One of the cornerstones of the Coalition Government being formed earlier this year was their promise to streamline public services in order to deliver cost savings on the nation's route out of the recession.
Part of this may come in the form of Local Authorities being given the incentive to deliver services to other areas outside of their Geographical remit - you can read more here. This would see Local Authorities recognised more as Commercial organisations and given the ability to act as such. Local Authorities would be able to cut costs by launching shared services - this would in turn enable them to hit their targets for the Carbon Reduction Scheme by sharing Data Centres instead of running and maintaining separate Data Centres.
Redstor have been working with our Local Authority partners to provide services that make their lives and jobs easier by helping them deliver shared services. Instead of each individual Local Authority investing in their own new Data Centres to power backup solutions; 85 of them now backup their data to our Data Centres through RBUSS which allows us all to save energy and have a greener approach to ICT.
Through our Remote Management & Monitoring tool CentraStage, Local Authorities can automate repetitive tasks and share knowledge pools of which tasks to automate in order to free up resources. Dozens of Local Authorities are already working in this manner to co-operate and help each other do more with less.
Showing posts with label RBUSS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RBUSS. Show all posts
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Redstor and 8el Partnership Announcement
Redstor, a leading managed services, cloud storage and IT solutions provider, has today announced its partnership with 8el, an established provider of communications solutions including IP telephony, ISP services and Wide/Local Area Networks (W/LAN). The partnership will allow 8el to resell Redstor’s online backup service to UK based customers in order to meet their specific business communication needs.
This partnership is part of Redstor’s growth plans to expand its customer base and its sales force through reseller partnership programs. The partnership will allow 8el to focus on expanding its service offering with Redstor providing the back end infrastructure for 8el to offer its existing customer base online data storage.
Commenting on the partnership, Justin Hamilton-Martin, Managing Director at 8el, said: “8el is continuing to launch cloud based services, complementing our existing portfolio. Online Data Storage is expected to be a significant area of growth for our business and 8el are pleased to be partnering with Redstor to provide an invaluable storage solution”
Paul Evans, Managing Director at Redstor, commented: “Today’s partnership announcement will allow 8el to offer its customers on-line data back-up services without the worry of planning or managing the technical infrastructure of the service. Redstor will handle the management of the information, allowing 8el to grow its business by providing its customers with industry leading repeatable added-value services.”
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
This partnership is part of Redstor’s growth plans to expand its customer base and its sales force through reseller partnership programs. The partnership will allow 8el to focus on expanding its service offering with Redstor providing the back end infrastructure for 8el to offer its existing customer base online data storage.
Commenting on the partnership, Justin Hamilton-Martin, Managing Director at 8el, said: “8el is continuing to launch cloud based services, complementing our existing portfolio. Online Data Storage is expected to be a significant area of growth for our business and 8el are pleased to be partnering with Redstor to provide an invaluable storage solution”
Paul Evans, Managing Director at Redstor, commented: “Today’s partnership announcement will allow 8el to offer its customers on-line data back-up services without the worry of planning or managing the technical infrastructure of the service. Redstor will handle the management of the information, allowing 8el to grow its business by providing its customers with industry leading repeatable added-value services.”
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
Monday, 4 October 2010
7 days to go...
It's 7 days until Redstor will be exhibiting at the upcoming annual 3 day Socitm Conference 2010 in Brighton.
Socitm 2010: tomorrow’s public services today runs over three days with top speakers and fellow delegates bringing the audience bang up to date on key unfolding agendas: open data and transparency; G-cloud; smart commissioning; customer access and channel shift; ICT strategy for austerity; PSN; shared services and personal data.
Redstor will be exhibiting alongside some of the top ICT companies such as Microsoft and Oracle.
With the delegates at the conference being senior ICT decision makers from Local Government and public sector organisations, it will provide a great opportunity for Redstor to network with new names and catch up with Local Authorities who we currently work with.
With the public sector facing the most draconian cuts in living memory, radical business transformation is the only option for public sector organisations. IT leaders and their teams need new skills, new models of service delivery and even a whole new culture.
Redstor's message has never been more relevant!
More information on the conference itself can be found HERE
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
Socitm 2010: tomorrow’s public services today runs over three days with top speakers and fellow delegates bringing the audience bang up to date on key unfolding agendas: open data and transparency; G-cloud; smart commissioning; customer access and channel shift; ICT strategy for austerity; PSN; shared services and personal data.
