| e proliferation of computers and computer networks | | | | procedures and recover the data. |
| in business, the demand for various incidental services | | | | On the other hand, if such systematic procedures are |
| is increasing. Data recovery service is one such | | | | not in place, in-house data recovery attempts can |
| incidental service. | | | | aggravate the problem. Data that might be |
| If you can organize the necessary facilities and | | | | recoverable by expert agencies might become |
| technical know-how, data recovery services is a | | | | completely unrecoverable if amateurish attempts are |
| good business opportunity. | | | | made. |
| The Context | | | | Professional data recovery agencies would typically |
| Data means the information recorded on various | | | | have Class 100 or higher Clean Rooms that are both |
| computer storage devices, such as hard disks and | | | | dust-particles-free and climate controlled. Even minute |
| different types of removable storage devices. The | | | | dust particles can damage the data on a densely |
| recorded information includes customer details, | | | | packed high-capacity storage disk. Humidity and high |
| invoices, correspondence, product specifications, | | | | temperatures can also cause problems. |
| process flow charts, contracts and so on. | | | | Professional agencies would capture the raw image |
| It would be evident that such data constitute an | | | | left on the damaged disk onto a new media, and |
| important asset that is absolutely essential for | | | | work with these. They might use different |
| smooth operation of the business. Storing them on | | | | approaches such as: |
| paper in the traditional manner makes subsequent | | | | Using data recovery software to make the data |
| retrieval extremely inefficient and costly in terms of | | | | readable again |
| both time and money. Hence the increasing adoption | | | | Replacing any damaged components of the storage |
| of computer media to store them. | | | | media |
| How Data Gets Lost | | | | Rebuilding the data using the logic that was used to |
| Data recorded on computer media can get lost in | | | | record it |
| different ways. Typical examples include: | | | | It would be apparent that relevant technical |
| Human Errors such as accidental erasure of data or | | | | knowledge is essential for professional data recovery. |
| careless performance of administrative routines | | | | You need full familiarity with the physical processes |
| System Crashes caused by software bugs or | | | | involved in recording to the media, the device |
| hardware problems | | | | components and the recording logic. |
| Power Supply Problems that can corrupt the file | | | | The above kind of familiarity is needed not with just |
| system and make the data unreadable | | | | a "universal standard" (if such a thing exists). Instead, |
| Misplacing Removable Media such as CD/DVD and | | | | you might be called upon to work with different |
| Flash Disks | | | | kinds of media from the old-generation low capacity |
| Pilferage of removable media or portable computer | | | | hard disks and floppy disks to the latest very high |
| systems | | | | capacity media and complex systems like RAID. The |
| Viruses and Hackers can damage or even completely | | | | recording formats have also been evolving from |
| wipe out data recorded on hard disks and other | | | | ancient 8 bit systems to modern 64 bit |
| media | | | | ones.organizing a Data Recovery Service Business |
| Natural Disasters like fires, floods and building crashes | | | | The following steps should ensure that your data |
| It is clear that the risk of data loss is something that | | | | recovery business will have the best prospects for |
| cannot be ignored. | | | | success. The first three issues are critical; the last |
| Impact of Data Loss | | | | two become relevant only if you can handle the first |
| The impact of data loss can be crippling to an | | | | three. |
| organization. Imagine a scenario where you lose | | | | Technical Know-How: As discussed in this article, very |
| customer data. You might not be able to ship | | | | specialized know-how is required to handle the varied |
| merchandise against orders, or bill for merchandise | | | | types of data recovery assignments. Can you |
| already shipped. Loss of accounts receivable data can | | | | organize experienced technicians to handle the |
| mean that you do not know how much money is | | | | assignments? |
| due from whom. Day-to-day operations can thus be | | | | Marketing Plan: How are you going to persuade |
| severely crippled. | | | | prospective customers to let you handle data |
| The traditional response to data loss is to reconstruct | | | | recovery assignments? The best option is to develop |
| the lost data from original documents. Again, you can | | | | an offer that is more convenient for the customers |
| imagine the costs and problems that would typically | | | | to access, and is also a better value for money. Then |
| be involved. The original documents might not be | | | | present this in a manner that will carry conviction |
| easily traceable if they relate to past months and | | | | with your particular prospects. |
| years. Even if they are traceable, retrieving and | | | | Financial Resources: You need facilities like a Clean |
| arranging them, not to mention keying in the data | | | | Room and equipment to carry out the assignments. |
| from them, is going to be a time-consuming and | | | | You also need to pay expensive technicians. Then |
| expensive proposition. And after all the effort, data | | | | there are several other one-time and recurring |
| can be inaccurate owing to numerous human errors | | | | expenses. Estimate these and decide how you will |
| caused by the haste with which the exercise needs | | | | raise the finance. |
| to be carried out. | | | | Customers: Are there a large enough number of |
| It is in such a context that the alternative of data | | | | business computer users in your market? Try to |
| recovery from the original computer media becomes | | | | make a list. Find out whether data loss is a significant |
| important. This alternative is available if the storage | | | | problem and whether your prospects use outside |
| media have not been lost. | | | | data recovery services. |
| What Does Data Recovery Involve? | | | | Competition: Find out who provides data recovery |
| Data recovery need not always involve utilizing the | | | | services to customers in your market. What do they |
| services of an outside agency. Where systematic | | | | charge? Do your prospective customers find it |
| backup procedures are in place, it is also quite likely | | | | inconvenient to avail their services? Are there any |
| that systematic data recovery procedures would also | | | | dissatisfactions? |
| be available. In-house staff can follow these | | | | |