25 June 2002 Solid Data Corporation finalist in Australia Post Small Business Awards (press release).

Local Canberra company recognised for excellence and innovation at 2002 Australia Post Small Business Awards
Canberra, June 4th, 2002 – Canberra business, Solid Data Corporation, has been selected as a finalist for its achievements locating and providing excellent service and innovative solutions in this year’s Australia Post Small Business Awards.

The Awards have been running since 1997 and are open to NSW/ACT small businesses. The awards recognise outstanding achievement in a range of practices relating to small business.

Each nominated small business is judged for its professionalism, ingenuity, and commitment to the local community as demonstrated by its achieved results. The awards are judged by a panel of distinguished individuals, including a representative from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development. This year, Solid Data has been named as a finalist in the “Getting Started” Category, for excellence and innovation in a business in operation under two years. The winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner on the 22nd of June.

"We found that Australian small businesses needed a new way to protect their information, and that the service we provided would be essential to creating value for the customer," said the Solid Data Managing Director, Kevin Jeffery.

"Our business depends on being able to identify the exact needs of our customers and to customise a solution to meet those needs," explained Mr Jeffery. The finalist status is due to the strong commitment to giving the customer only what they need, and providing something of real value to their business.

Solid Data is based in Narrabundah and offers an on-line data back-up and recovery service. Technical director Peter Johnston said “there have been major advances in the way data can be compressed and sent down a telephone line. What this means for business is that for the first time off-site data storage via the web is really viable. Solid Data is an Australian leader in using this technology. We have negotiated to have clients’ data stored in on of the most secure locations for data in Australia. For our clients this means peace of mind and confidence that if they have a September 11 in their lives, their data is recoverable in minutes.”

One satisfied customer, prominent local business adviser Michael Hardy said "my critical data was not being managed correctly. If I had have had a disaster it may well have cost me my complete business. The Solid Data Storage package is incredibly easy and excellent value for money at less than $50 per month. It is a set and forget system that provides insurance against total loss of my critical data. Every micro and small business that uses a computer should be using this product”.

"We are as thrilled with the value we are providing our customers as we are with gaining recognition through this Award," said Mr Jeffery. "We have worked hard to set up a business that is focussed on our customers and we are continuing to find new opportunities for expansion and improvement to our business and our products over the coming months."

Background to the Solid Data awards entry

Between March and September 2001, Kevin Jeffery and Peter Johnston, the now Directors of Solid Data Corporation, undertook a series of market research and planning activities to quantify the need for an innovative backup and recovery solution for small businesses..

The Solid Data Storage product is suited to micro, small and medium sized businesses, in the first instance. “These are the people who have not really thought a lot about off-site back-up”, said Mr Jeffery. “Our product is an excellent entry point into back-up and disaster recovery planning. We have products to support the larger corporate and government sector, as well. After all, we use them ourselves.”

“In the end the purpose behind data back-up is to make sure that in the event of a catastrophe, business can resume with minimal delay. Off-site back-up storage provides the best scenario for recovery and business continuity.”

Key features of the Solid Data Storage system operated by the company include:

• Security – all information is encrypted and then stored in a “Top Secret” rated facility used by government agencies;
• Automated – all functions for backup are ‘set-and-forget’ letting the customer get on with their business knowing that their information is secured;
• Offsite – with the information secured in another location, it is safe from fires, floods or thefts at the customers premises;
• Easy to use – all features of the Solid Data Storage system are very easy to use and with a simple instruction manual can be operated by any computer user.

The launch of Solid Data Storage has given many businesses around the Canberra region peace of mind in knowing that their information is protected and will be there when they need it.

About Solid Data Corporation.

Headquartered in Canberra, Solid Data Corporation is is in the business of protecting clients critical business information. We are set up to take secure and reliable technology and apply it to the unserviced need of online data backup for small to medium businesses and individuals. We provide an innovative online service that is reliable, secure, private, and safe to allow business owners to concentrate on running their businesses. We ensure peace of mind for small business owners through a fully automated, secure and offsite solution.

Kevin Jeffery can be contacted at Solid Data Corporation on 6295 5555 or kevin@soliddata.com.au