On the eve of the 2005 hurricane season, one company is doing its part to prepare businesses for any eventuality during what is forecasted to be an active six months.
Cayman Business Machines, distributor for Xerox Office Equipment and Document Solutions, is hosting an information session that will address the issue of disaster planning and recovery as it impacts businesses in the Cayman Islands, according to a company press release.
The event will also officially launch Project Ark 2007, an initiative that was originally created and developed by Xerox Jamaica to encourage all corporate and government entities in Jamaica to begin digitally archiving documents as part of their disaster preparation and recovery processes, and to complete this monumental task by 2007.
‘Project Ark 2007 is based on the concept of Noah’s Ark, which, in the Bible, was a safe haven when God used floodwaters to judge mankind,’ explains Gillian Bedasse, sales manager of Cayman Business Machines.
‘Experts in the US say that more than 93 per cent of the companies that lose data as a result of a disaster file for bankruptcy in less than a year. We contend that those on board the Ark will survive by having scanned copies of all documents in a secure and easily stored, easily shared and accessed system. Larger organizations will go a step further to ensure complete business continuity by having data accessible from remote backup sites.’
The goal of Project Ark is to provide Cayman businesses with the ability to protect all documents that are of economic, financial and historic significance.
The seminar, on Wednesday, 29 June, in the Ballroom of the newly renovated Grand Cayman Marriott, will review the importance of securing valuable data in the face of a possible disaster; and look at document-management solutions; the hard lessons learned from Hurricane Ivan and ways to ensure business continuity in the face of disaster or crisis.
Speakers and invitees will include various government agencies and members of the private sector. The event is open to the public and admission is free.
The Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean was commissioned by the Cayman Islands Government to assess the damage and losses incurred as a result of Hurricane Ivan. Total losses were estimated at $3.4 billion, 83 per cent of which reflected damage and destruction of assets. The remaining 17 per cent constituted loss of production and revenues as well as increased cost in provision of services. Not included in this appraisal was the less obvious, but just as important aspect, of loss of documents.
‘It is Xerox’s goal to help businesses ensure that they are not caught unprepared next time around,’ said Ms. Bedasse. ‘This seminar will show attendees how to protect their business and guarantee their peace of mind.’
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