FAR recently ripped out all our old Backup and Disaster Recovery servers at all customer sites. These old BDRs rip-outs, which we’ve branded as BACK2U’s, were manufactured and supported by a company called Zenith Infotech.  While they initially seemed like the right partner for the critical function of protecting our clients’ backup and business continuity, we soon started to see a few things that did not impress us at all.  Here’s the short list:

1. Hodge podge solution, put together via a mixture of multiple vendors.

2. Clone, low end hardware.

3. Nightmare support.

So at absolutely NO COST to our valued clients, we axed them all out and went with an incredible solution from Axcient.  Based in Mountain View, California, Axcient impressed us with substance.  Here’s the short list:

1. Organically grown solution.  No slapstick.

2. HP hardware, all the way.

3. Exhilarating support.

End result. Bliss.

Oh, and so you don’t think I abandoned Zenith without a little warning, here is what I sent to their Executive Vice President of Sales prior to pulling the trigger.  In case you’re wondering what his response was – you guessed it – no response.  The silence says that even he feels I made the right decision.

From: Osama Faris

Sent: August-15-11 8:14 AM

To: (name-redacted)@zenithinfotech.com

Subject: FAR’s Partnership with Zenith

Good Morning (name-redacted),

Hope all is well with you.  This email is to inform you that FAR’s experience with the Zenith BDR platform to date has been less than satisfactory.  We have lost significant revenue due to credit’s we have had to issue to the clients, and as it stands, this solution does not give us any level of assurance as it pertains to backup and disaster recovery.  My techs have had to spend literally hours on the phone/chat sessions during regular and after-hours trying to make the solution work.  In a nutshell, my techs have lost confidence in the product.

Currently, we are starting to deploy Axcient devices for new customers, and are currently retaining our existing clients that are on Zenith, until such time as we can afford to migrate them off.

I think very highly of you (name-redacted) – my introduction to you by (name-redacted) is what instigated me to choose the Zenith platform – and that is why I am sending you this email, out of courtesy, to inform you of my dissatisfaction.

Sincerely,

Osama M. Faris

CEO

FAR