| businesses generate a huge amount of data. | | | | integrated local and remote backup solution offers |
| Customer lists, expense reports, market research, | | | | the most protection. If something happens to the |
| emails, and tax information-the list is endless. Federal | | | | local backup you can turn to the remote one and |
| law mandates that much of it be archived so that it | | | | vice versa. |
| can be readily accessed in case of a legal dispute or | | | | Another option is to hire a company to store your |
| federal investigation, and even data that | | | | data for you. This type of data storage solution can |
| doesn’t need to be kept by law may be | | | | be both space and cost effective because the data |
| material you’d like to keep. So what do you | | | | resides with the storage company rather than on |
| do with all that data? Fortunately there are a variety | | | | site, eliminating the need for servers and other |
| of storage solutions available. Before you decide | | | | equipment. It’s important to do your research |
| where to store it, you need to look at how. Storing | | | | carefully before choosing a company. Check them |
| as much of your data digitally as possible is the way | | | | out with the Better Business Bureau and try to get |
| to go. Document scanners and OCR (Optical | | | | references. The last thing you want is to choose a |
| Character Recognition) technology can help you easily | | | | company that disappears with your data, loses it, or |
| accomplish that. There are also business card | | | | has constant technical problems. Make sure accessing |
| scanners that your employees can use to easy | | | | your data when you need it will be as hassle-free as |
| create and store contact lists that are simple to | | | | possible and that it will be kept secure at all times. |
| update. | | | | A good document storage company can help you |
| Storing data onsite generally requires ample server | | | | get your company set up with the right document |
| space and a reliable backup solution. Backups can be | | | | management software and may even provide |
| made to tape, disc, or other physical, removable | | | | services such as scanner rental. Since they’ll |
| media or they can be made to a remote server. | | | | be handling your company’s critical and |
| Even if you choose to back up onsite with removable | | | | sensitive data it’s important to choose a |
| media, it’s a very good idea to keep a copy | | | | company you can trust. Don’t be afraid to |
| of the backups offsite as added protection. A | | | | ask lots of questions and compare companies and |
| storage locker or safe deposit box will do, or | | | | their services to make sure you are getting exactly |
| webspace can be purchased from a hosting | | | | what your company needs and getting your |
| company. This will insure your data is safe in the | | | | money’s worth. Don’t hesitate-money |
| event of a fire, flood, or other disaster. When storing | | | | spent on a good document storage solution is money |
| and backing up data, having a layered solution is best. | | | | well spent. |
| Servers and media can, and do, fail so having an | | | | |