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SMEs Unprotected from risk of disasters
04/09/06
COMTACT, a provider of hosted IT and Telecoms solutions, has
announced details of research that reveals the current operational
state of SMEs and their provision for business continuity.
The research finds that most SMEs are not built on a foundation of
business continuity. On the contrary most SMEs bolt on a rudimentary
recovery plan in case disaster strikes. These findings further inspire
Comtact to raise awareness of the major benefits of new hosted IT and
communications technologies. “I am surprised to see just how many SMEs
still only use on-site back-up for their data. This is true for a
massive 68% of respondents,” says MD, Dominic List.
Simon Knockton, researcher says, “One respondent told me how they had
suffered major downtime caused by an electrical supply being cut when
workmen drill a hole in the wrong place closer their premises. This
really brought home the fact that a ‘disaster’ could really range from
a terrorist attack to an unexplained power cut. Whatever the cause it
affected business operations drastically.”
87% of SMEs report they have remote IT access, with the majority
operating a Virtual Private Network (VPN). SMEs recognise the benefit
of being able to access their computer systems when they are out of
the office. But as List comments, “28% of respondents say that their
IT and telecoms provision is not as effective when working out of the
office. Hosted technology (including using high quality VoIP services)
allows 100% access to company IT and telecoms wherever there’s an
Internet connection, at a flexible cost that SMEs can easily afford.”
Tom Nokes, Head of Marketing says, “Not only does it [Hosted IT and
telecoms] make business continuity a reality but it also makes
financial planning more predictable and flexible. Priced on a per
month per user basis your IT telecoms cost becomes a operational
expenditure not a capital expenditure.”
At the moment SME employees have limited or no access to the company
phone system when they are out of the office.
The research finds that there is limited awareness of business VoIP
products with only 15% currently using VoIP technology in their
office. The majority of these SMEs use consumer products such as Skype.
List says “VoIP is a fantastic technology for SMEs. Skype is generally
considered a consumer product, great for saving money but not great on
quality or business functionality.”
Although only 15% of SMEs have already implemented VoIP and over 50%
of these companies use consumer products such as Skype, there is still
some encouragement for List. “The research showed 52% of SMEs will
consider VoIP in the next 6 months. Making SMEs aware of the
possibilities available to them is very important.”
By migrating both IT and telecoms onto a hosted platform SMEs can
prepare themselves for any eventuality. If there is a fire in the
building, a flood or a power outage, their business is built on a
foundation of business continuity. Both IT and telecoms are priced on
per user per month basis, call costs are kept low and there is no need
for ongoing capital expenditure on systems.
Nick Gibson, editor
© Copyright Screen-Studio.com
2006
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