Why you need to backup

March 21st, 2009

Need For Backup

"Such a thing can never happen to me! It happens to others only!" So goes the mindset of most of us towards life in general. And the story with personal computers is not a tad bit different. In today's internet age a lot of our professional life and, to some extent, our personal life as well revolves around internet and computers. And hence this habit of taking things for granted although has rare but nonetheless serious repercussions when you lose your precious data.

Data is one of the most important aspects of our computer systems as you accumulate it after months and sometimes years of efforts. The probability of a failure is lower these days due to upcoming technologies and improved reliabilities. Still you don't want to risk your most coveted documents, music, emails, addresses, bookmarked sites, logs, software utilities, man hours of settings and customizations etc. In a flick of time you can get a personal feeling of emptiness without the data and a professional backlog in work.

Such loss might befall on an unprepared user by a spectrum of events such as hardware failure, software bugs, natural calamity, and accidents. Mishandling and sheer ignorance on user's part are also responsible for causing data loss. Though it is alleged that 90% of data losses are attributed to data corruption or user errors, other factors also pose a risk and apart from being a smart user, you should also go for data backup. Server backup is equally important for information systems which are mission critical, as in the corporate world, in production lines running 24/7, in global financial establishments, in academia, research, etc.

Traditionally PC backup procedures have been pretty demanding on time, money and efforts on the user's part. It being human nature to be lethargic towards such causes, the rescue lies in a system so convenient and flexible which eliminates intervention on her part towards such mundane jobs. And herein data backup service comes to your rescue!

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PC backup and server backup can save lots of hassles, business potential, time invested in creating data and wasted in recovering it, costs of data recovery, etc. Perhaps another very crucial thing for businesses is reliability and market image in eyes of customers, not to mention the importance of personal data to its owners. And data backup is the only cheap, fast and most prevalent way of saving data. It also provides fast, unattended recovery and integrity of saved data. Since backups can be stored in a different location from the original data, it is safe from physical accidents and natural calamities too.

Hence, if your data is critical for you, then the need of the hour is to avail a good PC backup service that meets your requirements and suits your budget.

  1. Scott Brison
    February 20th, 2007 at 20:38 | #1

    Collecting data from multiple servers can often be tricky. To get backup information without a backup reporting tool, you need to write a lot of shell/batch scripts or log in to as many servers as possible every day and manually check them.

    Complicating the problems of getting useful backup reporting data is that many environments have more than one backup product, significantly increasing reporting complexity. You may be in the painful process of converting from one backup system to another. Or maybe you have two backup products because one handles most tasks, and another is assigned to one particular platform or application. For example, you might use Computer Associates’ ARCserve or Syncsort’s Backup Express for your Windows servers, but another product for your Unix servers.

  2. Sam@ca
    April 30th, 2007 at 02:26 | #2

    A lot of people don't backup because of the cost, inconvenience and technical difficulties. The traditional backup is not friendly to consumers and small businesses. Even to big enterprises, it's a pain in the ass. You need to buy expensive backup devices and media, manually change tapes and move them offsite. You cannot connect each PC to the backup server without physically connect the PC in the same office. The USB external drive has helped in raising the awareness and importance of backup. More people are using USB backup than any other backup methods today. Recently, with the growing popularity of online backup, consumers and businesses are given a new backup strategy and from many point of view, it is the best backup method: (1) More convenient. You can backup and restore from anywhere, no need to carry any USB devices; (2) It's easier to setup and runs automatically no physical wiring at all, and cost is generally much lower than any traditional backup; (3) More reliable; as the backup data is stored offsite by some professional backup service companies.

  3. Jacky
    August 20th, 2007 at 04:01 | #3

    I have used DriveHQ Online Backup and other services for a few years now. I really like the service a lot. DriveHQ Online Backup can backup files & emails. Easy, secure, automatic. No device needed, works anywhere. It is the best alternative to traditional backup.
    - Schedule and real time backup,
    - supports incremental backup and resuming;
    - Backup, access and restore files remotely.
    - Group & business backup with multiple-PC support.
    - Customized website logo (view sample).
    – A lot more features.

