>
> I am working with our IT department in locating off-site storage for 
> our
> computer back-up tapes.  Is there any standard of what is a minimum
> recommended distance?  We are looking at a facility that is
> approximately 3 miles from our campus and are wondering if this is far
> enough.  We are currently storing them in a maintenance building next 
> to
> our office, so just about any real distance would be better than what 
> we
> have now!  Thank you for your input.
>
>
> Paula Sutton
>
> Records and Scanning Specialist/Archivist
> Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
> 220 Water Avenue
> Berthoud, CO  80513
> (970) 622-2289  fax (970) 532-0942


Now this is proof that "Bus Man's Holiday Hugh"  policy of visiting 
records centers all over the country is of value.  Whenever I do an 
ARMA speech I ask to tour some of the great centers in that town.  For 
example in my recent speech in Omaha I was able to tour Union Pacific's 
Records Management Department & Museum with Joanna Blackburn and in her 
previous position I was able to tour Mutual Of Omaha. ( Plus tour the 
Nebraska State Records Center.)  Plus see the great facility Benson 
Records Management has.

I highly recommend that RM's tour other's facilities because you are 
rewarded with massive amounts of good information.  Note to Listserv:  
The new Las Vegas Records Center developed by Sharon Kuhns, a records 
manager on our own List, is an amazing center to visit. Aesthetically 
pleasing to the eye and remarkably efficient. But I digress..........

I have toured or been involved with several projects in your area. So I 
will be specific rather than generic because I know the area.

Berthoud at the foot of the Rockies is an area where snow storms can 
cut off roadway travel for periods of time and close proximity can be a 
real asset.  The offsite storage company you are probably looking at is 
Northern Colorado Data Storage and they have a beautiful facility.  It 
caters only to data so they are specialists.  In fact, its' founders 
are all IT Managers from the surrounding high tech corporations so they 
know what they are doing.  They have all the bells and whistles.  
Precise environmental control, proprietary clean agent fire 
suppression, magnetically shielded chambers, interior location of the 
vault to guard against tornadoes, 300 pound live load ceiling to 
prevent snow storm collapse, inteiro loading bays for bad weather 
conditions and their vault is Class 125 Media Rated and Listed as such.

So Paula, it would be nice if they were ten miles further down the road 
but storing as far away as Denver would pose more risks due to the 
travel issue. Both you and the offsite storage company are surrounded 
by miles of open space.  No urban risks.  No earthquake issues, no 
hurricane threats and no flooding issues.  Regional power loss could be 
a problem but I believe your potential vendor has a generator so this 
is not an issue for them.

So what you need.......... a vendor who protects your media in a 
superlative environment exists nearby where travel is not an issue.  
Selecting a less technically enhanced vendor 45 miles away for the mere 
sake of distance is not warranted in your geographic area. While a 
company in a flood prone area such as New Orleans, or hurricane area 
like Florida, or earthquake area like LA or SF would be foolish to pick 
a vendor in the same area.

You're not in an avalanche area are you?  Or an area filled with raving 
Denver Bronco fans.  (They can be dangerous after their play off loss 
to Pittsburgh and cut a wide swath of inebriated behavior in the 
Rockies.  I only know of this second hand. )

Choosing a vendor who values your business as a premier account and 
offers a facility that your auditors will drool over will out-weigh the 
distance factor and when the snow closes the road to Denver for hours 
on end you will look like a genius. As well as every time your back up  
rotations show up right on time with the right tapes.  Plus, the fact 
that your agency could be considered a Homeland Security issue, the 
more secure vendor is the best option.  Protecting the Colorado

How far is far enough?  My wife says if I am out of the state that 
works for her?  Peter Kurilecz says if I stay out of Virginia that that 
is far enough.  Now let's all sing together John Denvers famous "Rockie 
Mountain High, Coloradooooooooh............"  ( That's for Chris Flynn 
who always enjoys a good song about the cold. BRRRRRRR!


Hugh Smith
FIRELOCK Fireproof Modular Vaults
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(610)  756-4440    Fax (610)  756-4134
WWW.FIRELOCK.COM

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