In today’s digital retail environment, ensuring business continuity through high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) strategies is essential. Retailers face growing risks from cyberattacks, ransomware, natural disasters, and system failures—all of which can result in costly downtime, loss of customer trust, and disruptions to supply chain and sales. Without robust HA and DR systems, even a minor incident can have major financial and operational impacts, leaving retailers vulnerable to data loss and service interruptions.
This is where Retail Process Engineering (RPE) steps in. With advanced technology from their strategic partners including Maxava, RPE empowers retailers with comprehensive HA and DR solutions that ensure systems remain secure, resilient, and operational no matter what. Read on to discover how HA and DR are transforming retail IT—and how RPE can help protect your business.
The Growing Importance of High Availability and Disaster Recovery in the USA
As retail businesses grow increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, the risks associated with downtime multiply. High availability in retail IT ensures that systems continue operating even if individual components fail, while disaster recovery focuses on restoring data and operations quickly after a disruption. Combined, these strategies support retail operations, protecting against revenue loss and safeguarding sensitive customer data.
RPE and Maxava: A Strategic Partnership for Retail Resilience
Recently, RPE partnered with Maxava, a leader in HA and DR for IBM i systems, to deliver robust HA and DR services to the retail sector. This collaboration allows RPE to provide its retail clients with Maxava’s innovative solutions, which have been implemented in RPE’s data centers in Tampa, Florida, and Norcross, Georgia, with future expansions planned. These centers are equipped with Maxava’s HA software, which enhances data protection and system reliability for retailers.
Rob Henneke, President of RPE, notes that without a strong data recovery strategy, retail businesses are at risk. “Maxava’s solutions ensure that mission-critical data remains available and recoverable, providing a safety net against unforeseen disruptions,” he said. By working together, RPE and Maxava enable retail clients to protect their business continuity with trusted, scalable technology.
Understanding High Availability in Retail IT
In retail, high availability is essential to ensure that systems remain accessible, particularly during peak shopping seasons when demand is high. Maxava’s HA solutions are designed to eliminate single points of failure in IT infrastructure. By distributing system components across different servers and sites, HA minimizes the risk of downtime, helping retailers keep operations running smoothly.
- System Redundancy: HA solutions create redundant copies of essential components so that, if one part fails, others can take over, allowing for uninterrupted operation.
- Failover Mechanisms: Automated failover processes instantly redirect traffic to backup servers in case of an issue, so there is no noticeable disruption for customers.
The Role of Disaster Recovery in Retail IT
While HA aims to prevent disruptions, disaster recovery (DR) prepares retail businesses for unexpected events. Maxava’s DR solutions focus on quickly restoring applications and data center functions following incidents, reducing downtime to a minimum. This is particularly crucial in today’s retail sector, where data breaches or operational interruptions can significantly impact brand reputation and customer trust.
- Data Backup: Regular backups of critical data ensure that even if an attack occurs, retail IT systems can be quickly restored to a recent state.
- Rapid Recovery: DR solutions help minimize downtime by providing a roadmap for fast, efficient system restoration.
According to John Dominic, Global Vice President at Maxava, their solutions offer “practical protection against the lost revenue, legal risk, and brand damage triggered by unplanned downtime.” For retailers, having these strategies in place is not only a technological investment but also a business safeguard.
The Benefits of High Availability and Disaster Recovery in Retail
Retailers that implement HA and DR systems experience a wide range of benefits, including:
- Reduced Risk of Downtime: By ensuring systems are resilient to failure, retailers avoid revenue loss and maintain customer satisfaction.
- Protection Against Cyber Threats: As cyberattacks on retail IT systems rise, robust HA and DR solutions protect valuable data and keep operations secure.
- Compliance with Industry Standards: HA and DR systems help retailers adhere to regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of fines and protecting customer privacy.
Why RPE Stands Out in Retail IT
With over 25 years of experience on the IBM i platform, RPE has the knowledge and expertise to deliver high-quality HA and DR services tailored to the retail sector. By partnering with Maxava, RPE extends its ability to offer comprehensive IT solutions that are both scalable and dependable. Their combined offering provides a unique advantage, supporting retailers in achieving resilient, secure, and efficient IT operations.
RPE’s data centers, located in strategic locations across the U.S., are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure powered by Maxava’s software. This allows RPE to deliver on its commitment to business continuity, giving retail clients peace of mind knowing their systems are protected and recoverable.
Explore More: High Availability and Disaster Recovery for IBM i Systems
For retailers interested in learning more about the importance of high availability and disaster recovery, RPE offers an in-depth thought leadership piece on maximizing business resilience. Read more here.
Build Resiliency With Retail Process Engineering (RPE)
In a competitive retail landscape, high availability and disaster recovery solutions are essential for maintaining operational stability and customer trust. RPE, in partnership with Maxava, provides tailored HA and DR services to the retail sector, protecting businesses from the risks associated with downtime, data loss, and cyber threats. For retailers looking to strengthen their IT resilience, contact RPE today to learn how we can help secure your business against unforeseen disruptions.