Redstor will be exhibiting alongside some of the top ICT companies such as Microsoft and Oracle.
With the delegates at the conference being senior ICT decision makers from Local Government and public sector organisations, it will provide a great opportunity for Redstor to network with new names and catch up with Local Authorities who we currently work with.
With the public sector facing the most draconian cuts in living memory, radical business transformation is the only option for public sector organisations. IT leaders and their teams need new skills, new models of service delivery and even a whole new culture.
Redstor's message has never been more relevant!
More information on the conference itself can be found HERE
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Cloud Storage
Redstor Managing Director, Paul Evans, looks at how ‘The Cloud’ can help address today’s Public Sector Challenges
Established in 1998 Redstor’s has been an EMC partner since its inception and today its focus is data management and protection and cloud based services and solutions. The company’s commercial heritage spans the financial, technology, oil and gas markets. In 2005 Redstor turned its attention to the public sector in particular the education market.
The public sector is about to enter the greatest period of change since the end of the Second World War. Uncertainty is certain! The cupboards are bare. The age of austerity is among us. Whatever metaphor one chooses to use, the facts are daunting.
The UK is facing public sector debt north of £800 billion and this excludes the massive future pension liabilities. Budget cuts are expected to be at least 25% between 2010 and 2013. Becta is being shut down and merged with the ‘new’ Department for Education. The ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme has been stopped and the Autumn 2010 spending review is awaited with trepidation.
Add to this the immediate freeze in headcount, strict travel restrictions and imminent redundancies and it is clear that the next few years for the public sector will be tough.
Public Sector Repercussions:
Public sector technologies, and the teams that manage the technology infrastructure for the public sector, are predicted to be especially hard hit.
The situation public sector technology decision makers find themselves in is daunting. As cuts become increasingly widespread there are four central conclusions that can be drawn:
- Departments will delay hardware/software refreshes & upgrades
- Ageing IT kit will increase support overheads
- There will be greater stress on central IT teams
- Departments accustomed to existing levels of service will expect more for less
Going Green
As IT decision makers contemplate and plan for the next few years, the green agenda will continue to change the behaviours of these decision makers. The Carbon Reduction Efficiency Scheme (CRC) which started operating in April will put further pressure on technology decision makers. This is essential to reduce UK carbon emission gases by 80% before 2050 against a 1990 baseline and the public sector will have to comply.
Planning an ICT Strategy
Planning an effective ICT strategy has never been harder. The status quo is no longer an option and it is time to take a fresh approach towards ICT. The central issue technology decision makers must address is efficiency whilst maintaining and improving service to their internal and external customers.
Decision makers must specifically look at common infrastructures, standards and encourage the automation of mundane and repetitive tasks to focus attention on the customer experience. A single public sector network and the creation of the Government G-Cloud are seen as solutions that are gaining momentum within the public sector. The advantages of each are already well made arguments and address the central issue of efficiency within a cost effective framework based on pay-as-you-go, rather than upfront capital expenditure and benefiting from economies of scale.
Other issues gaining increased momentum include shared services, data centre rationalisation and common designs for desktop services.
As technology changes in the public sector take hold Redstor has been in the ,vanguard introducing cloud storage based technologies such as its online backup service which address key public sector challenges. For example its schools online backup service, which is underpinned by EMC SAN and VMware technology and sold through partners such as Local Authorities, addresses the fundamental issues faced by the public sector of cost and utilisation. By offering a cloud backup service to schools, Redstor through its economies of scale is able to offer a cheaper, greener service than the schools or Local Authority doing it themselves. They are able to get a predicatable price and do not need to incur upfront capital expenditure making the proposition compelling in these new lean times. Essentially Redstor’s Schools Backup Service is a Shared Service which also addresses the need for the public sector to standardise on common platforms as opposed to each Authority creating new bespoke backup and storage solutions and encourages data centre rationalisation thus saving space and power.
Whilst Redstor’s Cloud Backup Service cut its teeth in the public sector, Redstor also addresses the commercial space through partners (130 in total) and also works directly with corporate end users with its online backup plus offering.
Redstor became synonymous with RBUSS - Redstor Backup Service for Schools which is underpinned by EMC SAN technology. Today, over 85 Local Authorities and service providers use this service to backup data addressing 14,000 schools in England & Wales. Right now we are focusing on delivering Storage as a Service underpinned by EMC ATMOS technology and to learn more about this then please follow this blog!
