DBK Concepts, a provider of mobile data-collection systems for inventory management, has selected Verizon Business to provide advanced voice and data communications and business resilience services. The services will help enable DBK -- a South-Florida- based company whose customers are Fortune 500 companies in the retail, grocery, whole and transportation industries -- to maintain business operations round the clock, even during severe weather conditions.

Under the three-year contract, announced by Verizon Business, its Premium Data Center in Miami will house DBK's critical voice and data communications infrastructure to help reduce the risk of a major service disruption, especially during the hurricane season. In addition, Verizon Business' Internet Satellite Enterprise Service will help ensure continuity of DBK's Internet service in the event local landlines are knocked out.

"When it comes to business preparedness, Verizon Business is committed to delivering innovative and redundant voice and data communications solutions to our customers," said Steve Young, group president of corporate accounts, Verizon Business. "Like DBK, we understand that highly reliable communications with our customers is critical for success in the business world."

DBK is also using Verizon Business' Hosted IP Centrex to provide Voice-over-IP (VoIP) service. Embedded in Verizon Business' network, Hosted IP Centrex eliminates the need for DBK to house on-premises customer equipment and provides additional protection against service disruptions.

With Verizon VoIP, DBK's employees also can use a Web-based interface to automatically forward calls to their cell phone, home or other location, as well as manage voice mail via the Web from any location.

"We conduct 90 percent of our business via the Internet or phone, so running a 24-by-7 operation is DBK's first priority," said DBK CEO Danny Katz. "After Hurricane Wilma in 2005, we aggressively searched for a highly redundant data center solution that would give our customers the assurance they needed that our business would be up and running round the clock. We've learned that one hour of downtime can cause a 48-hour delay for our customers, and that's why selecting the right provider, Verizon Business, was such a crucial decision for us."

In addition to the Premium Data Center, hosted VoIP and Internet Broadband Satellite Services, DBK uses advanced local, long-distance and international voice services from Verizon Business.

Verizon Business' Premium Data Centers are among the many Business Resilience Solutions now offered by Verizon Business. It provides complete end-to-end solutions for customers, leveraging its people, processes and systems to help ensure the continuation of critical business activities even during unforeseen events such as natural disasters, equipment failures or building evacuations.