Double-Take Software has enabled Unicorn IT, a UK provider of managed IT services, to launch a managed business continuity service.

The service, Continue, utilises the real-time data protection and recoverability functionality of Double-Take to provide small and medium-sized business (SMBs) with enterprise-level IT continuity. Continue replicates data from an SMB’s servers to fully managed target servers within Unicorn IT’s data centre. In the event of server failure at the SMB’s main site, delivery of IT services is rapidly transferred to the target servers, which hold an up to date copy of data and provide near-continuous service to users.

Ricky Reemer, managing director of Unicorn IT said: “Having used Double-Take Software to replicate data between data centres in our own business continuity plans, we realised that the solution could enable us to develop an outsourced business continuity service for our SMB clients. We discussed the concept with Double-Take Software and learnt that their solution had the functionality that would enable us to deliver the service cost effectively to end-users. As a result, we were rapidly able to develop and launch Continue, which we believe provides SMBs with very high levels of data protection and availability of systems, allowing employee productivity to continue almost uninterrupted after a disaster.”

Ian Masters, UK sales and marketing director at Double-Take Software said: “Due to constraints in both skills and budget, many SMBs rely on tape backup in their IT continuity plans, even though tape can not provide the availability and protection that an IT reliant business needs. Unicorn IT has an excellent managed service offering already in place and is perfectly positioned to extend its services to encompass business continuity planning for SMBs. We applaud Unicorn IT for launching this service, as it will greatly enhance business continuity for many organisations.”

Continue allows business managers to hand over responsibility for continuity of IT services, enabling them to focus attention on developing the core IT systems that drive their businesses forward.