Volume 6, Issue 2
April 2007

In this issue:
What is your plan for recovering from fire, theft, or natural disaster?

Tough nut to crack

As we swing into spring in much of North America, you know that customers rely on you to be up and running when they need you most—even when hazardous weather swoops in to devastate an entire community. But isn’t your business just as vulnerable when disaster scurries in on tiny animal feet?

Tim St. John, head of IT at Cobbs, Allen & Hall, arrived at the Birmingham, Alabama, agency one morning last fall to find the agency and the entire community paralyzed because a squirrel was stuck in an electrical transformer. The furry hazard had knocked out power and started a fire in the transformer, which sparked a palm tree very close to the agency. The flames were extinguished before they reached the building, but the agency was down for more than three hours because of the power outage. Agency staff thought a back-up generator would keep the business running, but the generator hose sprung a hole and was inoperable. Agency business stood still while emergency workers labored to restore power to the community.

Strategic Services staff members from Applied Systems happened to be visiting Cobbs, Allen & Hall that day. They saw firsthand how an agency grinds to a stop when a calamity occurs.

Return to headlines

What can you do?

Applied Systems offers two services that allow you to access your data and service your customers when disaster strikes:

• If your LAN TAM or Vision is affected, our Disaster Recovery Service (DRS) provides access to your data within 48 hours of Applied Systems receiving your data backup. Your business has temporary web-based access to selected software from Applied Systems and Microsoft until your LAN setup is restored. DRS is now even better with lower pricing and enhanced service: If disaster strikes and you need the DRS, you pay no online access fees for the first 60 days that you use the service.

• A web-based agency management system has fast become the disaster recovery plan for many Applied Systems customers. When you migrate from LAN TAM or Vision to TAMOnline or VisionOnline, your data is stored and maintained at a secure state-of-the-art data center, making it accessible to you anytime from anywhere with an Internet connection. Even if your agency is incapacitated, you can still conduct business with AppliedOnline.

For information and pricing on Applied Systems’ Disaster Recovery Service or AppliedOnline, please contact Client Solutions at [email protected] or 800-999-5368 (US.) or 800-387-2028.

Return to headlines

How AppliedOnline kept these agents operating

Click on these links for agents’ firsthand accounts of AppliedOnline’s impact on their livelihood and their customers’ lives. For information on migrating from a LAN system to AppliedOnline, email [email protected].

TAMOnline Success Stories
Florida agency’s hurricane experience prompts move to TAMOnline
New Orleans agency calls AppliedOnline “Saving grace” since hurricane

Please note: All discounts offered in previous newsletters are now expired.

Return to headlines

Stay tuned for disaster recovery webinars

Watch for an email soon announcing an exciting new Applied Systems webinar series on disaster recovery. Dates and sign-up information will be included. Be prepared to learn valuable information on how to prevent putting your business at risk and your customer service in jeopardy.

Return to headlines

How to get back to business ASAP

A disaster strikes after business hours. Because you run your business with AppliedOnline, you know that once you get to a location with an Internet connection, you can conduct business as usual. The one thing you need is AppliedOnline Client is loaded on the workstation you’re using.

If it’s not loaded, here’s the simple procedure for resuming operations:

1. Get to an unaffected workstation with Internet accessibility.
2. Download the appropriate install by visiting the AppliedOnline website, http://www.appliedonline.net/tcmaint.htm. Click on Documents and Downloads to find the software you need.

When the download is complete, you’re back in business. It’s that simple.

If a disaster occurs during business hours, please call Support at 800-999-6512 ( U.S.) or 800-617-4666 ( Canada).

Return to headlines

Need hardware? Buy from these sites at Applied Systems preferred prices

In a positive move to provide you with the best value possible, Applied Systems is taking hardware sales to the Internet. Beginning April 1, we will make it possible for all Applied Systems customers to purchase hardware directly from exclusive websites listing equipment that meets our hardware guidelines.

As our customer, you will be able to purchase equipment at the Applied Systems preferred rate, which reflects substantial savings over previous prices. Please note that Applied Systems continues to offer installation services for equipment purchased from these websites.

• For hardware recommendations, please consult our hardware guidelines at: http://www.appliedsystems.com/Support/menus/configurations.htm.

• For assistance, contact your Applied Systems Client Solutions representative at [email protected]. Also, your own IT staff and a trusted local technician are good resources.

• To purchase hardware, please visit these websites for the exclusive use of Applied Systems customers:

U.S. Customers
CDW - http://cdw.com/appliedsystems
Dell - http://dell.com/appliedsystems

Canada Customers
CDW - http://cdw.ca/appliedsystems
Dell - To receive hardware product information, please email Michelle Irvine, Dell account representative, at [email protected] . Identify yourself as an Applied Systems Canada customer and request that an account be created for you.

Return to headlines

Visit ASCnet's website

It’s time to start planning for 2007 TENCon, this year’s Technology, Education & Networking Conference sponsored annually by ASCnet, the independent, international user group of Applied Systems products and services. This year’s event takes place in Orlando, Florida, at Disneyworld, “the happiest place on earth.” Reservations are already being accepted at the host hotel, Disney’s Coronado Springs. Visit www.ascnet.org to stay up-to-date on TENCon and all of ASCnet’s education, networking, and advocacy initiatives.

Return to headlines

 Applied Systems on the road

Our representatives look forward to meeting you at industry events. To find out where we will be in upcoming months, click here. If you would like information on Applied Systems products or services prior to an event, please email your request to [email protected].

Return to headlines

New users expand Applied Systems global community

A warm welcome to the following agencies and brokerages that are in the process of implementing Applied Systems technology and services:
 

Return to headlines

Applied Systems, Inc.

200 Applied Pkwy., University Park, IL 60466
800-999-5368 Sales  ·  800-999-6512 Support
www.appliedsystems.com

Applied Systems Canada, Inc.

201 Watline Ave., Mississauga ON L4Z1P3
800-387-2028 Sales  ·  800-617-4666 Support
www.appliedsystems.com