SMEs need help on back-up and disaster recovery

Resellers should be working more closely with vendors on back-up and disaster recovery issues in SMEs, claims Michelle McMurray

McMurray: Not enough SMEs take back-up requirements seriously

We recently commissioned Insight UK to look at technology issues that small firms in the UK are facing in this economic climate. We think the results offer an insight into how best to provide solutions to customers that meet their needs now and in future.

SMEs seek technologies that will support them and grow with them. Yet a small business may not have an IT department, IT manager or even an outsourced service provider.

We believe more businesses are out on the road, and a large percentage do not back up important company data. This puts sensitive customer data, as well as business productivity, at risk.

When, through the Insight survey, we asked some SMEs why they were failing to protect and safeguard their critical business files and information, they told us that time, security worries and a lack of concern were the main reasons.

SMEs require technology, support and training to simplify their processes. In fact, when we asked some SMEs what would make them actually protect and safeguard their data, automation, speed and ease of use came out top.

Vendors and resellers need to do more to educate customers about the importance of backing up sensitive data and demonstrate how easy this process is.

Our collective aim should be to ensure that end users understand the commercial benefits of safeguarding data, and to provide them with the tools and know-how to do so easily and consistently.

SMEs operate in a competitive market so must do everything they can to ensure their business is fool-proof. Compromising productivity, customer details and important business files just cannot be allowed to happen.

Resellers should be working closely with vendors to ensure customers have the best processes and equipment in the event of a data disaster.

Michelle McMurray is EMEA marketing communications director at Bu ffalo Technology