Independent IT services and support provider Corbel has launched a new Disaster Recovery (DR) Centre at Claydon, near Ipswich.

A formal opening ceremony was performed last week by John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, at an event attended by 30 invited guests who were given the opportunity to tour the facilities.

The centre which will enable clients to relocate their office operation in the event of a disaster, with the facility providing data and telephony services as well as space for migration of staff.

Each seat position has a “thin client” device which can link to the client’s own system, a Mitel telephone and shared use of multi-functional printers, with a flexible room layout making the centre suitable for companies or departments of up to 75 people.

Two main rooms accommodate 30 seats each, with additional rooms for six or more seats, a meeting room, disabled seating and kitchen/welfare facilities, meaning the centre is suitable for one large organisation or a number of smaller companies that require an alternative location.

“This is an exciting day for Corbel, considerable investment has been made to provide this facility, which completes the comprehensive suite of DR services that we are able to provide to our clients,” said Peter Tickner, a director at Corbel, which is a member of the EADT’s Future50 listing of Suffolk companies identified as having exceptional growth potential.

“Every organisation requires a DR solution, the extent of which depends upon the level of risk and the required business ‘recovery time objective’.

“We very much look forward to delivering this service to our clients and to further expand the facility, as their businesses develop.”

Mr Dugmore said: “With 60% of companies that lose their data going out of business within six months of the disaster, the services provided by Corbel, and in particular their DR Centre here at Claydon, will provide companies of all sizes across the region with a vital facility.”

According to statistics from Richmond House Group, 20% of small to medium businesses will suffer a major disaster causing loss of critical data every five years.

About 70% of business people have experienced (or will experience) data loss due to accidental deletion, disk or system failure, viruses, fire or some other disaster. Corbel will also assist with answering the key questions to give companies confidence in their DR plan.

“Having the processes, policies and procedures in place and tested will give ‘Peace of Mind’ in the unfortunate event of an emergency,” added Mr Tickner.

Corbel Solutions, which is based in Knightsdale Road, Ipswich, is part of the Getech Group, a provider of IT services throughout the UK which has been established for nearly 25 years.

Following a rebrand in May, Corbel now carries on the business of the division formerly known as Getech Solutions.