HOUSTON, Dec. 19. 2007 – Schipul – The Web Marketing Company (www.schipul.com), a provider of Web marketing products and services for businesses and associations, is taking action to minimize the potential impact of a business disruption. Schipul has entered into a strategic alliance with Firestorm Solutions LLC, a leader in business continuity planning, vulnerability analysis, risk mitigation and crisis management.

Schipul’s rapid growth and commitment to client service have fueled its interest in planning for disaster. The Houston-based company has a client base of nearly 400 businesses and associations, and more than a half million people regularly use Tendenci® Web marketing software, which is developed and marketed by Schipul. The Houston Area Red Cross, which serves almost 6 million people in 16 counties, recently launched a new Web site powered by Tendenci.

“We have a responsibility to the organizations that depend on us to deliver maximum uptime, communication and service even in the worst of circumstances,” said Ed Schipul, CEO of Schipul – The Web Marketing Company. “Through this process we anticipate being able to improve our software and services to be a greater value to our clients and the communities they serve.”

Tendenci software features a unique set of Web-based disaster preparedness tools that can help organizations respond quickly and effectively. Tendenci’s first responder tool ensures that emergency communications reach critical people. Tendenci’s volunteer coordination portal and emergency social services check-in feature help to organize relief efforts.

Firestorm believes the Schipul team’s mindset could be the key to the company’s survival. Approximately 40 percent of small or medium businesses fail to reopen after a disaster affects them. And of those that do reopen, another 25 percent close within two years.

 
“We find most businesses are in disaster denial, thinking that it can’t happen to them, so it is refreshing to work with a team that really embraces the process,” said Jim Satterfield, CEO of Firestorm. “The increasing importance of the Web in keeping information flowing and keeping employees, customers and communities updated makes our work with Schipul that much more significant.”

As part of the strategic alliance, Schipul will design a new dynamic Web site for Firestorm powered by Tendenci software. The site will feature a Content Management System to make it easy to post and update content, e-newsletter capabilities, an online event calendar and registration, and integrated Really Simple Syndication (RSS) to automate the process of alerting subscribers to updates.

About Schipul - The Web Marketing Company

 
Schipul - The Web Marketing Company developed and builds on the Tendenci® association management application, which has more than a half million users worldwide. Schipul is based in Houston, and provides marketing services on the Internet to a variety of service industries in local, national and international markets. Schipul's clients include American Association of Dental Office Managers, National Pharmacy Technician Association, Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Wolff Companies and DPK Public Relations. Additional information about Schipul is available at www.schipul.com and www.tendenci.com. 

About Firestorm Solutions

Firestorm is a strategic consulting firm which focuses on vulnerability analysis, threat assessment, crisis management and mitigation, employing a ‘Predict. Plan. Perform’ model. Additional information is available at www.firestorm.com or call 1-800-321-2219. 

 

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