The Advantages Of Online Backup: Why Is It Better Than Local Backup?

It is known to all that backing up mission critical data is the key to success of an organisation. However, many companies still decide to back up data locally in order to save money. There is nothing wrong with this decision, if you look at it from a financial point of view. A few boxes of dual-layer DVDs or even an external hard drive or two will cost much less than opting for the services of a rather expensive backup service provider. However, from the point of view of technicality and security, everything is wrong with this strategy.

External backup media, such as external hard disks, or optical discs, can easily get corrupted on prolonged storage. It does not matter if you keep DVDs locked up in a safe. Prolonged exposure to moist air is enough to harm the layer of dye inside the optical discs, leading to data corruption. External hard disks are not completely safe, either. No matter how safely you store these, one single accidental impact or static electric discharge is enough to make the data irretrievable.  

The best way to avoid such a disaster is to opt for an online backup service. Online backup can be of two types, one that you can set up locally, and another, where your files are stored online at some secured server hosted and maintained by the service provider.

Local online backup servers are powerful, high end PCs with terabyte after terabyte of storage space. These PCs are not used for any other purpose except data storage. Some backup software is installed in all the PCs, which keeps backing up files as the users work. The backup is absolutely transparent to the users; they do not have to do anything about it.

The only drawback is that these servers are often very expensive to set up. You will need to enlist the help of a sufficiently qualified system administrator to make sure that the server is maintained properly. Also, in case of a natural calamity or an accident at your workplace, the server will be affected along with all the other systems. If you wish to avoid this inconvenience and expense, it is best to opt for a third party backup service provider.

Backup service providers usually have secure servers for keeping backups of user data. The service may be provided either free of cost, or for an annual fee. The provider takes care of everything – be it providing security for the stored data, or taking backups periodically. There are several good providers who offer backup services at reasonable rates. If you are not confident about maintaining backups of your data internally, it is best to employ a specialist company.

How To Choose Your Desktop Support Provider

Outsourcing your desktop support tasks to an external service provider is certainly a logical business decision in these times of economic recession. Most desktop support providers try to deliver as flawless service as possible to their clients, but undoubtedly, their capabilities vary. That's why it is essential to screen your prospective service providers before handing over the service contract to them. Here is how you can verify whether your chosen organisation is the right one for you.

1.Ask about qualifications of support staff: When you are approaching a service provider organisation, be sure to inquire about the qualifications of the members of their support teams. In order to be able to provide the best possible service, these organisations must have personnel with sufficient technical qualification. Do not be embarrassed to ask this directly. If they are being defensive about this enquiry, reconsider hiring them at all.

2.Inquire about response time: Ask them how fast they will be able to attend to your problems. For example, a 4 hour response SLA means that they will respond to your problem within a time period of four hours, counted from the time you make the call for support.

3.Ask for a long term personal contact: Ask whether they will be able to spare at least one person to be a dedicated resource working on your systems. It is even better if that person is a senior employee. That way, you will always have someone at hand who knows everything about your systems, and who can also guide other junior employees when they work on your systems. This will ensure that problems get fixed faster, with minimum downtime.

4.Find out about helpdesk/ remote support services: Ask whether they have a helpdesk to attend to problems via remote terminal. If the provider has good help desk with technically qualified employees, it will ensure that they can solve your problems from their offices. Then they will not have to send someone down to your business facilities every time a problem arises.

5.Do a background check: Always ask for references, and follow up on those leads. Ask the provider whether they have provided service to any major business organisation that is still operational. Visit the offices of that organisation or send someone over to verify the provider's claims.