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New Center Ensures Complete Employee Security
The TharpeRobbins Company, Inc., a global leader in the managed recognition and rewards industry, has moved its P360 system to a state-of-the-art data center that guarantees complete security of all client information and provides virtually round-the-clock Website access.
P360 is TharpeRobbins’ proprietary web-based technology platform that supports every aspect of the employee recognition process -- from the initial engagement of participants, to placing an order, to providing survey feedback. P360 seamlessly integrates with client systems and is backed by a staff dedicated to providing innovative technical solutions for all of its partners in the employee recognition industry.
According to Neal Cao, senior vice president and chief information officer, the company’s move to an off-site data center is just one more example of how TharpeRobbins stays ahead of the curve when it comes to technology.
“Technology at TharpeRobbins is on a very aggressive continuous improvement program,” says Cao. “Each quarter we announce a new upgrade or change to the system to ensure our technology is always a step ahead.”
In addition to expanded square footage to support the company’s growth plans, the data center offers improved security with new controls to aggressively protect against identity theft – a significant concern for companies like TharpeRobbins that manage classified employee information.
According to surveys conducted by the Federal Trade Commission and Javelin Strategy and Research, 8.4 million Americans reported being a victim of identity theft in 2007, with more than $50 billion being stolen. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, identity theft has become the number one crime in the nation. And the FTC reports that identity theft and fraud cost Americans more than $1.2 billion annually.
The new TharpeRobbins data center, which went “live” on October 20th, is a core component of the overall security protection of the company’s systems from any attacks or outside threats.
“This technologically-advanced center will safeguard all of our databases and web servers,” says Cao. “Even more important, it elevates our service agreement with our customers to the next level. Making this investment to reduce our customer’s risk demonstrates that TharpeRobbins is 100 percent committed to providing customers the most secure and up-to-date technology available.”
The center also guarantees 100 percent availability to the Internet at all times since systems are monitored 24/7 and the data center infrastructure has complete redundancy throughout. This guarantee surpasses the company’s 99.5 percent system availability commitment to its customers. In addition, the new center features upgraded and more powerful servers that will significantly improve the application performance of the programs. Cao says that the system’s reporting performance alone should improve by 50 percent or more as a result of the server upgrade.
The new data center also assures TharpeRobbins’ clients that the company is one of the first to have an infrastructure that is SAS 70 Type II certified. SAS 70 Type II is an internationally recognized accounting standard that was established in 1992 by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It is widely recognized, because it confirms that a service organization has been through an in-depth audit of its control objectives and control activities, which often include control over information technology and related processes. A SAS 70 Type II report not only includes the service organization's description of controls, but also includes detailed testing of the service organization's controls over a minimum six month period. In today's global economy, service organizations and service providers must demonstrate adequate controls and safeguards when hosting or processing confidential customer data.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to update and improve our P360 system to ensure our partners have the most secure and updated system possible,” says Cao. “As the technology updates and improves – so will TharpeRobbins’ P360 system.”
The privately-held TharpeRobbins (tharperobbins.com) was created through the February 2007 merger of The Robbins Company, founded in 1892, and The Tharpe Company Inc., founded in 1981. Customized programs include products ranging from personalized jewelry to fine art, electronics, sports equipment and outdoor merchandise. The company also offers rewards through local and national services, entertainment and recreation.
The company headquarters are located on a 25-acre campus in Statesville, N.C. and include an extensive showroom and state-of-the-art distribution facility. The Attleboro, Mass., operations include creative services, software development and jewelry manufacturing. The company is ISO certified.
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