Technology      Project Management      Disaster Recovery     Professional Services

Outsourcing Your Infrastructure: The AWD Data Center
In today's current market, the continuum of business operations is critical. To ensure 24x7 availability of your AWD system, the AWD Data Center offers outsourcing for back-end system operations and disaster recovery.

Our Mission
The AWD Data Center is committed to providing customer business solutions through applied technology, business analysis, and client-driven custom development. AWD Data Center clients know that the needs of their businesses and their staff will be continually met through the AWD Data Center's dedication to Total Quality Service.

Benefits
By establishing a long-term strategic relationship with a world-class provider such as DST, our AWD clients gain a significant advantage through the customized services provided by the AWD Data Center.

For more information on the AWD Data Center,download the AWD Data Center Technical Solutions brochure.

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Technology
The AWD Data Center offers clients the most current and technologically advanced hardware and software, without the cost associated with upgrading.

The AWD Data Center allocates staff, time, and money each quarter to evaluate the latest offerings from the world's largest software and hardware providers.

Download AWD Data Center Technical Solutions

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Project Management
AWD Data Center project management involves the execution and control of defined objectives to ensure successful product delivery. Today's business solutions require on-time delivery, within cost, and of the highest quality. Our project management team is prepared to ensure the success of your projects using Project Management Institute (PMI®) concepts and practices.

• Identify and document the project scope.
  
• Evaluate and document risks and assumptions in the project.
  
• Define the project requirements (cost, human resources, equipment, etc.)
  
• Develop project plans, work breakdown structure, and milestone charts.
  
• Estimate and schedule the project based on resource availability.
  
• Identify and negotiate for skilled associates to work on the project.
  
• Manage the activities in the project plan to ensure milestones and deadlines are met.
  
• Communicate progress to project stakeholders (clients, executive mgmt., supervisors, team members, and others).
  
• Resolve problems, team conflicts, and identify potential impacts of issues associated with the project.
  
• Provide leadership and motivation to team members.
  
• Identify and document lessons learned.
  
• Facilitate the project closure process.

Project Management Tools

• Enterprise Project Management Software
  
• Kick-off and Formalized Meetings
  
• Meeting Agendas
  
• Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) Defined
  
• Responsibility Matrices
  
• Communication Matrices
  
• Project Status Reports
  
• Formal Request for Information (RFI)
  
• Corrective Action Directives
  
• Deliverables Checklists
  
• Network Diagrams and Milestone Lists
  
• Earned Value Analysis Graphs
  

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Disaster Recovery
We believe that business continuity depends on both disaster recovery and efficient back-end systems support. The AWD Data Center provides clients with a complete disaster recovery solution by utilizing a fully redundant backup site, made available for mission critical applications in a real-time environment.

Primary and Secondary Environments

• 24-hour secure facilities (electronic access controls)
  
• Over 200,000 square feet in two data centers
  
• 21-inch raised floors
  
• Synchronous systems through Mimix
  
• Redundant systems
  
  • Dual AS/400
    
  • Generators
    
  • Emergency water supply
    
  • Independent cooling systems
    
  • Dual power feeds into both data centers
    
  • UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
    

• Greatly reduced risk of outages due to hardware failure.
  
• No interruption of services for scheduled maintenance.
  
• Backup system can be utilized for reports.
  
• Eliminates downtime for routine maintenance, systems upgrades, and nightly backups.

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Professional Services
One method the AWD Data Center uses to assure its clients' needs are met is through a customized Service Level Agreement. This agreement allows the expectations to be set in writing, substantiating the relationship between the AWD Data Center and the AWD client. A Service Level Agreement provides details for:

• Equipment Availability
  
• Technical Services
  
• Performance Reporting
  
• Change Control
  

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Organization
The AWD Data Center, under the direction of the Systems Officer and Systems Manager, is responsible for business services, technical services, and operational support for all AWD clients.

Because of the vast responsibilities of the AWD Data Center, our associates have gained the knowledge and experience necessary to provide the Total Quality Service that the AWD Data Center believes is vital to today's business relations.