  4. mithc sund
    March 17th, 2008 at 18:26 | #4

    Much of this seems to relate to U.S.A. online backup. Regulation on the far side of the Atlantic pont is tough and well implemented. Anyone considering backing up to or mirroring in the Euro zone should consider this U.K. online backup company. Http://www.backupanytime.com/contact.htm

  5. Anonymous
    May 6th, 2008 at 19:51 | #5

    I dont fully follow the angle of online backup being expensive. Many clients will actually save money as they can say goodbye to tapes, tape admin, tape fault resolution and tape restore consultation. If you have absolutely no data backup system in place then getting online backup or any other data backup system will cost money. If you currently use a backup system then online backup could save you money.

  6. cupiedwiceaph
    March 12th, 2009 at 12:05 | #6

    Hello all,

    Thought I would give everyone a brightful introduction to a savy single blonde mom. My name is Michelle and I like to meet locals in my area to network. I was browsing google today for various things I like, and I came across http://www.onlinebackupguide.com. I am new to this kind of thing so I hope I am right by posting in this. :)

    Thanks,
    Michelle

  7. Amy
    March 19th, 2009 at 02:37 | #7

    Great Article!

  8. Branden Jenkins
    March 28th, 2009 at 03:40 | #8

    Good information. Also check out eBackItUp.com (www.eBackItUp.com).

    Online backup service has a lot of features for business like Microsoft SQL & Exchange backup along with open file. The service is also very fast!

  9. April 1st, 2009 at 06:25 | #9

    I got a article which it said free new partition magic 3.5 is out, and changed name to EASEUS Partition Master, and it could backup partiton and disk. the home edition is free, but the professional edition is charged, after I seek, I find it’s basking in reflected glory, but it’s not bad, and I also get a way to get the charged frofessional edition by trialpay, , it could support my 64-bit Vista, great, share with you ~~~

  10. April 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 | #10

    It is true that online data backup services are gathering a lot of pace, there are indeed loads of new providers appearing on the market everyday. They all look the same, some with ridiculously low prices. BEWARE OF THIS! If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. If you’re choosing an online data provider ask them where their data centres are, and what level of security they impose. Usually these low end providers will be sufficient for backing up personal material like photos and music, but if you’re needing a backup provider for business data – you need reliability.

  11. Gerry_ERP_Pro
    April 22nd, 2009 at 17:57 | #11

    Good blog..

    Backups are THE mission critical IT task in all Enterprise Continuity efforts.
    Too many businesses today are doing teh local/SAN/NAS backups, but are beginning to neglect Tape/off-site rotations. That is not enough!

    With capacities exceeding most storage, still, and libraries that accommodate volume pairing – the capacity is the number of tapes times volume per cartridge.

  12. May 5th, 2009 at 19:57 | #12

    we use http://www.onlinebackupvault.com we are beyond estatic with their product. their corporate product and support for the product is amazing.
    their residential product is not their focus but is a pretty good product for most users. A neat feature of their software is the ability to create a local (onsite) in addition to offsite backup with the same software, as well as their in-delta backup technology. I spoke recently with their CTO Mr. Moti Mitteldorf who told me that shortly they will have a new release which will offer bare metal backup and restores.
    Anycase – as you can tell im a big fan of the product

  13. May 30th, 2009 at 17:41 | #13

    I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

  14. June 16th, 2009 at 08:10 | #14

    Sudden loss of data could be fatal… atleast for some people. Local backup is good but not capable to handle disastrous situation, hence online backup is recommended. I likes SOS and Mozy for the purpose.
    Good article, well written.

  15. June 19th, 2009 at 13:12 | #15

    I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

  16. bendermaster
    June 26th, 2009 at 16:08 | #16

    Aaah, games, they’ve taken so much of my precious lifetime already. I wonder if I’ll get a bonusgame when I die =P

  17. June 28th, 2009 at 23:41 | #17

    Thanks for this wonderful addition. Really enjoyed your article. Appreciate people taking the time to write quality work. The
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  18. Jack Wallace
    July 3rd, 2009 at 15:14 | #18

    I use Second Copy 7. It’s very easy to setup and runs in the background automatically. The best part is I can sync my laptop with desktop as well as backup to my external USB flash drive. I love it. The price just right – only $29.95.

