The lucky charms with the ones and zeros

(Image source: Stellar Data Recovery)

Each storage device has different requirements for the data recovery process. (Image source: Stellar Data Recovery)

(Image source: Stellar Data Recovery)

There are various forecasts, as this graphic shows. (Source: http://www.idema.org/)

End of July 2015 saw a tour for companies and trade journalists with experts in data recovery and restoration. Location: Cleanroom laboratory, Coordinates: Utrecht.

In conversation with Kees Jan Merman –KJM– (Managing Director EMEA), Sylvia Haensel –SH– (Head of Business Development DACH), and John de Keijzer –JdK– (Partner Management Netherlands)

Ms. Haensel, Mr. Meerman, Mr. de Keijzer: Why do you see data rescuers as a dream profession?

KJM: We combine several professions here; it requires both technical skill and human intuition. SH: Some days, we're like firefighters who have to rush out immediately or like PC doctors providing first aid; other times, we think of counselors offering comfort and hope. That sounds very lofty, but the fate of an entire company can depend on RAID data recovery. Being a little bit of a good luck charm is always highly motivating. JdK: Every case is a bit different and special; it must be treated with the same concentration and care. Whether it's recovering wedding photos or invoices from the last five years, it's never trivial for the affected person. So, every day remains exciting. 

Mr. de Keijzer: Are special trainings required for a cleanroom laboratory?

KJM: Yes, for example, we have employees who were previously developers at renowned product manufacturers in the ITK industry. These experiences are especially important and contribute to success in high-class data recovery. This knowledge helps us stay competitive in terms of quality.

In our company, we have our own training centers: in Europe, for example, in Utrecht (NL), or in Asia, in Gourgon (India). Here, we ensure that the latest specialist knowledge is transferred repeatedly in very short cycles and can be used on many levels. We have been a solid player in the data recovery segment for over 20 years, guided by the motto: "Experience makes the difference," drawing on the insights from thousands of data recovery cases. Every employee must constantly update their skills; the innovation and product life cycles of storage media are also rapid. Stellar employees can access a vast knowledge and expert database to offer the best data recovery available on the market. Our motto in the lab is: "What we can't recover, no one else in the world can." It sounds more than confident, but that's how it is.

What is actually the most complex aspect of a cleanroom?

KJM: There are many specific points to consider in class 100 cleanrooms: cleanliness, pressure conditions, temperature, precision, etc.

Normal measuring tools are not sufficient here. A typical employee in such an environment must master not only technical know-how but also another rare skill: stress resistance. Without patience and mental strength, work can hardly be successful. There is simply no turning back after a failed attempt. Not everyone is suited for this demanding task; therefore, we spend a long time selecting suitable personnel.

What might the cleanroom of the future look like in ten years?

KJM: More complex, definitely more complicated. Hardware like HDDs is being developed today with higher capacities and ever-increasing speeds; platters and head surfaces have become much more sensitive. This requires careful handling of current storage media, but certainly even more so for those we will encounter in the coming years.

Ms. Haensel: What role do partners and service providers play in data recovery?

SH: "We select very carefully but also have clear goals. This year, we aim to grow our partner network to up to 5,500. These include IT service providers, IT resellers, IT specialists, system houses, and IT workshops from the DACH and Benelux regions. Most of our partners' customers find it very convenient to get a complete data recovery solution from a single source. The advantage of the partner channel: the customer isn't sent from one to another, and Stellar partners offer more IT services with an attractive business model and always up-to-date hardware and technology expertise.

Mr. de Keijzer: Now that it's summer, what data mishaps tend to increase in June/July/August?

JdK: The classic is: mobile phone dropped into water! However, we've been noticing an increase in RAID systems that we can't explain. Perhaps, IT departments use the summer break to tidy up quietly, and then it becomes apparent that a hard drive no longer works… An interesting question, which we will definitely look into further.

Thank you very much for the conversation. (Gret Beccard, trade journalist for business and technology topics in D/A/CH)