Feb 03 2012

Online Backup – Can I Trust It?

Category: Online Backup — @ 3:06 am

Online backup is something that most of us need. You may have realized this already. But when you start thinking about using an online backup service yourself, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t have a few doubts.

After all, you are entrusting your money and your precious data to people who are total strangers to you. You can’t see them. In most cases you can’t speak to them (although some companies do operate a telephone support service.) You can’t see what is happening to your files. Nobody could blame you for chewing your nails a bit.

So what are the most common worries that people have about online backup?

How do I know my files are being backed up? You have paid your money but nothing much seems to be happening. How do you know that if you lost your data tomorrow, you could get it back? Most online backup services provide an icon on your computer desktop, which you can click at any time to check if backup is taking place. A good service will also allow you to log in and view all the files that are backed up, either from your computer or a different one.
How can I be sure that I can retrieve my files? This is a big one. Of course you hope that you will never lose your data and so have to find out the hard way. But half the point of using an online backup service is to give you peace of mind from knowing that if the worst happened, you would be able to retrieve your files. Your best plan is to “accidentally” delete a file, or more than one – not too essential – and then contact the online backup service to restore the data. You will find that most of the well-known online backup services do work very well, but reassuring yourself is very important.
What happens if my online backup service goes out of business? This is a perennial worry in this or any other field, especially in the current economic climate. Even well-established companies have no cast-iron guarantee against business failure. But every company should have a contingency plan for what would happen to your data if they were to go out of business – how to guarantee its security and safety. Your best plan is to askthem, before finally committing yourself.
How can I be certain that unauthorized people can’t get access to my confidential files? This can be a very daunting thought, especially as you hear rumors of some online backup services accessing people’s data and using it for marketing purposes. But every good online backup service nowadays has an encryption system in place. The files are encrypted beforebeing sent to the data storage center, and can only be decrypted with the decryption key provided by yourself – i.e. your password. So nobody can access your data, including the backup service itself.

These are all perfectly reasonable questions, and you should find that most online backup services will provide this information on their web site. If not, the time to ask them is before you confirm your purchase. If they won’t answer the question, or the answer isn’t satisfactory, choose another service. If you don’t trust the service, you won’t have peace of mind.

Tags: , ,

Jan 27 2012

An Online Backup Service Increases Data Availability

Category: Online Backup — @ 5:06 pm

According to analysts, organizations that lack online backup and recovery services are putting their infrastructures at risk. Most companies do not have the capacity to completely store everything they need to, and even those that do have the capacity don’t protect their critical data frequently enough. To make matters worse, continuously shrinking IT budgets are being consumed by the cost of backup storage. The practical solution to all three of these problems is an online backup service.

 

Capacity

Sometimes businesses are forced to delete files in order to make room for new ones. These storage limitations mean businesses need to make the tough choice between letting go of some of their data or compromising their bottom line, as they will be forced to buy more storage space every time they outgrow their current solutions.

One of the greatest benefits of an online backup service is that there are no limits in terms of capacity. In most cases, companies can simply notify their backup provider of their changing needs.

 

Frequency

These days, companies need to be able to access their critical data anywhere, at any time. Most backup systems do not protect the data frequently enough to support business operations 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Faster systems, such as online backup services, help complete backup jobs quickly and more effectively so that recovery is possible no matter when or where the data is accessed.

This is the single most important feature when it comes to data recoverability because it ensures that everything is there exactly when you need it.

 

Cost-effectiveness

Continuing to purchase data storage devices can quickly drain the IT budget of any company – large or small. Therefore, it is important to find a solution that is reliable and saves money. Cost-effectiveness is one of the main reasons business managers decide to use an online backup service. Not only is it less expensive to store data online, but it is easier to recover this way too.  And in today’s business world, time is money. Spending less of the IT budget on storing and recovering data frees up extra money for growing the business.

Tags: , , , , ,

Sep 24 2010

Online Backup – Reseller Information Inside

Category: Online Backup — @ 5:14 pm

Do you want to earn income from reselling online backup services? A lot of online money making opportunities are available nowadays, and reselling data backup services is one of them. In fact, the Internet backup industry is expected to grow for the coming years. Yes, this online business can benefit a lot of people, especially those who have the expertise in information technology.

However, people aspiring to become successful in this field should not just sit and wait for their money to grow. Reselling data backup services is just like other forms of business-you need to work hard, and you will be rewarded for that over time. Therefore, it is important that you know your responsibilities as an online data backup reseller before you can start with your online business.

Of course, the first item on your list should be choosing an online backup provider where you can work as a sales agent or join an affiliate program.

This data backup provider should enable you to sell its services under your own name and branding. It is better if you can find a company that allows full customization of its backup software without requiring you to purchase backup technologies.

Since Internet backup is a complicated process, you have to learn every details about it. It pays to be an expert in your own business. Why? Because your prospective customers will be asking you a lot of questions about the service you are offering. Your online business is doomed to failure if you are not prepared enough to meet the needs of your customers. If your online backup provider conducts trainings and meetings for their partners, then grab the opportunity. Do not miss their scheduled trainings.