Established in 1998 Redstor’s has been an EMC partner since its inception and today its focus is data management and protection and cloud based services and solutions. The company’s commercial heritage spans the financial, technology, oil and gas markets. In 2005 Redstor turned its attention to the public sector in particular the education market.
The public sector is about to enter the greatest period of change since the end of the Second World War. Uncertainty is certain! The cupboards are bare. The age of austerity is among us. Whatever metaphor one chooses to use, the facts are daunting.
The UK is facing public sector debt north of £800 billion and this excludes the massive future pension liabilities. Budget cuts are expected to be at least 25% between 2010 and 2013. Becta is being shut down and merged with the ‘new’ Department for Education. The ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme has been stopped and the Autumn 2010 spending review is awaited with trepidation.
Add to this the immediate freeze in headcount, strict travel restrictions and imminent redundancies and it is clear that the next few years for the public sector will be tough.
Public Sector Repercussions:
Public sector technologies, and the teams that manage the technology infrastructure for the public sector, are predicted to be especially hard hit.
The situation public sector technology decision makers find themselves in is daunting. As cuts become increasingly widespread there are four central conclusions that can be drawn:
- Departments will delay hardware/software refreshes & upgrades
- Ageing IT kit will increase support overheads
- There will be greater stress on central IT teams
- Departments accustomed to existing levels of service will expect more for less
Going Green
As IT decision makers contemplate and plan for the next few years, the green agenda will continue to change the behaviours of these decision makers. The Carbon Reduction Efficiency Scheme (CRC) which started operating in April will put further pressure on technology decision makers. This is essential to reduce UK carbon emission gases by 80% before 2050 against a 1990 baseline and the public sector will have to comply.
Planning an ICT Strategy
Planning an effective ICT strategy has never been harder. The status quo is no longer an option and it is time to take a fresh approach towards ICT. The central issue technology decision makers must address is efficiency whilst maintaining and improving service to their internal and external customers.
Decision makers must specifically look at common infrastructures, standards and encourage the automation of mundane and repetitive tasks to focus attention on the customer experience. A single public sector network and the creation of the Government G-Cloud are seen as solutions that are gaining momentum within the public sector. The advantages of each are already well made arguments and address the central issue of efficiency within a cost effective framework based on pay-as-you-go, rather than upfront capital expenditure and benefiting from economies of scale.
Other issues gaining increased momentum include shared services, data centre rationalisation and common designs for desktop services.
As technology changes in the public sector take hold Redstor has been in the ,vanguard introducing cloud storage based technologies such as its online backup service which address key public sector challenges. For example its schools online backup service, which is underpinned by EMC SAN and VMware technology and sold through partners such as Local Authorities, addresses the fundamental issues faced by the public sector of cost and utilisation. By offering a cloud backup service to schools, Redstor through its economies of scale is able to offer a cheaper, greener service than the schools or Local Authority doing it themselves. They are able to get a predicatable price and do not need to incur upfront capital expenditure making the proposition compelling in these new lean times. Essentially Redstor’s Schools Backup Service is a Shared Service which also addresses the need for the public sector to standardise on common platforms as opposed to each Authority creating new bespoke backup and storage solutions and encourages data centre rationalisation thus saving space and power.
Whilst Redstor’s Cloud Backup Service cut its teeth in the public sector, Redstor also addresses the commercial space through partners (130 in total) and also works directly with corporate end users with its online backup plus offering.
Redstor became synonymous with RBUSS - Redstor Backup Service for Schools which is underpinned by EMC SAN technology. Today, over 85 Local Authorities and service providers use this service to backup data addressing 14,000 schools in England & Wales. Right now we are focusing on delivering Storage as a Service underpinned by EMC ATMOS technology and to learn more about this then please follow this blog!
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Redstor featured in Government Technology Magazine
Redstor have recently been featured in Government Technology magazine talking about how budget cuts will impact public sector departments and how they can cope in this age of austerity and change.
You can view the article online at - http://www.governmenttechnology.co.uk/content/view/2251/33/
Government Technology magazine is the business magazine for Government technology.
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Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
You can view the article online at - http://www.governmenttechnology.co.uk/content/view/2251/33/
Government Technology magazine is the business magazine for Government technology.
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Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Zurich Insurance fined £2.3m over customers' data loss
After our blog last week on the BBC losing laptops and mobile phones, it has been revealed that the UK operation of Zurich Insurance has been fined £2.27m by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) for losing personal details of 46,000 customers.
