Dear
Reader,
Greetings. Today,
every business
is heavily dependent
on Information
Technology-related
infrastructure.
For a business
establishment,
a business continuity
plan is as essential
as maintaining
its product
line or carrying
on with its
other regular
commercial activities.
Potential risks
and threats
to business
need to be considered
right at the
initial stage
and preventive
as well as pre-emptive
measures initiated.
We are all aware
that next month
(September 11)
marks the sixth
anniversary
of the terrorist
strikes on the
twin towers
of the World
Trade Centre
in New York
and other targets
in the United
States. This
will be a perpetual
reminder to
the world that
unforeseen calamities,
both man-made
and natural,
can occur without
giving any notice
and that every
business needs
to have a continuity
management plan.
Naturally, IT
managers are
keener than
before about
securing their
critical data
and infrastructure.
No doubt that
concepts of
disaster recovery
(DR) have been
in practice
but business
continuity as
a corporate
priority has
assumed significance
today. The current
issue of Outsourcing
highlights the
various aspects
of business
continuity.
In the cover
story, Priti
Sikdar discusses
the importance
of managing
business continuity
and writes about
the new BS 25999
Code of Practice
which helps
minimize disruptions
and improves
the ability
to cope with
major threats
to business
operations.
The issue carries
some case studies
which reflect
the adequacy
of preparedness
or lack of it
in the face
of grave disaster
threats and
the lessons
learnt from
such experiences.
These include,
the London tube
train blasts,
a Japanese earthquake,
a Canadian electric
power grid outage
and the impact
of a SARS outbreak
in Canada. Pankaj
Roy argues that
employee retention
is as vital
a feature as
products in
a business enterprise
to ensure business
continuity.
Hannover Fairs
have always
provided a popular
platform for
Indian businesses.
Hannover Fairs
India Pvt Ltd,
has now launched
operations out
of Mumbai to
further promote
the Indian economy
and its enormous
success in recent
years. We carry
a report. Khushroo
Panthaky argues
about the critical
necessity of
sourcing governance.
As more and
more Indian
companies have
started joint
BPO ventures
in the United
States, they
keep attracting
the attention
of tax and vigilance
authorities
of that country
in the matter.
Lloyd Pinto
of Grant Thornton
gives a clear
picture of the
guidelines to
be followed
by the Indian
companies doing
offshoring business
in the US. India's
Satyam computers
has bagged a
prestigious
contract from
the Federation
of International
Football Associations
(FIFA) to lend
Information
Technology support
to its grand
events. The
issue as usual
carries BPO
and other ITES-related
news as well
as the regular
features.
Wish you happy
reading
Satya
Swaroop
Managing Editor
satya@newmediacomm.biz
