’s the kicker, they have NO IT SYSTEMS on their premises.
I know what you’re thinking. ‘But how? I mean it’s 2016!’ And that’s were your exactly right!
Email, Collaboration & Office Systems – Microsoft 365 (Cloud)
Accounts & Billing System – Xero (Cloud)
Telephony System – VoIP (Cloud)
Project Management – Teamwork (Cloud)
About a year ago, we met with them to help with their Business Continuity planning, one of the sessions was focused on “RISK” along the lines of the following extract from a recent blog…
Identifying RISK
Identifying, Evaluating, Recording and Responding to Your Risks
Five Strategic Responses
- Prevention – Change what you’re doing and remove the risk.
- Reduction – Take action to reduce likelihood.
- Transference – pass the risk on to a third party
- Acceptance – Tolerate due to low risk and low cost.
- Contingency – Planned action.
A key point that came up during the session was “Internet Access”. This was Identified and evaluated as a RISK, the risk status came back as (HIGH impact, Medium Likelihood). This was then recorded, evaluated and the appropriate response types identified as Prevention & Contingency.
Here’s our summary of their business continuity plan:
Business Continuity Plan to be implemented in the event of a prolonged or expected prolonged period without internet access.
- Wireless Access: – All computers that are key to operations MUST have wireless access capabilities to allow continued functionality (Note: This task was completed – 23/5/2016)
- Team: – Nominated Response Team Lead to instruct ALL staff using company phones, to adopt the BCP plan for enabling internet access to the office computers via “mobile phones tethering and mobile hotspot”
- Phone System: – Configure the VoIP Telephone System to automatically redirect incoming calls to nominated mobiles in the event of an issue with Internet access. (Note: This task was completed -02/03/2016)
Quite rightly the client and their management team were proud of themselves for creating a virtually seamless adoption of their Business Continuity Plan, with virtually ZERO impact on operations and no client inconvenience.
This is a great example of focusing on the key risks to the business and approaching them in an innovative, simple and cost effective way.
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