Successfull Testing of Kelly's Disaster Recovery Plans
Kellys furniture storage warehouse is bristling with hi-tech features - but what would happen to the operation in the event of a power failure?
Although the company has detailed contingency plans, it was felt necessary to challenge them with a simulated long term power loss
over a 24hr period. Modern storage and logistics companies rely so much on power (for computers, lifting equipment, mobile racking,
security systems, telephones, fire protection etc.) that there is a risk of the entire operation becoming disabled.
So, at 4pm on Wednesday 6th February, Kelly's turned off the electricity supply. Within seconds, a powerful 165kw generator sprang into life
and provided an un-interupted supply of electricity until the test finished 24hrs later. Meanwhile, the IT department swapped all computer operations
away from computer servers in the building to a 'mirror' system located in another city.
Kelly's computer systems are backed up daily, using two different media, data tapes plus an electronic back up to the mirrored servers.
Apart from a momentary flickering of lights, the system swap was virtually un-noticeable.