See Also	Datacentre InfrastructureRemote Online BackupStorage Audit ServicesStorage on Demand

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• Automatic primary and secondary copies of data in separate, secure datacentre facilities, ensure business continuity in the event of disaster recovery situations.
• Clearly defined backup and restore criteria ensure accurate definition of service level agreements, with performance measured under contract terms (with associated penalties).
• The adoption of a managed backup service enables key client personnel to be released from onerous administration duties to concentrate on adding value to the business through, for example, more efficient storage resource management practices.
• The introduction of an identified on-demand payment structure removes capital expenditure, on-going maintenance and administration support from the balance sheet and facilitates the introduction of predictable service costs to budget planning.

Engagement Process

• Initial Engagement - Q Associates' consultants will provide a comprehensive overview of the Remote Online Backup Service and undertake full technical qualification to confirm project viability.
• Project Definition Workshop - Technical and commercial workshops are then committed to as part of the solution design process, from which a formal proposal can be presented, prior to commitment to contract.
• Solution Design - Architecture is proposed to accommodate full backup for existing and forecast data growth requirements and provided on a pay-as-you-use utility basis.
• Design Architecture (Client Software) - Configuration of robust backup management software across client LAN/WAN environments, with multi-vendor application/database support for Windows NT, Windows 2000 and UNIX servers.
• Design Architecture (Virtual Storage Gateway) - Installation of an intelligent Virtual Storage Gateway at the client site(s) to manage the dedicated communications link to the Q Associates' datacentre, providing guaranteed secure delivery of all backup services.
• Design Architecture (Private LAN Extension) - Installation of high performance (Fast/Gigabit Ethernet) connectivity providing resilient private LAN/WAN extension direct to Q Associates' datacentre facility.
• Design Architecture (Backup Scheduling) - Full backup regimes are implemented to support agreed service levels with restore on demand controlled by administration processes at the client site.
• Service Level Support - All backups are directed to Q Associates' 365,24x7, mainframe class primary datacentre facility and supported to defined and documented service levels, with further data resilience addressed via duplication to a secondary datacentre site.
• Contract Support - Skilled customer support staff administer and maintain guaranteed service levels, with bi-monthly client-site meetings to assess contract performance and accommodate change control processes, as appropriate.