Enterprises cannot afford any downtime in their business operations. However, for a country that is beset by natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, concerns about losing data and operational disruption are high. As a digital solutions company, ePLDT saw the need to have its own stand-along disaster recovery facility to protect the enterprises it services.

ePLDT Inc., together with PLDT Clarktel, officially launches the first stand-alone disaster recovery (DR) facility in North Luzon with the VITRO Clark DR Site, to service Philippine enterprises. Located beside the VITRO Clark Data Center, the site is said to be the country’s largest DR facility to date standing at 6,909 sq m floor area.

With Clark composed of several business and transit hubs such as the Clark Special Economic Zone, Clark Freeport Zone, and the Clark International Airport, it continues to rise as a premier business and tourist destination attracting both local and foreign investors alike. Clark is also among cities cited by the government as a recovery site in the national contingency plan making it an ideal location for the DR site.

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Business continuity

The ePLDT Group promises to support the business continuity efforts of enterprises in the country by offering services such as data backup and alternative office spaces. Enterprises interested in strengthening their disaster recovery plans can choose from the facility’s dedicated or shared seats with the former providing companies with an office space that mirrors their current headquarters, and the latter providing a more cost-efficient space, shared with other tenants.

While the site can initially house 246 DR seats, it is set to expand to over 2,300 throughout its continued development, with the mission of becoming the top-of-mind back-up facility for enterprises. It also boasts of the same features signature of ePLDT’s VITRO Data Centers, such as its being seismic zone 4-compliant, making it able to withstand earthquakes of up to intensity 8; it’s N+1 Genset Configuration ensuring the operational continuity in the event of power failures, and it’s 24/7 security and customer support.

“We at ePLDT, recognize that disaster recovery is a top priority for our customers, which is why we are fortifying our capabilities to ensure that we provide them with the means to safeguard their operations at all costs,” said Jovy Hernandez, president and CEO, ePLDT.

Beyond ICT, digital services

“With the launch of our VITRO DR site in Clark, we make it easier for our customers to enable their business continuity and resiliency plans. This is in line with our mission of simplifying the complex for our customers,” he added.

“We have always believed that our business goes beyond ICT and digital services,” said Al Panlilio, chairman of the board, ePLDT. “We’re providing our customers with solutions that will improve their operations and in turn, allow them to better serve their customers and our society as a whole. This initiative is but a testament to that commitment—allowing us to provide true end-to-end support for our customers, no matter the circumstance,” Panlilio said.

Over the years, the PLDT group has been laying the infrastructure necessary for Clark to adapt to the latest technologies and accommodate even more businesses. Among other key investments in the area include the VITRO Data Center facility, considered to be the first of its kind throughout the Central Luzon area; and the deployment of the country’s first 5G network.