It is the highest fine levied on a single firm for data security failings.
The data on policyholders, including in some cases bank account and credit card information, went missing in August 2008.
However, Zurich did not become aware of the loss until a year later, when it then began notifying customers.
The information went missing during a routine transfer to a data storage centre in South Africa.
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Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
It is the highest fine levied on a single firm for data security failings.
The data on policyholders, including in some cases bank account and credit card information, went missing in August 2008.
However, Zurich did not become aware of the loss until a year later, when it then began notifying customers.
The information went missing during a routine transfer to a data storage centre in South Africa.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
Friday, 23 July 2010
The Demise of BSF
With the demise of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, this represents a big opportunity for Local Authorities and education service providers to really drive costs out of their IT support to schools.
Christian Nagele from CentraStage has written a special blog just on this subject. Click HERE to have a read.
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
Christian Nagele from CentraStage has written a special blog just on this subject. Click HERE to have a read.
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and education service providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 addressable schools in the UK.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Redstor Finalists for the Education Investor Awards 2010
We have some fantastic news that Redstor has made it as a finalist in the Education Investor Awards 2010 under the category ‘Supplier to the education sector’.
The Education Investor awards will celebrate innovation and excellence in the UK's education industry. In each category the judges will be looking for the organisations and individuals that have demonstrated these qualities over the last 12 months.
The awards will be judged by an independent panel of industry experts and presented at a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 16 November 2010.
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind Redstor Backup for schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and Education Service Providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 schools in the UK.
More details on the awards can be found HERE
The Education Investor awards will celebrate innovation and excellence in the UK's education industry. In each category the judges will be looking for the organisations and individuals that have demonstrated these qualities over the last 12 months.
The awards will be judged by an independent panel of industry experts and presented at a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 16 November 2010.
Redstor have been focused on data management and protection since 1998 and have created one of the largest service provider enabled storage infrastructures (storage clouds) in the UK. Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind Redstor Backup for schools (RBUSS). Over 80 Local Authorities and Education Service Providers use Redstor's online service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 schools in the UK.
More details on the awards can be found HERE
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Redstor launch new data encryption service for organisations!
Redstor, a leading managed services and IT solutions Provider, has announced the launch of its new storage management and security service - Redstor Protector. This unique ‘cloud’ service secures and protects confidential and sensitive information held on PC’s and laptops in the event of data loss or theft.
By combining policy-driven PC backup, at rest encryption, remote data deletion, port access control and device trace into a single product suite, Redstor Protector allows businesses and Public Bodies to secure, backup, delete and recover their data easily, anytime and from anywhere.
IDC estimates that at least 60% of important company data is stored on laptops and desktops with little or no protection, with less than 8% of users backing up their data on a daily basis. Redstor Protector gives organisations greater management and control of their data through a simple policy driven console and is the most comprehensive way to protect and recover PC and laptop data, at a cost effective price, the equivalent to just a few pence per day per device.
Stories of data loss or theft are becoming frequent features in the news, and businesses need to act now to protect their data. If an incident occurs where data is lost or stolen, Redstor Protector has a unique shredding function that can remotely delete data even if their device is offline, businesses can then rest assured that there is a recent backup of any files that were deleted stored offsite in a secure data centre.
Other key features that Redstor Protector offers include automated record keeping, and state of the art Award Winning encryption software, leaving data secured with 256-bit AES encryption by using randomly generated keys for maximum security and privacy. This software complies with the current laws and legislation for data protection, as well as Becta guidelines; making this product extremely popular with the Education Sector, through which Redstor provide services to over 75 LEA’s and 12,000 schools.
Protector represents a unique service proposition for IT service providers to offer their customers based around Redstor’s ‘cloud’ experience, technology infrastructure and marketing. This makes Redstor one of the most comprehensive and secure data protection and recovery solutions available today. This solution means Service Providers can offer this service with little or no Capex and can maintain a recurring revenue stream from customers paying a yearly fee.
Paul Evans, Managing Director of Redstor says, “Redstor Protector is a unique and complete data protection service, which is in line with our objectives of empowering our service partners with relevant services and solutions, which are repeatable and quick to get to market with little capital expenditure. We very much believe this is the right service for any individual or organisation in these new ‘data sensitive times’.”
