D&H Distributing Launches Disaster Recovery Initiative Including Solutions, Training And Materials

Factors Such as the Microsoft Server 2003 Support Deadline Lead the Distributor to Launch a Campaign Around BDR Solutions, Starting with a 7/31 Live Solutions Lab Webcast

D&H Distributing, the leading North American computer products and consumer electronics distributor, is enhancing its resources for resellers in the area of backup and disaster recovery (BDR) involving products such as storage devices, virus protection, automatic backup solutions, power supply units—and especially SMB server solutions, which can create a robust and redundant infrastructure to store and share critical network data. In addition to offering cutting-edge technologies, D&H has implemented training opportunities and materials to help resellers comprehend and communicate the importance of disaster recovery to small business end-customers.

These resources include a live, interactive Solutions Lab webcast, “Disaster Preparedness - Before, During and After It All Comes Down,” scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET on July 31. D&H has added a new Partner Services marketing brochure template to its library, “Disruption is Not An Option,” which includes tips on how end-companies can enact effective disaster recovery policies. And the distributor’s June 26 Summer Mid-Atlantic Technology Show debuted a Disaster Management booth, staffed by its Solutions Specialist team. This exhibit spotlighted products from APC, Carbonite, Cisco, Crucial, CyberPower, Etón, HP, Intel, Lenovo, McAfee, Microsoft, Minuteman, Synology, Tripp Lite and Western Digital.

Reports show that less than half of all small businesses have a data recovery plan in place, despite the fact that survival in the face of a disruptive event is estimated at less than 10 percent without such precautions. “Every business should have a robust, up-to-date server architecture,” said Jeff Davis, senior vice president of sales at D&H. “And they should most certainly have efficient data backup. It’s shocking how many business owners remain under-protected for the sake of avoiding an initial expenditure on BDR products, when their whole livelihoods could depend on it.”

Similar to the Windows XP support cut-off that elapsed in April spring, Microsoft is ending support of its popular Server 2003 solutions in July of 2015. Without further intervention from the manufacturer, those networks could be vulnerable to compromise due to misfortunes ranging from flood damage and power outages to full-scale natural disasters.

D&H has seen notable success providing the Windows Server 2012/212 R2 solutions for SMB environments as an alternative to Server 2003. The upgraded Server 2012 suite offers cost-effective, application-focused, enterprise-class datacenter and hybrid cloud solutions that take advantage of more advanced security and redundancy than the original 2003 version. In addition, many companies that still maintain a Server 2003 architecture are also still running Windows XP computers, presenting further upgrade opportunities for VARs.

“We’re trying to instill the value of disaster recovery as a crucial long-term investment,” continued Davis. “A secure disaster management plan will allow companies to safeguard essential customer data—and in turn, their own businesses. This is not just an intelligent way to conduct themselves on an everyday basis, it’s simple self-preservation. It could make the difference between a company surviving or closing down in the wake of an adverse event.”

Sample SMB Disaster Recovery Products Available from D&H Include:

• APC Smart-UPS LCD 120V: A high efficiency backup power supply providing abundant battery to maintain power through outages. The unit protects equipment against damage from surges and spikes that can travel along utility and data lines.
• Carbonite Server Basic: Cloud-based, automatic backup solutions to support small business servers, databases, live applications and Windows Hyper-V environments.
• McAfee SaaS Endpoint Protection Suite: Cost-effective managed security solutions that allow SMBs to deploy and control endpoint, email and web protection through a single, web-based console.
• Etón American Red Cross AM/FM Weather Alert Radio: This solar-paneled device powers up with the crank of a hand turbine. It incorporates a USB cell phone charger, flashlight and glow-in-the-dark locator.
• WD Sentinel DS5100 8 TB Storage Plus Server: An ultra-compact, fully configured solution delivering automatic backup and restore software for up to 25 users and 50 computers.

About D&H Distributing
As the nation’s leading technology distributor, D&H provides a wealth of resources to empower solution providers and consultants, delivering a broad selection of SMB categories, products and applications. The company’s offerings span server and infrastructure, SOHO and mobile applications, consumer electronics and gaming. D&H’s multimarket expertise, account-dedicated sales teams, sterling service and flexible financing options are unmatched in the industry.

With an impressive 96-year history serving as a trusted advisor to the reseller channel, D&H has been able to consistently reinvent itself based upon changing market conditions. The company prides itself on creating business partnerships with an astute focus on ease-of-doing-business, relationships, value, performance and service.

D&H ships out of five separate locations in North America, including its US headquarters in Harrisburg and its Canadian headquarters in Brampton, Ontario. Additional US warehouses are located in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and Fresno, CA. For more information, visit www.dandh.com.