Data backups have been around almost as long as data storage. The idea of a backup is simple. Have another copy of your information in case it becomes corrupt. If your data wasn’t valuable, you wouldn’t have it. So how do you protect it and how do you restore something should you need it?
Here are some common IT solutions and the pros and cons of each.
Backups on their computer using an external hard drive (or similar):
- PRO: Cheap, Easy to Setup, Requires minimal investment
- CON: May not be automated. Automated methods often fail and/or are setup incorrectly (missing key files). Not taken off site. Users may or may not know how to restore data.
Data stored on server and server uses ShadowCopy.
- PRO: One place to store data. User can restore files on their own without additional IT support.
- CON: Limited ShadowCopy storage on server limits how many prior versions of your file you can go back. Does not get the data off your server. Does not get the data offsite.
Data stored on server and server uses backup tapes.
- PRO: One place to store data.
- CON: Tapes often don’t get changed. Tapes often not taken off site (even though they should). Requires IT support staff to restore data. Tapes often don’t get replaced annually.
Data stored on server and server uses hard drive based backup system (i.e. NAS – Network Attached Storage)
- PRO: One place to store data.
- CON: Does not address the need to get data off site. Requires IT support staff to restore data.
PCS StoreIT(sm) – Cloud storage
- PRO: Configured on ALL machines. No capital (up front) cost. No ongoing software cost. No ongoing IT support cost. User can restore files on their own.
- CON: Monthly cost (although this will decline in time)
In today’s world Cloud Backup services on ALL computers is the clear winner (such as PCS StoreIT) please contact us for more information.