About Redstor
Founded in 1998, Redstor is a Managed Services and IT Solutions Company focused around storage, data management and protection. Redstor has over 12 years of expertise in managing, supporting and monitoring data either on site, remotely or through its online storage and backup platform. The Redstor Online Backup service, launched in 2005 has over 10,000 servers, 9,000 PC's and over 200TB of customer data under its protection. Very few organisations can match Redstor's experience with Online Backup, Managed Services and overall storage experience acquired from supporting large customer environments since 1998.
Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the UK's leading Remote Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 75 Local Authorities and Service Providers use Redstor’s Online Service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 schools in the UK. Storage Management is Redstor's core expertise; it is acknowledged as being a market leader in Storage Management and Protection and has a proven track record of working with enterprise level customers in a number of market sectors including Finance, Technology, Media, Public Sector, Education and Oil and Gas.
By combining policy-driven PC backup, at rest encryption, remote data deletion, port access control and device trace into a single product suite, Redstor Protector allows businesses and Public Bodies to secure, backup, delete and recover their data easily, anytime and from anywhere.
IDC estimates that at least 60% of important company data is stored on laptops and desktops with little or no protection, with less than 8% of users backing up their data on a daily basis. Redstor Protector gives organisations greater management and control of their data through a simple policy driven console and is the most comprehensive way to protect and recover PC and laptop data, at a cost effective price, the equivalent to just a few pence per day per device.
Stories of data loss or theft are becoming frequent features in the news, and businesses need to act now to protect their data. If an incident occurs where data is lost or stolen, Redstor Protector has a unique shredding function that can remotely delete data even if their device is offline, businesses can then rest assured that there is a recent backup of any files that were deleted stored offsite in a secure data centre.
Other key features that Redstor Protector offers include automated record keeping, and state of the art Award Winning encryption software, leaving data secured with 256-bit AES encryption by using randomly generated keys for maximum security and privacy. This software complies with the current laws and legislation for data protection, as well as Becta guidelines; making this product extremely popular with the Education Sector, through which Redstor provide services to over 75 LEA’s and 12,000 schools.
Protector represents a unique service proposition for IT service providers to offer their customers based around Redstor’s ‘cloud’ experience, technology infrastructure and marketing. This makes Redstor one of the most comprehensive and secure data protection and recovery solutions available today. This solution means Service Providers can offer this service with little or no Capex and can maintain a recurring revenue stream from customers paying a yearly fee.
Paul Evans, Managing Director of Redstor says, “Redstor Protector is a unique and complete data protection service, which is in line with our objectives of empowering our service partners with relevant services and solutions, which are repeatable and quick to get to market with little capital expenditure. We very much believe this is the right service for any individual or organisation in these new ‘data sensitive times’.”
About Redstor
Founded in 1998, Redstor is a Managed Services and IT Solutions Company focused around storage, data management and protection. Redstor has over 12 years of expertise in managing, supporting and monitoring data either on site, remotely or through its online storage and backup platform. The Redstor Online Backup service, launched in 2005 has over 10,000 servers, 9,000 PC's and over 200TB of customer data under its protection. Very few organisations can match Redstor's experience with Online Backup, Managed Services and overall storage experience acquired from supporting large customer environments since 1998.
Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the UK's leading Remote Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 75 Local Authorities and Service Providers use Redstor’s Online Service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 schools in the UK. Storage Management is Redstor's core expertise; it is acknowledged as being a market leader in Storage Management and Protection and has a proven track record of working with enterprise level customers in a number of market sectors including Finance, Technology, Media, Public Sector, Education and Oil and Gas.
Redstor launch new data encryption service for education!
Redstor, a leading managed services and IT solutions company, has announced the launch of its new backup and security service, Redstor Protector. Specially designed for the Education market this unique service secures and protects confidential and sensitive information held on PC’s and laptops in the event of data loss or theft.
Redstor Protector provides the most comprehensive data protection and recovery solution for PC and laptop data. The solution complies and exceeds Data Protection Legislation and Becta Guidelines, which dictate that sensitive and confidential information, likely to cause damage or distress to individuals, should be protected.
Redstor Protector backs up device data from PC’s and laptops and saves the data automatically to an online backup account. This allows the recovery of data anytime from anywhere in the event of data loss - provided the device is connected to the Internet. If an incident occurs and data is lost or stolen, Redstor Protector has a unique shredding function that can remotely delete data even if the device is offline.