Keep in mind that your knowledge about Internet backup is your greatest investment in your business.

Commitment is also an important ingredient to success. This means that you have to be committed in meeting your target sales.

If you are presently selling products and services to your clients, then your Internet backup provider may require you to have 100 or more existing clients and 200 or more former clients. This is to show to your provider that you are capable getting more clients and keeping your existing client base. You need to have your own website to be able to resell online backup services. Your website is where your customers will subscribe to your service. Your site should be user-friendly and easy to navigate so that your customer can easily pay and download the backup software. Aside from using your website as a platform for providing software, it can also be used to build and maintain your relationships with your customers.

While your Internet backup provider is there to support you with your income generating venture, you still need to do most activities by yourself. For example, you are responsible for providing technical support to your customers. You also have to create the pricing options and billing methods on your own. Now that you know what you need to do as an online backup service reseller, you can be sure that you will reap the benefits of this online money making opportunity.

Tags: , , , ,

Sep 08 2010

Online Backup – Its Different Features

Category: Online Backup — @ 8:34 pm

Online backup is also referred to as remote backup or managed backup. The name itself implies that this is a type of service giving end users the access to restore files using an online system. In computer parlance, online backup service providers are more popularly known as managed backup providers.

Online backup is made possible by creating a system that works on a daily schedule. The program used in the service allows collection, compression, encryption and transfer of data to the backup servers. These are the several features you must learn about.

There are different facets of online backup that simply makes it favorable for end-users. Some of the most common ones are:

- Online access to different files. Some of the most reputable online backup services include the chance to access files through the aid of a web browser. This is a very significant feature that any end user must consider with an online system.

- Data compression.

This is yet another important facet of remote backup. Compression is necessary to maximize disk space. The process is done with the help of the so-called lossless compression algorithms. A variation is known as the differential data compression used to minimize traffic in the network.

- Encryption. Encryption is important in order to prevent interception while data is transferred to the server. This type of encryption is known as transfer encryption. Another sub category is the end-to-end encryption where the encrypted data is stored in the server once the transmission process is accomplished. The client uses a generated key. This key prevents data recovery in the event that the client loses his key or password.

- Backup.

Obviously, this is the main feature of online backup services. It may be in the form of an opened file backup or it may also be a continuous backup. The opened file backup allows information technology administrators to use the services without any server downtime. Continuous backup on the other hand, makes use of tools that run only at a predetermined schedule.

Online backup starts to gain a name because of the several advantages it presents. It deviated from traditional backup systems and introduced a new concept in the world of computer and technology. The cost factors behind the process depend on several reasons as well.

Tags: , , ,

Aug 15 2010

Online Backup – How to Choose an Online Backup Provider

Category: Online Backup — @ 4:42 pm

Have you ever experienced losing your important files permanently because you failed to back them up? Those years you spent creating those files are all wasted. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to recover them. Thus, backing up files stored in computers is very important. You’ll never know when your files will suddenly disappear or will be damaged by viruses.

But using storage devices such as CDs or flash drives for backing up files is not enough. These storage media can be targets of virus infection, and they are difficult to use with multiple computers. Another problem with this method of backing up is that you may be too busy to remember that you need to back up your data. A better option is using an online backup service, which has become a well-known method of storing and retrieving files and data. Backing up files online makes perfect sense because it gives an assurance that your data is kept safe and secure in another location.

Many companies on the Internet offer online backup services, but only a few can meet your specific needs.

It’s because these online providers differ in the features they offer. Also, software programs can be free or can be purchased. Before you subscribe to an Internet backup service, it’s necessary to choose the backup service provider designed to suit your data storage needs.

When choosing the best Web backup provider, check the features that each provider offers. One of the most critical features you need to consider is storage space. Some providers offer services with unlimited storage space, while others offer just a little storage space. It depends on what you need. If it’s just for personal use, then a 2GB storage space may be more than enough.

Apparently, businesses need far more storage space for their data and files.

An equally important feature of a backup service is the length of time for keeping the archives. It’s best to ask online backup services how long they keep the backed up files in their archives and if they do so. Also, ask them if they make a distinction among the different versions of the same file in their archives. This will help you to know if you can retrieve a file that you accidentally deleted.

Internet backup providers whose services are compatible with both Windows and non-Windows computers are great choices. It’d be better if these providers allow subscribers to back up multiple computers with just one account. Additional features that make a good online backup service provider include network drive and mapped support, server OS support, and 24/7 customer service. For businesses, another good feature of a backup service provider is an administrative online console that can manage the backed up files of employees.

Spare yourself from the agony of losing precious files again by trusting the right backup service provider. Once you have chosen the best online backup service vendor, sign up and download its backup software. Just make sure that you have a high-speed Internet connection for a reliable service.

Tags: , , ,

« Previous Page — Next Page »