E-Business

Best DR Plan Can be Invalidated by a Wrong Hand-Dijkstra

Published

15 years ago

February 23, 2009

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Marc Dijkstra, chief technology officer, Symantec in charge of the Emerging Region including Russia, the Middle East, Southern Mediterranean and Africa. He has an in-depth knowledge of the data management, storage and high availability landscape. Marc worked with Computer Work Station Sales as a support engineer before he moved to VERITAS UK as a Storage and Availability Presales specialist before joining Symantec in 2007. He spoke to emeka okafor.

Promoting Green IT

From Symantec perspective, being a software and infrastructure company and taking into cognizance that we are into storage and virtualization technology, promoting Green IT is something we are heavily into. We have a number of tools that help customers identify areas which they can actually save cooling and heating costs saving amount of storage that they use. As an example, we have one of our products that can identify when you are underutilizing your storage. One of the biggest problems you can have is underutilization of your storage. When you have all these and they are not being used you still pay electricity bill as you need to cool the systems. . We can identify the storage that is not in use and try to drive utilization up by mopping the underutilization storage to the storage element we can identify. So every thing Green IT, we have a number of tools also as a consulting firm that can identify how much power we can save by dragging up utilization process.

Optimizing Storage Resources Utilization

One of the things we looked at when we started the standardization initiative was that it is part of our bold strategies to identify within the storage management brief. One of the things we did was to identify where we could save customers Tier One storage cost by moving data from Tier One storage to the secondary storage having the same data. We do that in subtle space. We have a customer in Nigeria who is looking at ways to take their old data from Tier One old expensive disc and put it on a cheaper disc. He estimated that he could save approximately 80 per cent of his storage disc by moving the Tier One disc into the Tier Two disc at a much lower price than the Tier One disc. It means that the customer doesn’t need to buy a new storage system .He can buy the cheapest disc and a recycle forward will be able to take that data and put it on to shape.

Overview of Products

Symantec has a number of products. I have lost count but I think it has close to 200 products. Symantec is storage and availability company as well as a security company. We have a very bold range of products from the traditional security products, back up products, duplication, archiving, enterprise desktop management etc, but the joy of Symantec is that we are a heterogeneous company and we have a very broad range of applications on storage. According to IDC Report (late last quarter) Symantec is now the number one leader in the storage management space and we lead significantly over the other competitors. The product I work more is on high availability and storage management space.

Guidelines for a Successful Storage Strategy

Testing, testing, and testing. We did a Disaster Recovery Report in 2008 and one of the problems we had is that people are not testing the disaster recovery strategy enough. People will do DR test once a year but it is not effective. It’s really not effective to cover all the bases. Two tests once every six months is ideal. There is need to do for instance virus test to ascertain what will happen if virus hits the system and that is very important. Besides testing, DR is expensive especially if you are running critical operations like Telcos and mobile providers of the billing system. You cannot switch that system off otherwise you will be affecting the service of your consumers. So you have to balance how you are going to test your DR without affecting your customers, your bottom line, and your staff. I think the industry is thinking more along how to automate the testing without having disruption and Symantec has ways we actually allow you to automate DR tests without disrupting your actual application.
It is one key word when it comes to disaster recovery- the planning. Having a good disaster recovery plan and doing your risk analysis is most important in DR strategy because whatever happens we make sure that it works.

Best Practice for Disaster Recovery

It is firstly, the plan has to be in place. Be it internal plan or an outside consulting plan, the business has to have understanding of what the risk appetite is. What can they afford to do without and for how long? If it is a financial institution that is doing online trading, it can’t really be down. Government legislation in some cases will actually disallow that so your risk appetite has to be assessed before you can identify. So once your DR plan is actually in place and you have identified your risk appetite then you can identify the way you go. But remember how much you do it depends on cost as we have a sliding scale for various services I think the most important thing when talking about best practice is that once you identify the risk appetite you must identify plan and once your plan is in place it must be assessed. We have a very interesting statistics that in 2007 we found 55% of our respondents at the C level were involved in DR planning process. Last year we found that it dropped to 33%. So one question is that has DR become little focused or was it a defect in the organization that it just had to happen? It’s a question I have asked in Nigeria. The people I have spoken to in Nigeria are very more executive level discussions. The C level is involved in the DR strategy, DR process and DR planning. Either that in your office you will have a DR strategy committee to discuss the most important issues on DR strategy and not doing it once and leaving it because you need to continue with your testing on hourly basis and at the centre. One wrong man point can invalidate the whole outline

