VISI is currently going through our annual SAS 70 Type II review.  This review involves time from both internal and external resources (accountants and lawyers), but is necessary for maintaining our certification. I’m often asked, “If I’m a customer of data center services, why should I care?”

Let me share a real life example.  Recently we had a company approach us in a panic.  Their largest customer was completing a routine audit of their suppliers.  During this audit they required all of their suppliers to provide proof of SAS 70 Type II.   This company was required to prove SAS 70 compliance within 30 days or be terminated as a supplier.  VISI assisted this customer in moving their servers to our data center and they retained their largest customer.

We are observing more companies in the marketplace that have requirements for this certification.  The general consensus is that we are moving into a more regulated business environment.  Most publicly held firms, financial institutions, government agencies, and health care corporations require SAS 70 Type II certification.  It’s not a “nice to have”, it’s a “must have.”

When I hear that customers don’t need SAS 70, I deliberately find out if they ever plan to do business with the segments of the marketplace that require it.  Most of these organizations assume that you have these certifications in place and eventually will audit all of their suppliers.   Caveat emptor!

In addition to sponsoring Sierra Bravo’s Overnight Website Challange, VISI was proud to have a few application developers as part of the Code Cowboys team. The Code Cowboys did an incredible job creating a new site for Access Press during the 24 hour event.  Check out the video below for a recap.

As we approach “the wee hours of the morning,” I’m thoroughly impressed by the professional efforts the Overnight Website Challenge developers and non-profits continue to put into their websites.  The night hasn’t been without much-needed stretch breaks, power outages and plenty of caffeine, but every one is hanging in there. At the time of this posting, the teams have five hours left to code.

Below are links to stories of the interested media since beginning of the day yesterday.

KARE 11

Minnov8 Podcast

Pioneer Press’ Leslie Suzukamo

WCCO and Fox9 News also covered the event, so we will share those links are they posted.