Software
Plan
Development Software Tools
There
are essentially three types of software tools available to you for
your plan development:
Word
–
This tool simply works incredibly well for about 95% of all business
locations. Generally speaking, if your staff count is less than a
thousand, seriously consider Word based software.
It is quick to learn, uncomplicated to use, and easy to
maintain. BRProactive’s
templates are highly structured by an experienced planner and they
already contain a considerable amount of verbiage.
The Introduction And Guide provides extensive planning
information. Priced under
$1300 and there is annual maintenance fee.
Database
– This type of tool starts to become beneficial in larger
organizations that have grown to more than a thousand employees.
When using this type of software, it is desirable to have an
experienced planner available to construct the plan framework and to
input general verbiage. Training is usually suggested. The guide that is provided
usually addresses the software usage and not the subject matter of
disaster/business planning.
The
primary benefit of a database comes during plan maintenance where you
may save a few hours annually. Also, requests for “custom reports” are easier to
generate, but rarely requested. Priced
around $9,000 up, and expect to pay an annual maintenance fee of about
15%.
Intranet
– This is the newest type of tool and is targeted for use by very
large and complex organizations.
Companies utilizing this tool will have one or more full time
certified planners on staff. Expect to pay in excess of $20,000 for the license and
don’t forget to budget for the annual maintenance.
Note:
Following the plan development, the plans must be printed and
distributed to ensure availability at time of need. This applies to
Word, Database, and Intranet developed plans.
If you want the plans viewable “online”, this can be
accomplished by placing the file(s) on a server, or on your intranet. For intranet viewing, simply convert your files to PDF format
and place them out on your site.
Summary
– The type of software you choose, Word vs. Database, will have no
impact on how solid your “final plan” is.
That is, if ever needed, the success of your plan is directly
proportional to the amount of time, detail, and effort you put into
both developing and maintaining it.
However,
if you choose BRProactive’s Word based software, you’ll:
Avoid external training
Develop your plan quicker
Produce a more structured plan
Save $7,700+ on software license fee(s)
Avoid
a $1,350 annual software maintenance fee
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User's Guide