Focus of Symantec Products

It all depends. A lot of people even small to mediums are trying to locate their risks appetite, what they can do to keep their businesses up and running. From small to mediums if they lose their data could mean the end of the business. So you get to look at ways to do it. Small to mediums may not have DR strategy the way a financial house will have with gig net, internet. We play in all spaces, be it small to medium businesses, even to consumer.

IT Risk Management

IT risk management from Symantec perspective, we do certainly get involved in IT risks assessment in understanding the risk appetite with the customer. From my perspective, IT risk management understands the risk of the business either from internal or external, hacking, be it data loss, natural disaster or whatever it could be and und a committee in change control. Remember if you don’t have a change committee you are introducing risk into your environment.

Customers in Nigeria

I met with a number of executives from finance a couple of months back and the interesting thing to me was that although this knowledge is special but what made clear to me at the moment is that the CIOs are certainly coming down the line. Nigeria seeing what is going on in the Americas, India, MEA and Europe, there is legislation about keeping your data available, there’s legislation about holding data especially in the finance industry so it is in their minds. I wouldn’t say from my experience in dealing with the people. Email availability all the time is very important to people, I have a very lengthy discussion with CIOs about a month ago around the six points and it is very much in the full front of their minds.

New Products

What you will see coming down the line in the nearest future is looking at ways of mitigating the risks to the business. We mitigate risk by automating processes and by doing correct testing. What we will be looking at in our new product is that we will be looking at ways to go and test the environment and do risk analysis on the environment, weigh and identify the risks and report home the risk before problem happens. High availability cost ream technology will do the risks of the strategy and help check analysis and find out where issues are. It is one of the control processes you can look at multi- faceted, if one of the PCs fails its all about mitigation of risks

Energy Problem

One of the things Symantec is driving for is to reduce the amount of heating in the environment. One of the things talked about in the DR report as well as the stage of the data centre report just released is that the strategy of the CIO data center manager is still around consolidation, virtualization and automation. These are the three key areas in the 2007 report that came up again in 2008. By going the virtualization route, you are driving down the electricity needs. The Green IT makes this strong. So if we can tie Green IT with the strategy of the data center we are driving down the huge need of electricity. With our technology you use less service and storage so we are helping the customer drive down demand for electricity used to cool and power the data center. Virtualization is one of the strategies from Symantec through which demand for storage electricity is reduced. With the cost ream technology you don’t need as many services so you are driving down the cost of electricity again. There is electricity problem even in South Africa also. It is not just Africa that has electricity problem. There was a report in California running out of power. There’s a problem in Florida. Electricity is a global crisis so Symantec and IT industry have to look at innovative ways to drive down need for this power.

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E-Business

Confronting the Google Monolith: Survival Strategies for Online Businesses

Published

23 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Comms Week

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By Reuben Kalu.

In the vast expanse of the digital realm, Google looms large, an omnipresent force shaping the way we navigate, search, and conduct business online.

From its humble beginnings as a search engine to its current status as a multifaceted tech behemoth, Google has entrenched itself deeply into the fabric of the internet.

Its influence is undeniable, its reach unparalleled, and its ubiquity seemingly inescapable. But can you truly run an online business without Google?

The answer, in today’s digital landscape, is a resounding no. You have no choice.

Google’s dominance extends across multiple facets of the online world, making it virtually impossible for businesses to thrive without engaging with its ecosystem.

