| In today's business world, most of your company's | | | | huge amounts of data. |
| important data is likely stored on computer hard | | | | Also consider the duration of your backups and how |
| drives. From client contacts to invoices to employee | | | | often the backups will be deleted. Some companies |
| information, computers hold the key to enjoying | | | | will save only 10 to 12 of your backups and delete |
| smooth operations for everyday business | | | | the remaining data. This is fine if you rarely add new |
| transactions. That's why it's crucial for your business | | | | data. It can, however, be harmful to your business if |
| to implement some type of backup system, whether | | | | you frequently add and delete files. For example, let's |
| it's manually storing files on disks or using an online | | | | say you accidentally deleted a very important |
| backup service. Let's explore how online backups | | | | contract over a year ago and now need to retrieve |
| work and the benefits of using such a system. | | | | it. Your backup company did not keep those files so |
| What is it? | | | | you're at a total loss. An online backup company that |
| Online backup means storing your files on an external | | | | keeps your backups for several years would have |
| system through an online server. It's also referred to | | | | been able to retrieve the contract and save you |
| as "remote backup" because your data is placed in a | | | | from many headaches. |
| remote location...away from your place of business. | | | | An online backup service should provide worry-free |
| Some services will store your data in two or more | | | | organization of your data, with dated entries and |
| remote locations to ensure your files will be safe if | | | | searchable features in case you need to restore |
| one location were to suffer from a loss of systems. | | | | certain files. Some services will allow you to be |
| There is normally a charge for online storage of data | | | | selective in the files you wish to backup. You can |
| based on how much data you have, or how many | | | | include/exclude any file extensions you want. Also, be |
| computers you need to back up. Some services | | | | sure there's a feature to backup any files that were |
| offer backup for multiple systems at no extra | | | | left open at the time of backup so you won't |
| charge. | | | | accidentally lose important data. |
| Many companies choose online backup to save time | | | | Other features to consider include built-in cache |
| and money. It takes a great deal of effort and | | | | options, e-mail notifications of a successful online |
| expense to set up a sufficient backup system, | | | | backup, built-in proxy support for corporate clients, |
| especially for sophisticated business models. Imagine | | | | free tech support, free online backup licenses for |
| having to create a backup system and store data for | | | | multiple computers under your account, and free |
| hundreds of computers in a large business complex, | | | | backup storage for at least a couple of years or |
| or having to transport data to a remote physical | | | | more. Last, but certainly not least, choose an online |
| location on a daily basis. If your company depends | | | | backup service that's experienced and focused on |
| exclusively on computers, one mess-up could mean a | | | | your company's security. Don't hire a fly-by-night |
| total loss of data. Allowing a service to handle this | | | | company to store your important data. Look for a |
| aspect of business can offer peace of mind as well | | | | company that has been around a while, with proven |
| as save your company money in the long term. | | | | integrity and upstanding client references. |
| Features to Consider | | | | With a dependable online backup system in place, |
| Online backup services vary in charges, and some | | | | you won't have to worry in the event something |
| offer more benefits than others. Compare how much | | | | happens to destroy your company's data. Whether it |
| online storage each offers and the pricing. Compare | | | | is a virus, natural disaster, fire, or a serious computer |
| the amount of space by "gigabytes" and look for the | | | | malfunction... nothing can replace peace of mind! |
| most space for your money if you need to store | | | | |