How Software Can Help You Clean Up After a Disaster

Having software tools in place before disaster strikes means your business can continue on even when your immediate world is turned upside down.

By JobNimbus

Individuals and businesses alike struggle to find sure footing after a disaster. With so many emotional, mental, and physical problems to solve at once, it can be difficult to know which tools to reach for.

It’s probably not the first thing you think of at a time like this, but businesses can do a lot using robust software solutions. These tools can help with reclamation efforts by providing reliable, powerful features for organizing resources, communicating with team members, and much more. We’ve gathered a few features to think about using after a disaster, whether you are directly or indirectly affected by an unfortunate event.

While access to software and the internet vary by event, most disaster regions aren’t connected for some time. Having software tools in place before disaster strikes means your business can continue on even when your immediate world is turned upside down, as well as during the long recovery process.

Cloud-based Backup and Reliability: While those directly in the geographical area are most affected by a disaster, others may still experience distress. You may have business interests in the disaster area, or you may simply feel empathy for what’s going on. In either case, you may find yourself battling worry and other signs of emotional distress.

Cloud-based tools can help put your mind at ease.

For example, backup servers in more than one geographical area protect you from data loss. In some cases, cloud connectivity also means you’re more likely to stay connected to your team than not. Look for tools with this kind of support. It can give you really powerful peace of mind despite difficult times.

Communication: Business is challenging even under the best circumstances. But recovering a business is one of the hardest and most emotional things you’ll ever face–to say nothing of your personal loss and recovery.

To begin moving past this, it’s important to restore communication to your team as quickly as possible. This is an example of the cloud-based reliability we just mentioned. When it comes to accessing company information, some software solutions will let you view or even edit information even though you’re offline. Once you’re online again, you’ll sync to the system.

The right tools also help you reach out to customers and other contacts as soon as possible. Because your information is backed up in the cloud, when your team moves, your business moves with them.

Also, even if you’re not in the affected disaster area, you may still want to communicate to your customer base. This allows you to be a powerful resource once the internet is available to those affected by the disaster. Many customers are unaware of structural dangers following a catastrophic event, so any insight you can give them as they return to investigate their property may even prevent additional danger or tragedy. For example, during Hurricane Harvey, some properties’ electricity sources were not turned off. If your business involves potential danger zones you could provide help and insight on, communication will be key.

Workflows, Record Keeping, and Organization: You’re probably already working to rebuild, and you’re likely all-too-aware that sometimes government assistance or resources aren’t immediately available. During these difficult times, you may find yourself wondering where to start with the physical or property-related problems at hand. That’s where our inventory, documentation, and workflow tools can help.

For example, some disaster experts advise property owners to take pictures every day, or even multiple times per day. That documentation can help with insurance claims. Keep it all straight and organized among your business teams by leveraging JobNimbus’ in-app photo feature.

You can also use features like digital signatures to begin processing insurance claims or other important paperwork.

Our Thoughts Are With You as You Rebuild:As you continue rebuilding your personal and business life, please let us know how we can support you. Many have experienced incredible loss and that it takes time to process that emotionally, mentally, and physically. We hope our tools can create support during such times.

If you’re reading this before disaster strikes, please reach out to us with any questions about how you can get started with our tools so everything’s in place should an unfortunate situation arise.

For those already dealing with a difficult disaster recovery situation, our thoughts are with you. You will get through this and your team and business will rise from this setback. Please let us know how JobNimbus can support you.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared on JobNimbus’ blog and can be viewed here.