Data and voice networking communications solutions provider Qwest
Communications announced enhancements to its business continuity/disaster
recovery portfolio with the launch of Real-Time Application Recovery. The
cloud-based service is designed to keep business operations running
uninterrupted in the event of a system failure and is aimed at small to
medium-size businesses with limited IT budgets.
By partnering with Geminare, a specialist in the recovery-as-a-service (RaaS)
market, this hosted cloud-based solution protects applications including e-mail
and databases, with no onsite hardware requirements by being fully managed
hosted in a Qwest CyberCenter. Should a server or network disruption occur,
customers using Real-Time Application Recovery have instant, secure access to
their e-mail, file and database server content regardless of whether they are
working from a remote location or company headquarters. The solution is fully
automated, a company release noted.
Jim Davis, a senior analyst with Tier 1 Research's networks and media division,
said reliability and downtime aren't just concerns of the CIO—they
are key concerns for owners of small and medium-sized business as well, but
smaller firms haven't been able to afford enterprise-grade disaster recovery
and business continuity services.
"Tier 1 Research estimates that the cloud infrastructure market will grow
from $500M in 2009 to $4B by 2013, with cloud storage representing 43 percent
of that total," Davis said. "Part
of the reason for this rapid growth is that cloud computing enables businesses
of all sizes to access innovative offerings such as cloud recovery services,
which solve core disaster recovery and business continuity challenges for the
SMB market."
Geminare CEO Joshua Geist said Qwest is
ahead of the curve in its cloud computing offerings, making the company a
market leader and a perfect partner to capitalize on the multibillion-dollar
RaaS opportunity. "Qwest's commitment and attention to every aspect of its
managed services business is impeccable, and its extensive market reach will
ensure that companies are exposed to our game-changing RaaS technology,"
he said. "We are delighted to be associated with such a reputable company."
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Cloud Computing 
