DataBank Data Services Keeps Houston Symphony Humming

When Tropical Storm Allison pounded the Texas Gulf coast in June of 2001, Houston was hit hard. Floodwaters relentlessly rose to cover and wreak havoc on the streets, homes and businesses of this great metropolis. One of the victims of the devastating tempest was a thriving center for the performing arts - the Houston Symphony.

Since its origin in 1913, the Houston orchestra has grown to bring symphonic music to patrons worldwide. An estimated 300,000 people each season experience the magic of classical, pops and family concerts.

Dealing with the Damage
The information network of this great symphonic organization was greatly compromised, however, in the wake of Allison. At the height of the storm, twenty-eight feet of water stood in Jones Hall where the Symphony's main offices are housed. Submerged in the murky depths was the entire data infrastructure for the Houston Symphony. With chemicals and raw sewage floating through the building, backup tapes for every database within the organization were rapidly deteriorating.

When waters finally subsided, Senior Director of Technology Don Whitney did what he could to salvage the Symphony's data, immediately flushing the tapes and placing them in clean, distilled water. Then he set about the task of finding an organization to recover the data.

Whitney found two companies that promised to help and sent them each tapes which were made early in the week of the disaster. The outfit that was able to return the most data would also get the backup tape that was actually in the drive when the flood hit. Neither service was successful in restoring data.

DataBank Data Services Exceeds Expectations
As the saying goes, "third time's a charm." An Internet search led Whitney to DataBank Data Services, a data recovery service located in Austin, Texas. He sent DataBank Data Services a damaged tape to see how the company would handle the arduous task its competitors were unable to accomplish. "DataBank Data Services was the only service to recover all of the data from the backup tape - not once, but twice," exudes Whitney. Needless to say, the rest of the job was gratefully handed to the Austin-based service provider. All of the data from flood damaged backup tapes was recovered.

The loss of critical data is every company's worst nightmare. DataBank Data Services came alongside the Houston Symphony to put those fears to rest. Whitney explains, "DataBank Data Services understood the perilous predicament I was in and the sense of urgency involved. They showed compassion. I was really pleased with the thorough work and tenacity the company exhibited in taking on a data recovery project."

Indeed, DataBank Data Services' performance surpassed expectations and generated a collective sigh of relief at the Houston Symphony. "I was able to face the entire organization, knowing their data was back," Whitney shares.

The Symphony's relationship with DataBank was built as a result of an emergency situation - one that Whitney hopes will not repeat itself. But if the need should ever arise again, he won't hesitate to turn to DataBank Data Services. "I would encourage anyone in need of data recovery services to seek out DataBank Data Services as a first choice."

Company Profile
Name: Houston Symphony
Address: 615 Louisiana Street, Suite 102, Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 449-7317
Web Site Address: www.houstonsymphony.org
Date Founded: 1913
Senior Director, Technology: Don Whitney
Company Function: Performing Arts Organization - Orchestra
Budget: $20.7 million