January 2007
In this issue...

> Managed Services
> Reduce Vulnerabilities
> Remote Service
> Office Tips
 

Dataguard Managed Services

The DataGuard Portfolio of Managed Services programs provides your company with the security of knowing that your network is being proactively monitored and maintained. Choose the service that best fits your needs and will give the best security, safety and backup for your business. Our proactive approach to working with clients helps organizations focus less on technology and more on running their business.

Why be Proactive?
Whether or not they have ever calculated the cost associated with downtime, most organizations are aware of the pain caused when company applications or resources are unavailable. Downtime can affect a single individual, department, or entire organization depending on the scope of the failure. Studies show that the business suffer on average 2 hours of downtime per week - That's 104 hours per year!

So how does down time cost? Many factors go into calculating the burden of downtime on an organization including employee productivity, lost transactions, and customer satisfaction. A quick reality check is to look at lost productivity as a result of downtime. According to the US Department of labor the average salary for a user $24/hr taking into account taxes and benefits. In a 25 user company, with a more conservative 75 hours of downtime during the year, they would experience $22,500 in loss in productivity alone – This number assumes the users are still 50% productive. $24/hr X .50 = $12 X 25 = $300 X 75hrs = $22,500

Still don't believe your network is mission critical? Unplug it!

You do the Math:
Number of Users:_____________ Annual Downtime (hrs):_______________

Hourly Burdened Wage:________ % Lost Productivity:___________________

_______ X _______ = _______ X _________ = ________ X _________ =

Wage) (% Loss) (# of Users) (Downtime)

____________________

Lost Productivity)

The investment associated with a proactively maintained network is insignificant compared to the financial benefit of minimal downtime. To learn how to protect your network with DataGuard proactive services, contact Databranch at 716-373-4467 or sales@databranch.com.

Microsoft's newest operating system in more than five years, Windows Vista, became available to businesses with volume license agreements on November 30. The home version will be available on January 30, 2007. If you plan to, or have recently installed a new operating system on your computers, then it's a good time to review some security measures to reduce your vulnerabilities (no matter which operating system you use):

Create a security plan: Though upgrading to a new operating system (OS) appears to be a simple process, it is important to note that you are making a change in your business' IT systems, so it's necessary to protect your current data and other assets in the process. Your systems are particularly vulnerable at a time when you are running a new operating system that may have "bugs" or other issues that are likely to be discovered only after people start using the OS in a variety of settings. At the same time, you shouldn't have to wait to take advantage of the latest improvements and developments in technology. You can make a smoother transition by creating a security plan that includes installing security software, updating patches, and re-educating your employees about pertinent security issues that arise.

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