Last year a survey of business-continuity software users revealed that 38% have activated a disaster-recovery plan, says Brian Turley, president, Strohl Systems Inc., King of Prussia, Pa. He offers the following tips for power outages, the most common business-continuity planning challenge his software users face:
Develop, maintain and regularly test your business-continuity plan.
Power outages affect entire regions -- not just one business. Ensure that the scope of the plan considers regional outages.
Keep all employee contact information current.
Make sure alternate sites are not on the same power grid.
Airports and regional transportation may be shut down. Be prepared to recover without out-of-town personnel.
Stockpile food, potable water, medical supplies, flashlights and batteries for the command center.
Install and regularly test gas-powered generators. Know their limitations. Are they capable of running for many hours or days at a time?
Ensure that all critical computers operate on an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS).
Make provisions for transportation of key employees who rely on public transportation.