SafeGuard iT, a joint venture between the AST Group and US-based SunGard, has been awarded the contract to provide the Protector Group with full business continuity services for a period of five years.
SafeGuard iT will provide the Protector Group with a comprehensive disaster recovery management package for its HP and Intel environments. The business-approach solution was custom designed for the Protector Group, proving SafeGuard iT`s commitment to back up services for even the most demanding and complex corporate environments.
The Protector Group, 65% owned by Glenrand MIB, was established in 2001 with the acquisition of business units from the Vaalmed and Kopano medical schemes. The group administers more than 40 000 principal members, delivering a comprehensive healthcare service to its members.
Marc Seelenbinder, Group Financial Director of Protector Group, indicates that over the past 12 months Protector Group has invested in excess of R15 million in mission-critical information technology.
Fully integrated state-of-the-art hospital, pharmacy and sundry services systems are linked via switching technology to systems supporting the administration of the medical schemes under management by Protector Group, resulting in over 70% of all claims being processed electronically.
This seamless integrated approach requires continuous availability of information technology to our members, patients and service providers, similar to the banking sector. Hence it was important for Protector Group to choose a disaster recovery partner with excellent resources being able and willing to provide a professional, client-oriented and affordable solution. After careful consideration the company chose SafeGuard iT.
"Our partnership with SafeGuard iT supports our endeavour to continuously strive for best risk management practices and procedures as required in terms of published corporate governance guidelines," says Seelenbinder.
"Business continuity is vital for any organisation in today`s competitive environment, especially when customer service is an essential part of an organisation`s competitive-edge," explains Bernard Vertenten, GM of SafeGuard iT. "SafeGuard iT has the proven experience and expertise and has unrivalled business continuity resources to ensure that we have the right contingency measures in place to safeguard Protector Group against any unforeseen events."
The services to Protector Group will be delivered from SafeGuard`s High-Availability Computer Facility (HACF) in Randburg, a bunker facility equipped with computer hardware, communications infrastructure and high-specification office workplace positions. As with all of SafeGuard iT`s recovery centres, each purpose-built suite contains up-to-date technology, with dual mains power feeds, UPS, stand-by generators and dual Telkom feeds, to ensure a fail-safe power and communications supply in blast-proof buildings.
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