Redundancy is a buzzword in today’s technology-enabled landscape. Companies insert it into discussions all the time when describing their operations. However, many fall short in achieving true operational redundancy.
So, what does it mean for a transactional print and mail company? Let’s discuss!
What Is Operational Redundancy?
Simply put, it’s the deliberate duplication of critical systems, processes, and people to ensure business continuity. Many different things can result in downtime, from natural disasters to power outages to cyber attacks.
Operational redundancy is a business strategy that creates backups in a myriad of ways to avert a complete failure.
What’s the Purpose of Redundancy in Operations?
The purpose of the plan is to support business continuity. It specifies the various foundations that must be in place to maintain operations should any type of disruption occur. Even a few minutes of downtime can lead to significant issues. That’s especially true for transactional communications, which are highly regulated.
How Do Companies Achieve Redundancy?
The path toward redundancy includes many areas to ensure consistent, seamless operations, including:
- Multiple sites with the same capabilities, so if one goes down, the other can pick up immediately
- Cross-trained operators to step in should a worker be unable to continue
- Data backups using a secure, private cloud
- A blade center, ensuring additional components for power, network, storage, and management
- Infrastructure support (e.g., diesel backup generators, battery backup systems)
Why Is a Secure, Private Cloud So Important to Redundancy?
Basically, every business leverages the cloud. It’s more secure and less costly than on-site servers. However, not every cloud is the same. The big difference in public vs. private clouds is that the former requires you to “share space” with others.
A private cloud only belongs to the organization, and all its sites can connect to one central area for data that uses encryption, firewalls, and other security protocols.
How Does Standardization Impact Redundancy?
For any organization to achieve operational redundancy, process and equipment standardization must be in place. You can’t switch to other production facilities if workflows are not the same and equipment varies.
This is vital for transactional print and mail that requires sophisticated workflows and machinery. For the process part,the best companies rely on Lean Manufacturing standard works that ensure standardized operations. By using this framework, there’s also constant auditing to identify any deviations and correct them.
The equipment aspect would mean that both locations use the same types of printers and inserters. These components strengthen accuracy, which is essential in producing transactional communications.
How Do Geographically Diverse Locations Support Redundancy?
One of the crucial aspects of redundancy is a duplicate facility. Where it sits is important. Ideally, they’d be in two different parts of the country, as weather events, power grid outages, or other incidents are local in nature.
In addition to ensuring work can seamlessly transition, having redundant locations supports load balancing when additional capacity is necessary.
Why Are Cold Sites a Risk?
Many production facilities answer the request for redundancy with “cold sites.” The problem is that there’s no instant handoff should a disaster strike. Because of this, there’s a lag, which can jeopardize compliance, as you could quickly get behind.
Since these locations are producing the work for the first time, it increases the likelihood of errors or mis-mailings.
They also tend to be more costly. Overall, it’s not a real solution for redundancy.
Is Your Transactional Print and Mail Partner Truly Redundant?
Redundancy covers many aspects of operations. If there’s even one gap, there’s risk. Our operations follow the most advanced attributes of redundancy. Our two locations are mirrors, we employ Lean Manufacturing, and we use a secure, private cloud.
If your provider is falling short, let’s talk. Contact our team today.
