Backup, data recovery business rises post-WTC attacks

In the aftermath of the terrible terrorist attacks on WTC last month, the Indian corporate world has begun to re-look at the importance of data security, reliable storage, back-up and data recovery management (DRM) solutions.

The attacks, which resulted in a huge amount of data loss, has driven home the fact that terrorism is no more bound by geographies and that even Indian companies cannot afford to remain complacent.

Various companies have reported a spurt in the number of enquiries pertaining to storage and DRM solutions. Companies like EMC, IBM and CA have admitted an increase in the awareness concerning data security among

corporates.

EMC was one of the organizations which recovered data for several companies operating from WTC. Says T Srinivasan, Country Manager, "The WTC attacks to a certain extent have educated corporates and enterprises on the advantages of using real-time back-up and storage solutions. The demand for such solutions has certainly grown in the market."

Allied Digital Services which has partnered with Veritas for storage management and disaster recovery solutions also reported an increase in inquiries. Bimal Raj, GM-Marketing, says, "Our company has witnessed an increase in the number of queries concerning data recovery and storage solutions. This apparently is a result of the increasing awareness after the WTC attacks."

Manoj Dhingra, Technical Director, Stellar Information Services, which has data recovery labs in Mumbai and Delhi, says that their labs have been getting large number of calls concerning various data recovery solutions. However, he added that even the Nimda virus attacks could be one of the reasons apart from the genuine concern arising in the wake of WTC attacks.

Though data protection has been a part of the overall storage management strategy of quite a few large companies, small business houses have started realizing that data protection is not an option but a necessity.

Discussing the importance of data storage and protection, an IBM spokesperson says, "Data being an imperative aspect of today's business, enterprises, irrespective of their size, should have a sound storage management strategy." IBM, which played a significant role in data recovery after the attacks, offers business recovery and continuity solutions and has 120 recovery centers across the world.

Sathyan Gopalan, National Manager-Storage Solutions, Computer Associates also believes that corporates will now re-look at their data management strategies. "Corporates have started taking backup and DRM solutions more seriously." says he. "We are observing that they are evaluating their strategies to address both human and natural

tragedies."

Also acknowledging an increase in opportunities for channel partners, Bimal of Allied Digital Services says, "The awareness has created new business avenues for systems integrators. We believe that the SIs can benefit immensely from this situation."

Even IBM admitted that partners with expertise in systems integration will play an important role in offering total storage solutions to clients. The company spokesperson expects an increase in the demand of networked storage solutions. IBM has also predicted the emergence of demand of virtual storage and solutions with remote-access facility.