The vendor guarantees the location to be available in the case of the company during a disaster, and -- most ideal for the Client -- is that vendor provides a trailer at this alternative sire where the required laser printers, PCS and phones, fax machined, access to conference rooms (which Client needs for its training that it provides), copiers, switchboards, and LAN servers are available. Questionnaire # 6 shows that Client needs 35 telephones, 30-35 printers (depending on when client moves), 35 fax machines, and 35 copiers. Vendor would supply all of these.
Business recovery option # 2 (relocating to an internal alternate facility at company) does seem a more attractive alternative, if Client's alternative facility would have been not more than 35 miles distant from primary site. Here, Client would not have had to pay monthly payment; space would have been available; and alternate facility would have been fashioned prior to disaster so that all equipment would be ready for company to use in case of disaster. Unfortunately, each of the Client's offices is located further than the 35-mile limit, which renders this solution non-applicable.
Option # 3 (finding external alternate site at time of disaster) is similarly non-applicable and would, in fact, be ruinous to Client since precious time would have to be taken up in locating vacant facility and purchasing and setting...
Long lead times on some of the digital equipment may accrue; and challenges include the fact that Client must recover systems with software that is (hopefully) backed up and stored offsite. Given the crucial need for Client to maintain continuous functioning, this option is unacceptable. Similarly, too is the last option (that employees work from home). Employees need more than PC laptops for them to function equitably. They need a complex system of technological devices. Furthermore, the competitive and complex nature of the Company necessitates that all work together and be in ready and constant contact one with the other. Employees' security certificates must be current, and their Internet connection must be assured to be highly efficient and working smoothly and rapidly.
Naturally, the last option (that employees remain home and desist from work) is the least acceptable given our Client's nature and situation. It is for this reason that assessing all the options, I chose Option #1 as the most feasible for Client given a careful and close investigation of his situation.
However, if I would choose to locate the work area in one of the Client's facilities in another state, I would make sure that all necessary equipment such as PCs, phones, tables, chairs etc. would all be already set up prior to disaster in a room specifically designed…
