Grant support for IT pioneers

Jan 15 2008 By The Journal

BUSINESS communications specialist Knowledge I.T has launched the second of three pioneering data and business recovery centres in the region – with support from regional development agency One NorthEast. Agency chairman Margaret Fay officially opened the new, £1.3m Tier Three North Tyneside Data and Business Recovery Centre at Silverlink.

The facility, developed with help from a £150,000 Selective Finance for Investment grant from One NorthEast, enables companies to safely and securely store off-site back-up copies of electronic documents, data and other important commercial information.

Customers will be able to access and retrieve these easily in the event of a flood, fire, human error, terrorist attack or computer virus destroying the original electronic version, enabling them to get their business back up and running as soon as possible.

Business studies show that 43% of companies that suffer a major loss of computer records never reopen for business, while 51% close within two years.

The market is set to continue to grow in the face of increasing industrial espionage, corporate vandalism and terrorist attacks on business facilities and infrastructure.

Security is a top priority at the Silverlink Centre, with physical, electronic and biometric systems conforming to the global standard for information security management systems (ISO 27001).

State-of-the-art fire detection, suppression and environmental systems have been incorporated, while a dedicated electricity sub-station and back-up generator will enable the site to continue to function during a National Grid power failure.

One NorthEast chairman Margaret Fay said: “This centre, not just one of the best of its kind in North East England but also in the UK, is another milestone for Knowledge I.T and a real showcase for the strength and breadth of high level IT skills that are available in this region.

“IT is a fundamental part of every business and of the development of our economy – particularly during the transition from one based purely on manufacturing to one based on knowledge and innovation.

“Whilst we hope businesses will rarely have to use it, this facility will provide a key support, helping them to protect their assets and continue to function if the worst should happen.

“Crucially, the centre is one of the most environmentally-friendly of its kind – and here, Knowledge I.T has again been ahead of competitors in helping to reduce the carbon footprint of data storage and recovery processes.”

Martin Coleman, managing director of Knowledge I.T, said: “Silverlink is a major investment for us and is another big step forward in our growth strategy.

“It is a fact that most businesses never fully recover from a disaster-level event, so it’s prudent that they have plans in place to protect their assets and ensure they will continue to function. We can now help them meet that requirement together with the very best standards of service and quality excellence.”