| Although businesses realize the severe loss | | | | only the most current document as an asset. In most |
| associated with losing their data, a surprising majority | | | | cases, having only the most current document is all |
| still aren't backing up. Most people have good | | | | that matters. However, many businesses require |
| intentions of implementing some sort of backup | | | | 'snapshots' of various documents throughout their |
| service, but aren't entirely sure where to begin. Here | | | | lifespan and a tape library is an excellent way to |
| we'll take a comparative look at 3 types of | | | | accomplish this. With a tape backup drive, you can |
| information backup plans: direct access storage, tape | | | | look back on a document such as a customer |
| backup drives, and online storage. | | | | contract during different stages of its development |
| Direct Attached Storage: | | | | to look for critical variations. |
| The best thing about direct attached storage is that | | | | Online Data Backup: |
| it's easy to access the information if your main drive | | | | Online data backup services can cost $1500 per year |
| is lost. Data in its correct form can be accessed right | | | | on the low end for just one Window based |
| from the direct attached storage drive and you can | | | | computer. While convenient, the cost may not be |
| quickly go on with you life. | | | | justifiable for many small businesses who can buy a |
| For most small to medium sized businesses, a direct | | | | tape backup drive or a direct access storage drive |
| access storage unit is the most logical option. The | | | | for a fraction of the yearly cost of an online service. |
| backups can be scheduled to occur automatically and | | | | Also, you'll want to do a good deal of investigation as |
| do their job consistently and regularly without the | | | | to how safe your data actually is. |
| need for a person to manage it full time. The size of | | | | The obvious benefit to an online service is that the |
| a direct access storage unit is often plenty of room | | | | data is being stored outside of the office and better |
| for a small to midsized business. | | | | dispersed. In the event of a fire, it's best to have |
| Tape Backup Drives: | | | | your data in multiple locations so to reduce risk. |
| There are 3 main benefits to keeping a tape library | | | | However, this can also be achieved by storing tape |
| with a tape backup drive. | | | | libraries in a remote location or fire resistant safe. |
| Off Site Storage - The first benefit is that the data | | | | Because each business is different, there is no one |
| can be stored off site to reduce risk of loss of both | | | | right way to handle information backup. Companies |
| your primary data and your backup data due to fire, | | | | who specialize in backup products can be a great |
| flooding, or other natural disasters. | | | | source for information and consultation as to which |
| Unlimited Storage Capacity - For businesses that | | | | type of backup system to choose. If you're not |
| have a great deal of data, not using tape backup | | | | backing up your information now, make it a goal to |
| drives means filling up numerous hard disks, which | | | | have a system implemented by the end of the |
| doesn't make sense economically. Instead of | | | | month. It's a natural tendency to put off |
| purchasing a new storage unit each time the drive is | | | | preventative measures as long as everything is fine |
| full, a new tape can be placed into the existing | | | | today. Once you implement a system it can, for the |
| hardware and the full tape can be added to the tape | | | | most part run on its own and you'll be back to |
| library. | | | | business as usual with an even greater sense of |
| Chronological Records - Direct access storage and | | | | security. |
| online storage solutions often present the storage of | | | | |