Additional features include state of the art award winning encryption software capable of securing data with 256-bit AES encryption by using randomly generated keys for maximum security and privacy. The software is extremely user friendly and easy to manage; it’s cost effective and will protect data at all times with minimum support levels.
The Redstor Protector solution will be sold through Local Authorities (LA’s)and Education Service Providers. Customers will be able to take advantage of the LA’s industry experience and knowledge as well as Redstor’s reputation and experience in providing reliable and relevant services at competitive prices, such as Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS) and CentraStage (remote device management), used by over 12,000 schools and 75 service providers throughout the UK.
Paul Evans, Managing Director of Redstor says, “Laptop and PC theft has become an increasingly important subject due to a number of high profile incidents. This has pushed data protection backup to the top of the agenda. Typically most backup problems and security breaches are down to human omissions, such as a lack of care and forgetfulness. Whilst there have been many point solutions dealing with backup, encryption and shred separately, to be totally secure you needed all aspects to be integrated in order to offer a simple, intuitive and secure solution. Redstor Protector offers total protection of your PC and Laptop data at an affordable price of just a few pence per day.”
About Redstor
Founded in 1998, Redstor is a Managed Services and IT Solutions Company focused around storage, data management and protection. Redstor has over 11 years of expertise in managing, supporting and monitoring data either on site, remotely or through its online storage and backup platform. The Redstor Online Backup service, launched in 2005 has over 200TB’s of customer data under its protection. Very few organisations can match Redstor's experience with Online Backup, Managed Services and overall storage experience acquired from supporting large customer environments since 1998.
Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the UK's leading Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 75 Local Authorities use Redstor’s Online Service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 schools in the UK. Storage Management is Redstor's core expertise; it is acknowledged as being a market leader and has a proven track record of working with enterprise level customers in a number of market sectors including Finance, Technology, Media, Public Sector, Education and Oil & Gas.
Redstor Protector provides the most comprehensive data protection and recovery solution for PC and laptop data. The solution complies and exceeds Data Protection Legislation and Becta Guidelines, which dictate that sensitive and confidential information, likely to cause damage or distress to individuals, should be protected.
Redstor Protector backs up device data from PC’s and laptops and saves the data automatically to an online backup account. This allows the recovery of data anytime from anywhere in the event of data loss - provided the device is connected to the Internet. If an incident occurs and data is lost or stolen, Redstor Protector has a unique shredding function that can remotely delete data even if the device is offline.
Additional features include state of the art award winning encryption software capable of securing data with 256-bit AES encryption by using randomly generated keys for maximum security and privacy. The software is extremely user friendly and easy to manage; it’s cost effective and will protect data at all times with minimum support levels.
The Redstor Protector solution will be sold through Local Authorities (LA’s)and Education Service Providers. Customers will be able to take advantage of the LA’s industry experience and knowledge as well as Redstor’s reputation and experience in providing reliable and relevant services at competitive prices, such as Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS) and CentraStage (remote device management), used by over 12,000 schools and 75 service providers throughout the UK.
Paul Evans, Managing Director of Redstor says, “Laptop and PC theft has become an increasingly important subject due to a number of high profile incidents. This has pushed data protection backup to the top of the agenda. Typically most backup problems and security breaches are down to human omissions, such as a lack of care and forgetfulness. Whilst there have been many point solutions dealing with backup, encryption and shred separately, to be totally secure you needed all aspects to be integrated in order to offer a simple, intuitive and secure solution. Redstor Protector offers total protection of your PC and Laptop data at an affordable price of just a few pence per day.”
About Redstor
Founded in 1998, Redstor is a Managed Services and IT Solutions Company focused around storage, data management and protection. Redstor has over 11 years of expertise in managing, supporting and monitoring data either on site, remotely or through its online storage and backup platform. The Redstor Online Backup service, launched in 2005 has over 200TB’s of customer data under its protection. Very few organisations can match Redstor's experience with Online Backup, Managed Services and overall storage experience acquired from supporting large customer environments since 1998.
Redstor Online Backup is re-branded by numerous well known service organisations and is the engine behind the UK's leading Redstor Backup Service for Schools (RBUSS). Over 75 Local Authorities use Redstor’s Online Service to backup and restore the data of over 12,000 schools in the UK. Storage Management is Redstor's core expertise; it is acknowledged as being a market leader and has a proven track record of working with enterprise level customers in a number of market sectors including Finance, Technology, Media, Public Sector, Education and Oil & Gas.
