With Long Island, where Advisor Products is headquartered, expected to experience an extended storm and coastal areas expected to suffer the worst flooding in seven decades, Advisor Products has taken every precaution necessary to avoid any service disruption to websites and client portals. With the storm expected to hit Long Island in less than 24 hours, our staff has been placed on high alert and the company has begun operating under our disaster recovery plan.  

Your Website And Client Portals. Our hosting facility has increased 24/7 onsite technical support and ensured the integrity of backup power generators. In the event of a utility failure, redundant generators are prepared to supply the hosting facility’s load for 24-plus hours, and contracts with local fuel providers require same-day delivery if the need would arises, ensuring extended continuity of service.

Internal Advisor Products Systems, those used by our service and support team, are always prepared to be operated “virtually,” as done a year ago after Hurricane Irene. As long as Internet service at our employees’ homes is uninterrupted, our VOIP phone system enables you to reach technical staff as you always would. In the event of an extended power outage at Advisor Products offices, we’ve “reserved” an empty rack in our data center. We unfortunately have experience with this: A year ago, after a falling tree behind our office building knocked out the power line to our building, we moved internal hardware and software to our hosting facility and operated remotely for a week. While moving the equipment, we may be difficult to reach by phone for a few hours. Jason Gucciardo, a 10-year veteran Web developer at Advisor Products who also fields service calls daily, is located in Florida and will be available at extension (516) 333-0066 x230.

Advisors In Sandy’s Path. Just before the storm comes through, IT Manager Jason Fogelson will power down equipment housed at our office to prepare for the possibility of a power outage. Internal systems for operations will be powered down while the worst of the storm passes. Although we have backup power supplies, they do not last more than a few hours. A controlled shutdown eliminates the risk of damage to servers from a sudden shutdown. Advisors may want to take the same precaution. If you’re running Microsoft Exchange, a CRM, portfolio management software or other network software in your office, shut them down and reboot them after the worst has passed. If you suffer an extended power outage, you can move your equipment.  

Updates Throughout The Storm. Jason Fogelson and Steve Gordonson,VP of Technology, will be providing status updates throughout the storm. Please follow Advisor Products on Twitter to get updates about service and support.