Location
- Victoria, north-east of Melbourne
- Length of relationship – Working with Otto since 2013
Key equipment/products/services provided:
Project services, managed network solutions, IT support, internet services, backup and disaster recovery solutions
After a lightning strike destroyed their servers and took the entire business offline, this client in north-east Victoria faced a true worst-case scenario. Otto IT was brought in to recover what data we could, rebuild their network, and restore operations. Within four days, we had 90 percent of their applications back up and running, helping the team return to work with minimal long-term disruption.
The Problem
The client’s office was hit by a lightning strike. It wasn’t just a power surge or a minor outage. Their servers were destroyed, and the entire business was taken offline in an instant. It was the kind of event no one ever expects to happen, but when it does, the impact is immediate and severe.
The Consequences
With their systems down, the business couldn’t function. Staff were unable to work, and productivity came to a complete halt. The outage lasted several days, and during that time, there was no access to critical applications or data. It was a high-stress situation for everyone involved, and the longer it went on, the more pressure there was to get things back online.
The Solution
Otto IT was brought in to manage the recovery. We started by salvaging as much data as possible from the damaged servers. From there, we rebuilt the network using the information we had available. Within four days, we had restored 90 percent of their applications, allowing the team to get back to work and resume operations. It wasn’t just about getting systems online again. It was about restoring confidence and stability after a major disruption.
The Challenges
Recovering data from the damaged server hard drives was one of the biggest challenges. The lightning strike had caused significant damage, and the backup systems in place weren’t enough on their own. We managed to rebuild the boot sector of one of the hard disks, which gave us access to their active directory. That was a turning point. With that in place, we were able to rebuild the network with the correct permissions and structure, ensuring staff could log in and work as they had before.
Project Outcome – The Benefits
Thanks to the recovery effort, the business was able to bounce back quickly from a serious incident. Most of their systems were restored within days, and the network was rebuilt with a stronger, more resilient foundation. The experience also highlighted the importance of having a robust disaster recovery plan in place. Since then, the client has continued working with Otto IT to strengthen their infrastructure and ensure they’re better prepared for whatever comes next.
Transform Your IT with Otto Today
