Are MSPs Differentiating BDR, BC Offerings Holistically?

Data backup and disaster recovery (BDR) and business continuity (BC) work in unison to hold a business together during the worst of times, but are managed services providers (MSPs) misunderstanding the way these two concepts work as one to provide customers with a holistic BC plan?

BlackPoint IT Services CEO James Watson, a BDR and BC expert, told MSPmentor via email that BDR should be part of the total BC plan. This idea, he said, often causes some confusion.

“Business continuity really looks at the business as a whole as well as logistics, while BDR looks at what you would need to recover your data,” he said. “Business continuity looks at issues like where people will sit if they cannot make it into the office, how will information be communicated.”

To assist his customers, Watson offers reviews of BC plans, as well as reveal third-party providers that can provide emergency space and equipment in the event of a disaster — a service that is sometimes overlooked by MSPs.

“It is critically important for solution providers to take a more holistic view of their clients and walk them through their business continuity plan, this is one of the key differentiators that can aid in setting you apart from your competitors and achieve trusted advisor status with your client,” said.

A lot goes into developing a bulletproof BC plan for customers, but maybe Watson is onto something: How far should MSPs go to be the umbrella that protects customers from the rain? What makes one BC offering stand out from another?

If you think you missed any BDR and BC articles for the month of August, take a look at our monthly wrapup for a quick refresher.