  19. July 23rd, 2009 at 01:03 | #19

    Nice article. I love how you started it: “…can never happen to me!” Sadly, that IS how most people think, until they lose data or forget about the time they last did. While I agree that a backup service is a good option, I also recommend that users have at least one image backup so that they can quickly recover from a drive failure. To backup user files (word, excel, mp3, et al), I recommend an online backup service that works automatically. Our Backazon software (http://backazon.com) fills this part of a good backup plan.

  20. July 23rd, 2009 at 01:06 | #20

    Sorry – forgot to mention that I recommend Acronis (http://acronis.com) for image backups. I am not affiliated with Acronis.

  21. Muay thai shorts
    July 27th, 2009 at 01:08 | #21

    great ideas. I always follow your ideas and apply them.

    Just one question though. Have you made writing this blog as your profession or do you do this in your spare time?

    Just curious..

  22. Clemento
    August 3rd, 2009 at 02:32 | #22

    Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?

  23. August 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 | #23

    Hi,
    I see mentions of back up in Ireland. We can also assist with online backup all over Ireland at http://www.datatrust.ie.
    And for those that are too late, we can also offer data recovery at http://www.datarescue.ie !!

  24. alex
    August 21st, 2009 at 20:47 | #24

    You can try netcdp.com, nothing is easier than it.

    see some user review at:

    http://developer.amazonwebservices.com/connect/entry.jspa?externalID=2762

  25. online backup
    September 2nd, 2009 at 09:09 | #25

    hello,
    Nice article with some good ideas.

  26. Jacob_Walker
    October 26th, 2009 at 10:13 | #26

    By taking online backup you are storing your data on secured servers, and restore them safely, assuring access to your mobile data anytime, anywhere! Online backup is more reliable as chances of loosing your data are negligible.
    I recommend’BackupandShare.com’ for online backup. It is a great service for personal use or people looking for inexpensive online backup. It is very simple to use with features like incremental automatic and scheduled backup. It is a secured, easy-to-use online backup service that automatically keeps files and digital assets safe and easily accessible.
    With backupandShare Windows mobile backup solution comes free. No wonder they are the current topper in this business, check them out http://top10onlinebackup.com/.

  27. November 3rd, 2009 at 21:13 | #27

    I have used a couple agents Carbonite and then my own SAN with BackupSpace.com for all my enterprise servers.

  28. Payton_berry
    November 6th, 2009 at 08:44 | #28

    I think, the best way is to keep your data remotely with some trusted online backup service. I would not wish to take manual backups and maintain the drives; I find this procedure very tedious. There are many online backup services available now days which provide automatic, incremental scheduled backups. Such services are hasselfree and time saving.The best idea is to check their terms of use and privacy policies. My personal preference holds to BackupandShare.com, since its very simple to use and very reliable. I am using this service for last 6 months, no complaint so far.

  29. August 25th, 2010 at 19:19 | #29

    I protect my business data to Remote Data Backups, with over a decade of business-class online backup service. Reliable, easy-to-use software, underground mirrored data centers and free 24/7 phone support from U.S. techs.

  30. September 12th, 2010 at 17:18 | #30

    my partner and i authored somewhat a similar piece awhile ago, so i reckon great minds think alike ;)

  31. December 11th, 2010 at 13:30 | #31

    I recently open a business account with barclays and got a free account with Mosy really good

  32. December 29th, 2010 at 16:25 | #32

    Here is a great product for consideration. Rectiphy develops and markets cutting edge back-up and disaster recovery solutions for Microsoft Hyper-V, VM Ware, Citrix and other virtualized environments. Rectiphy’s new ActiveImage Protector for Hyper-V includes a first of its kind ReZoom feature which can restore just one (or some) Virtual Machine or Server instead of the standard, time consuming, complete restoration of all VMs .

  33. June 21st, 2011 at 11:25 | #33

    The importance of backing up data is highlighted by the affect it has on an orgnisation that suffers a disaster but does not backup its data;

    43% never reopen, 51% close within two years, and only 6% will survive long-term

    It’s definitely work backing up!

  34. October 25th, 2011 at 20:28 | #34

    I’m Andrew the community manager at Gobbler. We have built a cloud backup/transfer/organizational tool for the pro audio community called Gobbler. Check it out & let us know what you think. We are giving out free 25GB accounts in our beta!

    Andrew
    http://gobbler.com

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