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The Claritum Business Continuity Solution is a system designed to provide a Claritum Customer with continuity of service in the event that Claritum ceases trading.
This document aims to describe the functionality of the various solution levels.
Overview
The Claritum Business Continuity Solution offers three two levels of protection depending on client requirements.
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2. Claritum Continuity Level 2
A mid-level solution that provides bi-weekly deposits of code and data via the NCC's ESCROW service plus pre-configured web-server images for easier re-commissioning of hosting infrastructure.
3. Claritum Continuity Level 3
The complete continuity solution providing a live 'mirror' of the Claritum System and allowing for simple and immediate 'switchover' with no provisioning of additional hardware or software.
Comparison of Continuity Level Features
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| Level 1 | Level 2 |
| Annual code ESCROW |
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| Weekly code ESCROW |
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| Weekly Data |
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| 'Live' code, data and datafiles* |
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| Server already provisioned |
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| Server already configured |
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| Claritum System Software already installed |
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| Database + data files installed |
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| Quarterly validation of continuity service |
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| No changes to user login |
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| Immediate recovery** |
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| No IT expertise required |
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* Database data is mirrored in real-time but code and datafiles are synchronised nightly.
** Subject to the speed of the internet DNS updates around the world. Some users will experience immediate change whilst others may take up to 24 hours.
Claritum Continuity Level 1
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Each year, Claritum make a deposit with the NCC of the Claritum System Code at that point in time. No data is part of the deposit.
Continuity 'Hand Over'
In the event of Claritum ceasing to exist, the code is released to the client who is then entitled to install the software on their own servers and continue the service themselves.
The client would have their own (or access to) IT expertise in installing such systems (i.e. configuring web hosting servers, operating systems and web server software as well as the Claritum System Software itself) and would have made their own provisions for continuity of their data.
Claritum Continuity Level 2
The mid-tier solution uses the NCC's ESCROW service for deposits of system code, data and files plus a pre-configured server 'image'.
Weekly Backups
Every week, a copy of the Claritum System code, database and data files are deposited automatically with the NCC.
Replacement Server Provisioning
To speed up and simplify the process of provisioning the hosting environment needed in the event of Claritum ceasing to exist, a copy of the hosting server 'image' would also be deposited.
Continuity 'Handover'
In the event of Claritum ceasing to exist, the NCC would release the deposits they hold of the system code, data and files together with the hosting server 'image' to the client.
The client would have their own (or access) IT expertise to install the image on suitable hardware (removing the need to configure the operating system and web server software) and the database data, data files and Claritum System software files.
Validation
Every quarter, Claritum perform a series of standard tests to validate the continued relevance of the continuity solution. This includes provisioning a server with the deposited server image and applying the deposited code, database and datafiles and verifying that the resulting server runs as expected.
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IMPORTANT: ESCROW provides a basic level of business continuity, however, clients should be aware of its limitations. Under an ESCROW agreement, Claritum lodge source code and/or data with a 3rd party ESCROW provider on an agreed basis e.g. monthly, quarterly or annually. The ESCROW securely stores the code and usually provides optional additional services such as code verification and enhanced security. In a Business Continuity event (e.g. Claritum ceases trading), the ESCROW provider releases the code and/or data to the Client.
It is the Client’s responsibility to provide suitable hardware, operating systems and infrastructure to set up and run the Claritum environment. For most businesses, this will result in considerable additional down-time, hosting costs and the requirement for suitably qualified resources to manage the environment. We therefore, no longer recommend ESCROW as a viable business continuity solution.
Claritum have partnered with NCC to provide ESCROW services to clients.
Claritum Continuity Level 2
This is the complete Continuity Solution and is essentially a web server containing a 'live' backup of all software and data on the Claritum System and hosted by an independent 3rd-party on a different network to that of the Claritum System. This is referred to as the 'Continuity Server'
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The Continuity Server is hosted by an independent hosting provider and the billing arrangement would be between the provider and the client directly. This ensures complete continuity of hosting in the event of Claritum ceasing to exist.Claritum's recommended partner for this is OpSource.
Setup
The initial setup and configuration of the Business Continuity Server is performed by Claritum and subject to a one-time setup fee.
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Validation and Maintenance
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- Review of current resource utilisation on the Continuity Server.
- Testing the 'switch over' to running the Continuity Server as a replacement to the Claritum System
- Testing the switch back to 'standby' mode.
- Review of the Continuity Server system logs to identify potential problems.
Continuity 'Handover'
- Client is notified that Claritum has ceased trading.
- Claritum System stops running.
- Client notifies the hosting provider asking them to re-point the 'system.clientname.com' address to the Continuity Server.
- Service resumes as normal.
- Client contacts the 3rd-party holding the Continuity Server 'keys'.
- For some users, it may take 24 hours for the re-pointing of the address to take effect.
Documentation
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
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Licensing
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