Business Users:

Imagine for a moment the amount of revenue lost due to the inability to track and bill outgoing services or products or access your client database or financial records. Imagine the time lost reentering a year’s worth of data.

Industry analysts report that 60% of businesses that lose their data never open their doors again. Of those businesses that do stay open 90% end up failing completely within two years. It is easy to see how important it is for you to have the best business continuity plan available. Part of your plan should be reliable, simple, and scheduled backup of your data!

Home Users:

- Do you do some or all of your work from home?

- Do your kids have homework and project assignments on the family PC?

- Do you have countless memories stored in pictures and files?

- Do you have your computer set up, just the way you like it where everything works perfect for you?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should be backing up your data! The “system recovery disk” that comes with your computer will not recover your personal files. What this means is that any work you have used your computer for since the day you bought it, is lost if disaster strikes. This inlcudes: your emails, favorite places, financial records, research, kids pictures, homework, or your home business files. All of this important data can be gone forever if disaster strikes.

Call today for more information on our data backup solutions. 225-923-0999 or email us at sales@computerheaven.com

You can also download a FREE TRIAL of our data backup software. Just Click on the inVault link to the left.

 

Below are some essential items that may help you before, during and after a hurricane. You can find most of these items at Computer Heaven year round but we will be sure to keep extra stock in the event of a hurricane. Also take a look at the tips for preparing your home and business.

 

  The Dynamo! No Power? No Problem! You simply hand crank this device to provide power to your cellphone, built in flashlight, AM radio, and a built in Siren.	Â	  Rapid Charge cell phone recharger. Insert a doulbe a battery and have your cell phone fully recharged in only 5 minutes!
Â	Â	Â
  400 Watt Power Inverter. Use your car to instantly give you 2 120v outlets to power whatever you need.	Â	  This APC Battery backup will not only protect you from power surges that accompany hurricanes and lightning, it will also give you time to save the work you have open in the event of a power surge/failure.
  Don’t be left in the dark when the power goes out. Pick up a few of these today!	Â	  External hard drives are the perfect way to back up all of your valuable informatoin and photographs. Have to leave the computer in a hurry? Just grab this and go taking all of your precious data with you.
  Wireless Air Card. Nationwide Internet on the go. *Not carried in store. See your closest Celluar provider for service in your area.	Â	  Small and light weight these Acer notebooks are perfect when paired with a wireless air card. Get on the internet almost anywhere.
Did you know we also carry the following items as well?
  Batteries of all sizes	Â	  By the bottle or case

 

 Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Businesses

Have you ever considered the catastrophic effects a hurricane may have on your business, your employees and your life?

Did you know that over 50% of businesses that lose their data after a catastrophy are usually out of business within 6 months following the event?

 

DEVELOP A WRITTEN PLAN

Developing a written preparedness plan and training employees to implement it is critical. The following guidelines are provided to assist you in the development of your plan.

When you develop your written plan, make sure to address the following major areas:

1. Make plans for the protection of plant and equipment.
2. Develop a staffing policy that identifies essential employees and which of them, if any, must remain at the facility during the hurricane. The policy should identify when employees will be released from work as well as when they are expected to return. Businesses may predetermine that employees will return to work when employees are ordered to return, in case telephone service is out.
3. Develop procedures and policies for all phases of hurricane operations:
   • Pre-Season Preparedness
   • Hurricane Watch
   • Hurricane Warning
   • After the Hurricane
4. Identify and protect vital records such as accounts receivable, customer records, tax records, and other personnel and administrative documents.
5. Review insurance policies to ensure that there is adequate coverage.Questions to ask include:
   • Is the facility in a high hazard, evacuation area?
   • Does the insurance package include wind/storm coverage?
   • Is the facility located in a flood prone area and is the flood insurance adequate?
   • Does insurance cover damage to contents, including vital records and office equipment?
   • Does the package include liability coverage for injury to employees as well as potential lawsuits from customers?

