As we head deeper into 2014, it is vital that corporate executives and IT managers are on the same page about the importance of having a robust disaster recovery (DR) and backup plan in place. According to recent research from MegaPath, the average cost of network downtime is now up to $212,000 per hour. Most businesses simply do not have the funds in place to quickly—or fully—recover from such an enormous loss.

Here are some of the most important lessons that we learned in 2013 about the importance of having a robust backup and DR plan:

• The market is overcrowded: Right now, the BDR market is completely saturated—and it is expected to grow even more in 2014. As a result, it is important that you find the right option for your business—not just any option. Make sure that you partner with a reliable organization that you can trust to handle your vital operational equipment. Don’t rush into any partnership for the sake of gaining an immediate plan. Like moving into a new office, you need to trust the location in order to achieve success.
• Bad weather is coming—it’s just a matter of when: Take a look at Super Typhoon Haiyan, which rocked the Philippines in November as evidence that superstorms can arise in any place, at any time. Don’t be lulled to sleep thinking that your business is free from disaster. Plan ahead so that in the event of an earthquake, flood, tornado or fire your business will be safe, sound and redundant.
• Not all BDR vendors are created equal: One aspect that became apparent in 2013 is that not every vendor has the right combination of products, technology, list of partners and industry expertise to provide the whole package your business needs to thrive. Make sure you shop around and assess the options for your business.

For more information about how Apex Technology Services can provide top of the line BDR services for your organization, please click here.