Communication, communication,
communication, is arguably the three most important
issues to consider when formulating and implementing
a comprehensive business continuity plan for any
business, large or small, but is often the one element
that is over looked – because reliability
of the telecoms network is invariably taken for granted.
But waiting hours, if not days, to re-establish voice
connections in the age of 365x24x7 working is simply
not an option and will place the continued operation
of any business under serious threat. Remember….little
happens in business until the phone rings.
The phenomenal reliability of the Public Services
Telephony Network (PSTN), has resulted from massive
investment made over the years by the many telephone
companies such that the quality of service now delivered
by the respective telecommunication companies is
second to none in terms of reliability, speed of
connectivity and service, thanks to stringent Government
regulation, policed by OfCom in the UK, and the demands
of the consumer. The Communication Act in the UK
requires carriers to provide 99.999% uptime. No such
stringent regulation currently exists to set any
standards whatsoever for the security, reliability
and transmission of data – including Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP) which remains a highly
un-reliable means of delivering voice communications
Furthermore, while there is an increased reliance
being placed on transacting business via the internet
using, predominantly, email and sourcing information
on the World Wide Web, every email and every web
site contains a telephone number to call if the recipient
requires clarification of any issue or perhaps more
information to assist in making that final purchasing
decision.
It is for these reasons that Companies
must consider what would happen to their business
if their customers
and or suppliers, could not speak to your employees
as a result of road works cutting through your telephone
cable feeding your office, or you could not access
your phone as a result of a road accident preventing
access to your office building, or simply adverse
weather preventing your employees from travelling
to their normal place of work
For more information on GemaTech’s
telecoms business continuity products please see
the GemaTech
Products section of this web site |
