For a long time in the computer industry, large companies have used outside companies to store copies of their data as a backup in case of a computer disaster. Now the accessibility of adequate bandwidth, and the increased needs of small business and home computers, has resulted in a growth of companies that will upload the data that you select at the intervals you choose and store those copies until you need them to restore damaged files. How do you know if you need such a company and how do you select the right one?
Under Lock and Key
The first decision is whether your files are necessary enough to call for off-site storage. Most home computers can archive old files on DVD’s or by printing them out on hard copies and filing them the old fashioned way. Current files can also be saved on DVD’s or a USB storage device and updated as needed. Some home computers are used for small, home-based businesses or to keep the research and works-in-progress for college students. These needs may demand the services of a data storage company. Records of customers, suppliers and the company’s books all need to be backed up in a reliable way.
While this can be done in the same way that the basic home files are, the data storage company has some advantages. Most important is the fact that the records may be lost because of a destructive event such as flood or fire. In a case like that, having your important records saved in a distant, safe, server can make all the difference. As soon as you have a working computer again, the records can be downloaded from the data storage company quickly and ready for action.
With the rapid growth of this new market, you will need to do a little research to find just the right data storage company for you. Most companies base their price on the amount of data to be stored, the number of computers to be backed up, and the number of file versions to be kept. For a small business, this may mean a fair size of files, computers from more than one site, and several versions of all files. While the price of a data storage company may seem high at first, the savings begin to accumulate by avoiding the cost of an onsite dedicated server and the technical staff needed to care for it and perform the backups. You will also give yourself the peace of mind in knowing that all of your important information is backed up off-site.
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