International Healthcare Distributors (IHD) is scrutinising its business systems and processes to ensure the company is prepared for any disaster, any time.
The pharmaceutical distributor has employed the services of JSE Securities Exchange-listed MGX on a three-month contract to compile and implement business continuity plans to cover the company`s IT systems and mission-critical processes in the event of a disaster. The process was initiated by an "Achilles report" that determined the risks of a disruption of critical processes and the consequent impact on business functionality. Every division and department will be examined, and only once the full matrix structure is covered, can the disaster recovery points, action plans and processes be identified.
"Following a risk and business impact analysis conducted earlier in the year to determine IHD`s mission-critical systems and risk exposure, we made recommendations on how to eliminate that risk," says Anthony Askew, account manager, Business Continuity Solutions at MGX. "The business continuity plan will document how processes will function while the IT systems are being recovered and how the IT applications will be brought up to date once recovered."
In line with good corporate governance, business continuity planning is recognised as a critical success factor for any organisation with a responsibility to its shareholders. IHD operations executive Stuart Murray identifies two main direct business benefits to implementing the procedure.
"As the distribution company for a number of multi-national manufacturers, we need to be able to reassure them that the best systems are in place - even in the event of a disaster. The manufacturers can have the best products - but if we cannot get these out to the marketplace it would seriously impact on their business. Furthermore, as we are distributing lifesaving products we have a responsibility to do all we can to ensure uninterrupted supply. Our main drive behind this project is to ensure continuity of our operation in the event of a disaster."
Murray notes the tendency to confuse business continuity with business resilience. "Many companies believe that by having one computer simply mirroring another, they are equipped for disaster recovery and business continuity. Instead it is merely business resilience. They need to look closer into their business processes, and map the vulnerable areas of each department within the company precisely in a carefully structured business continuity plan."
On successful completion of the implementation and testing, IHD will have in place business continuity plans, and to a large degree, risk management as stipulated by the King Commission.
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MGX is a JSE Securities Exchange-listed, new economy company that represents world-class products and services and delivers measurable business outcomes for customers across business-critical areas of the information economy. Recognising that the strategic value of a company lies in its information, the company`s focus is on information-rich business solutions that transform each client`s unique business information into competitive advantage. MGX comprises six business value domains: MGX Enterprise Solutions, MGX Storage Solutions, MGX Consulting, Software Futures, MGX Business Continuity Solutions and MGX Content Management.
With strong operational and strategic synergies, the business units create and implement solutions for business users across all sectors and industries. MGX has operations in SA, Botswana, Australia, the UK and the US. During its five-year history as a listed company it has delivered consistent growth to shareholders. For more information on the company, visit www.mgxgroup.com
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