BEFORE THE HURRICANE

1. Compile an Emergency Contact List with 24-hour telephone contact numbers of essential employees.
2. Identify vital records and make back-up copies/and or transfer them to microfilm. Identify a safe storage level area within the facility where records can be relocated, if necessary. This area should be above ground level and away from windows and exterior walls, which may leak. In a one-story facility, file cabinets and boxes may be placed on pallets up off the floor. Consider moving vital records off-site, particularly if the business is in a storm-surge vulnerable area.
3. Determine responsibility for maintaining the facility. Ensure that the following items are addressed:
   • Patch roofs and windows.
   • Check security and flood lighting.
   • Identify lightweight, loose items in outside storage areas that may be blown around in the wind.
   • Identify emergency power requirements and determine if generator is available. If facility must be operational during a hurricane and a generator is not available, rent or purchase a generator. Test generator monthly during the hurricane season.
   • Determine if computer support will be available for primary/ critical computer users who need to remain operational during a hurricane.
   • Verify that communications equipment is operational.
4. Determine the type and amount of hurricane emergency supplies necessary. All hurricane emergency supplies should be clearly marked and stored in a secure area that is accessible in an emergency. Recommended supplies include:
   • A battery-operated radio or TV (test reception in building).
   • One flashlight per person working during the hurricane.
   • Extra batteries for both radio and flashlights.
   • First-Aid kit.
   • Emergency tool kit, if necessary.
   • Food and water supplies for staff assigned to the facility during the hurricane. Be sure to include needed utensils.
5. Provide employees with hurricane preparedness information.

DURING HURRICANE WATCH

1. Secure all doors, windows, and other openings against wind and water.
2. Tie down or bring indoors any objects which may be blown about by hurricane winds. Install hurricane shutters , cover windows with boards, or close drapes. If a room must be occupied during the hurricane and window protection is not available, windows may be crisscrossed with tape to slightly reduce flying glass.
3. Verify that vital records are in a safe storage area. Files, records, and storage cabinets may be wrapped in plastic for moisture protection. If necessary, temporarily relocate records to a safe storage facility off-site.
4. Confirm availability of necessary computer support.
5. Ensure that all vehicles are serviced and fueled. Determine where they can be stored to safely weather the storm.
6. Inventory hurricane emergency supplies and restock if necessary.
7. Dismiss essential employees temporarily so they can secure their personal property before returning to duty.

DURING HURRICANE WARNING

1. Move desks, files, equipment and furniture away from un-shuttered windows. Papers, drawings, etc. should be placed inside files or desks. Wrap office equipment, such as copy machine and computers, in plastic to protect against water damage.
2. Dismiss all non-essential personnel.

3. Turn off all air conditioners, disconnect electrical equipment, turn off lights.

AFTER THE HURRICANE

1. Assess basic damages at work site including roof, water, damage and broken windows.
2. Initiate clean-up of work-site.
3. Do not turn on computer equipment if there are indications of low voltage power fluctuations, low air conditioning output, water under raised floor, broken windows or damaged equipment.
4. Employees return to work according to staffing schedule.

Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Home

Hurricanes can be dangerous, listening to the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.

BEFORE THE HURRICANE

• Know your Emergency Shelters Contact the National Disaster Office for the closest shelters.                 Â

• Have disaster supplies on hand
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Non-perishable (canned food) and water
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Essential medicines
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Sturdy shoes
• Protect your windows Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood–marine plywood is best–cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.                 Â

• Trim back branches from trees Trim branches away from your home and cut all dead or weak branches on any trees on your property.                 Â

• Check into your Home and Auto Insurance Confirm that policies are valid and coverage is appropriate.
• Make arrangements for pets and livestock Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on animal shelters.                 Â

• Develop an emergency communication plan Make sure that all family members know what to do. Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Teach children how and when to call police or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information. In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.                 Â

Hurricane Watches and Warnings

A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.

DURING A HURRICANE WATCH

• Listen to the radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
• Check emergency supplies.
• Fuel car.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows.
• Remove outside antennas and satellite dishes.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
• Store drinking water in clean jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING

• If you need to evacuate your home, lock up home and go to the nearest shelter.
• Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.
• Listen constantly to a radio or television for official instructions.
• Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
• Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power “surge” when electricity is restored.

*Courtesy of CDERA.org