Friday, 9 October 2009
‘Working with the Public Sector to Save Time, Money and Enhance Service with Backup and Device Management Solutions’
Paul Evans - Founder and MD of Redstor
During the last 3 party conferences we have heard much talk about how each political party is proposing to deliver cost reductions in the public sector whilst still seeming to want to preserve and enhance front line services.This has always been the dilemma at the heart of all decision making in government and one which will be more acute in these new austere times.
There have been various government initiatives looking to achieve efficiencies in the delivery of services, notably the Gershon Review of Public Sector Efficiency which was published in July 2004. The Objective of the Review was focused on the government objective of ‘releasing major resources out of activities which could be undertaken more efficiently into front line services that meet the public’s highest priorities’. In short, how can government drive efficiency savings across public sector expenditure?
The main ways Local Authorities seem to be addressing Gershon targets are through budget savings, streamlining business processes, reducing headcount and a combination of IT and shared services.
At Redstor, over the last 4 and half years we have been successfully partnering with Local Authorities to address these very issues by helping them deliver enhanced cost effective services through innovative solutions delivering real value to the UK tax payer.
For instance Redstor’s Remote Backup Service For Schools (RBUSS) is a ‘shared service’ which is now used by over 70 Local Authorities and approximately 12,000 schools in England and Wales.
This service has raised service levels to the schools by increasing the security and availability of schools data. Lost files and information can now be recovered by the schools or Local Authority instantly at a click of a button without having to find the correct tape. School administrators no longer have to manage inefficient tape backup regimes and worry about having to take tapes offsite for disaster recovery purposes.
From the local authority point of view with RBUSS, ICT teams are fielding in some instances up to 30% less support calls in relation to backups with the consequent saving of time and money.
In one authority, one administrator is able to spend just 30 minutes a day managing the backups of 600 schools. This means that team members can be freed up from mundane tasks to focus on other priorities.
Local Authorities are saving money by leveraging the economies of scale delivered by the Redstor backup platform without losing actual control of the delivery of the backup service.
Using the Redstor Backup Platform, Local Authorities can offer a backup service to schools which is cheaper than the cost of a traditional tape based solution and which is cheaper than the cost of trying to build, manage and maintain their own platform.
Finally, the pooling of knowledge and best practice through Local Authority participation in the Redstor forums acts as a catalyst to challenge the participants to offer new services in an efficient and simple way.
Centrastage is another solution Redstor has brought to the public sector market which very much facilitates and underpins cost effective service delivery.
Centrastage is a software platform which provides device management enabling senior managers from the CEO and FD to the ICT service delivery arm to have visibility and control of the ICT estate thereby enabling efficient management.
- It facilitates the streamlining of Business and IT processes through the automation of mundane IT tasks such as patch management
- One person can manage thousands of PC's and servers by exception thereby freeing up front line headcount to concentrate on core activities
- It ensures improved availability and longevity of IT assets through consistent monitoring and proactive housekeeping
- Through its asset management capability, money can be saved by better software licence management
- It puts the public sector back in control with software vendors as software can be uninstalled and new vendor software deployed across thousands of devices at the touch of a button
- It can be run as a 'shared service' and hosted either within Government or in the 'cloud'
- Through the CentraStage user forum, Authorities are collaborating and sharing their ideas and ways of working to ensure they offer more efficient as well as new and better ICT services
- Being a customer driven shared service and benefiting from feedback in the forums, CentraStage can apply this pooled knowledge to drive down the cost of the solution and make managing every device affordable to the public sector
A demonstration of how Centrastage can save time and money can be seen in the forthcoming SQL2005 to SQL2008 upgrade which Local Authorities must carry out in many schools.
Using Centrastage, authorities have shown they can save 2-2.5 hours per primary school of administrator’s time in the upgrade process.
Assuming 90% of the 22,000 UK Primary Schools need to do the upgrade this would equate to a massive potential 49,500 hours of time saved equivalent to 27 administrators working full time for a year at a total cost of £648,000.*
This is just one tiny example of how using Centrastage can achieve Gershon objectives quickly at little cost and can help the public sector achieve on Business Transformation projects.
I will be talking more in my next blog about how Centrastage and the RBUSS service can help the public sector achieve the ‘Greening of Government ICT’ and its SOGE Targets (current Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate).
*This has assumed a 35 hour week and an average salary of £20,000 per annum plus an additional 20% levy in relation to national insurance contributions and other employment costs such as space, expenses and IT etc.
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