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Landata Systems
By David Singer, Contributing Writer
About Landata Systems
Houston-based Landata Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stewart Information Services, a global real estate information company. As an Applications Service Provider (ASP) for Stewart Title, Landata Systems provides the real estate industry with title insurance software and technologies development, consulting and support. Its Titlelogix product is "an end-to-end, Web-based solution for title agencies and title plants."
Titlelogix subscribers access a complete array of title production tools and services from Landata Systems' data centers, thus reducing their IT costs while benefiting from Landata System's ongoing commitment to updating, improving and expanding the service. Several thousand real estate offices and agencies in the US and abroad rely on Landata Systems to ensure efficient and cost-effective management of all aspects of their real estate transactions.
Preparing for the threat of hurricanes
Landata Systems is keenly aware of the trust placed in them by their clients, and has developed comprehensive plans for dealing with contingencies that could impact the company's ability to provide services. Its Disaster Recovery Advisory Council (DRAC) consists of a small group of senior Landata Systems executives charged with maintaining the safety and integrity of the company's operations and data centers in the face of disruptive events.
"Weather can be a significant threat," said Scott Sherrill, Landata Systems' marketing manager, in a recent interview. "One of our data centers is located in Houston, which is susceptible to hurricanes. We are proactive, so we subscribe to an independent weather service which tracks tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes. Our DRAC has taken steps to ensure that we have in place processes and procedures for safeguarding data in the event of a hurricane, and for resuming operations afterwards, as quickly and efficiently as possible."
The Stewart Weather Bulletins: Information Mapped Weather Advisories
One important concern for the DRAC was how Landata Systems would convey news of severe weather events via email to field office managers, customers and members of the disaster recovery team. Donald Potthoff, supervisor of Landata Systems' operational/technical writing documentation, was among the team that was assembled to create the Stewart Weather Bulletins.
"We knew that our notifications needed to be clear and concise, simple and factual," Donald told the Insider's interviewer. "In an emergency, potential or actual, people don't have time to wade through superfluous information. You need to present only what is absolutely necessary, in a manner that is unambiguous and not unduly alarming."
"My goal was to help design a targeted communication that was easy to use and would tell managers what they needed to know, and what they needed to do, if anything. The Information Mapping method is our documentation standard at Landata Systems, and proved ideal for creating the standardized templates for our Stewart Weather Bulletins."
Structure of the Stewart Weather Bulletins
The Stewart Weather Bulletins are excellent examples of how Landata Systems uses Information Mapping to simplify complex information. Each bulletin consists of a single Map, containing
Current Situation - a summary of the severe weather situation (including a link to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Web site) What is Being Done - a statement of what action is being taken by Landata Systems Distribution - a distribution list, and For Assistance - telephone and email contact information. This has proven to be all the information that managers and recovery team members initially require. Clearly laid out and easy to understand, the Bulletins are high quality, high performance business communications.
Reaction from the field: "Thank You"
"We're very pleased with the results," says Donald, "By standardizing and simplifying our notifications, we are able to proactively address any weather-related event, and assure our managers that everything that can be done is being done." "Reaction from the field has been great," says Scott. "We get lots of good feedback about the Bulletins. People tell us that this is helpful, useful information and they thank us for keeping them informed."
The Marketing Perspective: Mapping is "good branding"
Scott Sherrill's background in marketing gives him another perspective on the benefits of Mapping the Stewart Weather Bulletins. "We're talking right now about using Information Mapping for weather advisories, but you can use it for anything that might potentially impact a business," he says. "It's consistent, easy to use, and recognizable. In other words, it's good branding."
Donald Potthoff's Background
Donald Potthoff believes that his appreciation of the Information Mapping method results in part from his Bachelor's degree in Graphic Communications, which he says "gave me an appreciation for disciplines that emphasize simplifying complex information." He has recently added an MBA from the University of Houston to his professional credentials. An ardent proponent of Information Mapping since 1996, Donald joined Landata Systems six years ago. He currently manages a team of three writers who apply the Information Mapping method to disaster recovery documentation, technical policies and procedures, employee and management handbooks, operations manuals, and Sarbanes-Oxley and SAS 70 compliance documentation.
For More Information
For more information on how Information Mapping can help overcome your information challenges, please call 800-463-6627 or email inquiry@infomap.com.
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