From search engine optimization (SEO) to online advertising, email services to analytics, Google’s suite of products and services permeates every aspect of the online business landscape.

Attempting to operate without Google is akin to swimming against a relentless tide, fighting an uphill battle fraught with obstacles and limitations.

At the heart of Google’s influence lies its search engine, the gateway through which billions of internet users navigate the vast expanse of online content. .

Google’s search algorithms wield immense power, determining which websites rank prominently in search results and which languish in obscurity.

For businesses seeking to attract organic traffic and expand their online presence, optimizing for Google’s search algorithms is not merely advisable—it’s imperative.

But Google’s influence extends far beyond search. Consider Google Ads, the company’s advertising platform that enables businesses to reach targeted audiences through paid search, display, and video advertising.

With billions of searches conducted on Google each day, Google Ads provides unparalleled reach and visibility, allowing businesses to target potential customers with pinpoint accuracy.

Attempting to compete in the online advertising arena without leveraging Google Ads is akin to entering a battle unarmed—a futile endeavor destined for failure.

Moreover, Google’s suite of productivity tools, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Workspace, has become indispensable for businesses seeking to streamline their operations and enhance collaboration.

With seamless integration across devices and platforms, Google’s productivity tools offer unparalleled convenience and efficiency, empowering businesses to work smarter, not harder.

Attempting to eschew Google’s productivity suite in favor of alternative solutions is not only impractical but also unwise, depriving businesses of the tools they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Furthermore, Google Analytics stands as the gold standard for web analytics, providing businesses with invaluable insights into their online performance and audience behavior.

From tracking website traffic and user engagement to analyzing conversion metrics and customer demographics, Google Analytics offers a comprehensive toolkit for optimizing online marketing strategies and driving business growth.

Attempting to gauge online performance without leveraging Google Analytics is akin to flying blind, devoid of the critical data needed to make informed decisions and drive meaningful results.

But perhaps the most formidable aspect of Google’s influence lies in its role as a gatekeeper of information and access.

With billions of users relying on Google’s platforms and services each day, the company wields immense control over the flow of online traffic and the dissemination of information.

For businesses seeking to connect with customers and expand their reach, Google’s dominance presents both a tremendous opportunity and a formidable challenge.

Attempting to circumvent Google’s influence and establish an online presence independent of its ecosystem is a Herculean task, fraught with uncertainty and risk.

In essence, attempting to run an online business without engaging with Google is akin to swimming against a relentless tide, fighting an uphill battle fraught with obstacles and limitations.

While alternative platforms and solutions exist, none possess the ubiquity, reach, and influence of Google’s ecosystem.

To thrive in today’s digital landscape, businesses must embrace Google’s dominance and leverage its suite of products and services to their advantage. You have no choice.

In conclusion, Google’s pervasive influence permeates every aspect of the online business landscape, making it virtually impossible to escape its grasp.

From search engine optimization to online advertising, productivity tools to web analytics, Google’s ecosystem encompasses a vast array of products and services that have become indispensable for businesses seeking to succeed in the digital age.

While alternative solutions may exist, none possess the ubiquity, reach, and influence of Google’s ecosystem.

To thrive in today’s digital landscape, businesses must embrace Google’s dominance and leverage its suite of products and services to their advantage.

You have no choice.

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E-Business

Hydrogen Hosts Catalyst Workshop, Highlights Resilient Business Models for Fintech Startups

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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As part of its mission to empower African businesses with tools needed to thrive, garner admiration, and foster global acclaim, leading payment solution company, Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited (Hydrogen), recently partnered with the Co Creation Hub (CcHub), to host the latest edition of the Catalyst workshop in Lagos.

The discourse addressed the potential risks and opportunities for startups and saw experts advise participants on the need to develop resilient business models that would scale across different economic climes.

