Most enterprises understand the theory to have backup and disaster recovery systems in place. Theoretical knowledge, however, is one thing and the actual requirements are quite another. Many organizations that invest in backup and disaster recovery systems still find themselves in a bind when crunch time comes and their system fails, rendering their investment in their current system a waste.
When choosing a backup and disaster recovery system, it is important to think it through. Here are some practical tips to ensure the backup and disaster recovery system you choose will actually work and serve its purpose.
Opt for a flexible system. Do not settle on a backup system that is “good enough” for a particular file type, has limited capacity, or would work only in a certain way. In today’s data-centric world, most organizations will need to backup multiple servers of varying file types, including data, text files, images, videos and more, on a regular basis. The amount of data that requires backup also varies considerably from day to day, depending on the nature of business operations. There may even be a need to vary backup time and duration, depending on business operations.- Consider the nature of the business and the external environment. Do not adopt a backup and disaster recovery system simply by looking at the features and functionality. The external environment has a big say on the type and nature of the backup system required. For instance, an area subject to frequent power outages or natural calamities such as thunderstorms would require a much more robust data recovery system than perhaps what the volume of business or “criticalness” of the data may warrant. An area prone to hurricane damage or flooding may require backup storage in an external cloud as a necessity rather than a choice. In short, ensure that the backup system is not just easy-to-use, but also dependable for your external environment.
- Ensure the system is scalable. All organizations eventually grow out of their backup systems. When this happens, the system you have in place should be scalable. Trying to migrate to a new system can cause serious disruptions to operations and even erode the competitiveness of the organization.
- Ensure a high level of automation. Labor intensive backup systems are sure to fail. While backup and recovery systems do not contribute to the bottom line, the upfront expenditure and setup is an investment in data insurance. The solution you choose and the people you appoint to manage that solution are crucial to this decision; make sure to choose a solution that will allow automated processes to save lower costs over time.
- Do not underestimate installation. The best backup and recovery solution integrates seamlessly with existing systems, with minimal changes and intrusion. Forcing a complete overhaul of the way the business works simply to accommodate a new backup system is a recipe for disaster.
STORServer’s Enterprise Backup Appliance offers a reliable and easy-to-use backup and recovery system. The system is fully automated, works smoothly, and does not demand many resources or attention from system administrators. STORServer offers timely and relevant technical support to go with the solution so you don’t have to do everything yourself. Contact us today to learn more about our backup and disaster recovery solutions.
