IBM, Citrix release virtual workplace continuity

Continuity Central reports that IBM in partnership with Citrix will release "Virtual Workplace Continuity", a product that will provide dispersed workers with the ability to connect to applications, data and people during a disaster or a disruptive event.

Virtual Workplace Continuity helps clients focus on the human side of business continuity. It ensures employees can still remain productive when they cannot get to the workplace.

The US financial services industry has reported that the industry-wide business continuity planning test which was conducted in mid-October was "a success".

Continuity Central reports the test demonstrated and verified the capacity of firms, markets and utilities to continue functioning and communicating during an emergency by using backup sites, recovery facilities and backup communications across the industry.

An intelligent flood monitoring system that could give advance warning against flash flood is under test in the Yorkshire Dales. Academics from Lancaster University won an award for their paper describing the system at the UK e-Science All Hands Meeting in Nottingham in September, reports Continuity Central.

The system, which makes use of grid computing, could reduce the cost of flood damage by providing warnings of local flooding in time for businesses and local authorities to take pre-emptive action.