Moderated by Miracle Ezechi, Digital Marketing Manager, Hydrogen, the panel session addressed dominant issues about the theme: ‘Adapting Fintech Business Models to Economic Climes: Flexibility, Agility and Customer-centricity’.

Mr. Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer, Hydrogen, who spoke as a panellist, addressed the issue of customer-centricity, which according to him, is key to Fintech growth.

He advised startups to listen to customer demands and understand their needs in order to develop the right solutions that will lead to long term market viability.

“Innovation is key for startup growth. However, understanding customers’ needs and change in behaviour will help any startup to innovate better.

“Startups must be flexible and agile to develop solutions with high interoperability and processing speed, and they must be ready to learn from startups that have failed,” Awagu said.

With an estimated 61.07 percent of startups failing, the participants stressed the need for prudence.

“Statistically, a staggering number of startups fail, often due to financial mismanagement. Hence, founders must prioritise understanding and maintaining a healthy the Cost-to-Earnings ratio.

“It is not just a number, but a pivotal indicator of a company’s financial health as well as being a key attractiveness determinant for investors,” Awagu added.

On his part, Ina Alogwu, the Group Director, Digital Transformation, ARM HOLDCO, who also spoke as a panellist at the session, stressed the need for startups to develop sustainable products and solutions that will help them remain competitive in an environment that is faced with harsh economic realities.

“Many startup businesses fail within their first five years, however upcoming startups should not be discouraged, rather develop a culture that will encourage them to understand the reasons for failure and learn from mistakes.

“Startups should not be too rigid with their solutions and should be ready to accept changes that will drive innovation,” Alogwu stated.

Hydrogen will be deepening its economic impact series with a webinar planned for Thursday, April 25, even as businesses across Africa continue to face an array of challenges, ranging from inflation and currency fluctuations to rising operating costs.

Themed ‘Navigating Economic Challenges: Strategies for Sustainable Growth,’ the webinar will delve into key areas critical for businesses to not only survive but thrive in the face of economic adversity. Register using this link – https://bit.ly/Hydrogenwebinar.

Esteemed panellists for this event include Taofik Odukoya, CEO, Vanguard Pharmacy, and Okechukwu Odimgbe, Chief Financial Officer, Hydrogen. The session will be moderated by Nnenna Sam-Obioha, Ecosystem Orchestrator, Hydrogen.

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E-Business

Dexude Secures Funding to Revolutionize Education in Nigeria, Beyond

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

Comms Week

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Dexude, a leading edtech platform with operations in Nigeria, has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Business Finland TEMPO funding.

Charles Emembolu, founder of Dexude,

This significant funding injection marks a pivotal moment in Dexude’s journey towards transforming education through its AI-powered, live-first, expert-led, and community-driven platform.

The Business Finland TEMPO funding is specifically designed to support startups and SMEs aiming for international growth by building their expertise and solutions into international success stories in innovative ways.

Dexude’s commitment to innovation, coupled with its vision to enable a billion learners worldwide, aligns perfectly with the objectives of the TEMPO funding.

Commenting on this milestone achievement, Charles Emembolu, founder of Dexude, remarked, “We are incredibly honored and excited to receive the Business Finland TEMPO funding. This funding is not only a validation of Dexude’s mission to reinvent education but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. With this support, we are poised to accelerate our efforts in democratizing access to quality education and empowering learners across Nigeria and beyond.”

L-r; Kelvin Chikezie, co-founder of Dexude; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); and Charles Emembolu, founder of Dexude

Kelvin Chikezie, co-founder of Dexude, added, “Securing the Business Finland TEMPO funding is a significant milestone for Dexude. It underscores our commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to revolutionize the way people learn and grow. We are grateful to Business Finland for believing in our vision, and we are excited to embark on this next chapter of Dexude’s journey.”

Dexude is on a mission to redefine education by providing learners with access to influential experts and thought leaders, live interactions, and a vibrant community-driven learning experience.

Through its platform, Dexude aims to break down barriers to learning and empower individuals to pursue their passions and unlock their full potential.

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