Does Your Strategy Fit into 2017 Disaster Recovery Planning Trends? (If Not, Why?).

Disaster Recovery Planning With a Focus on Cloud Solutions

Looking to boost your disaster recovery planning this year? That’s a smart move, because in healthcare environments, access to data is often a critical situation, especially when it comes to medical imaging.

There are many disaster recovery planning trends out there today, including alternate data center/colocation. This was once thought to be a one-size-fits-all solution, but thanks to cloud solutions, there is a reduced capacity requirement. Also, less important systems and applications are using the alternate data center/colocation solution.

Virtualization is also picking up steam where disaster recovery is concerned and is considered by some to be a greatly improved method. The technology is found in most computing environments and it is helping to reduce the data center footprint. Furthermore, it provides more recovery options than internal options. For those who don’t want a lengthy recovery plan, virtualization is found to lessen that aspect of it.

There is also a trend in more dependence on third party providers. Non-critical and non-core competency functions are being handled more and more by third parties, which is something that will continue beyond its current status as a “trend.” Infrastructure as a service also falls in line with this third party trend. Production needs and web hosting are included in this structure. Of course, one of the greatest benefits of going with a third party is that they take care of all the disaster recovery needs.

Cloud disaster recovery is an exciting option. It’s used in so many industries due to its scalability, reliability and flexibility. A big advantage is that all the hardware and software management, updates and upkeep are in the hands of the vendor.

When you choose the cloud, you free up your IT staff to focus on existing technology. However, make sure you choose a vendor that utilizes vendor neutral archiving practices, as this will give you more options when it comes to accessing your data. Choose the right vendor and you can even view medical images on the go via tablet computers or smartphones. Furthermore, you can share you medical imaging with other authorized users, whether they’re down the hall in another department or in a completely separate facility far away.

At OffSite Image Management, Inc., our cloud-based solutions are a perfect fit for healthcare organizations looking to shore up their disaster recovery planning strategies. Our solution utilizes multiple Level IV data centers that are geographically disparate. This is how we are able to guarantee 99.9 percent uptime. Furthermore, when you put your medical images in our hands, you will only be charged for what you use. If you want to upgrade, our services allow for virtually limitless space that allows you to store as many medical images as needed. For more information about our business continuity and disaster recovery services, contact us today.