Any business that handles data and stored information know the costs for data backup. With the new global economy and digital age, retaining years worth of client information, customer accounts, medical records, sales transactions, account histories, or any other mission-critical pieces of information carries a significant price tag. Lowering the cost of data storage confers a direct benefit to the bottom line of any business.
Today’s best option for cost-effective IT managed services and data storage is remote backup services. Utilizing remote storage facilities provides five significant benefits to traditional on-site tape backups. First, remote storage systems are highly reliable by functioning as a central data hub that is easy to access, maintain, and duplicate. Remote backup services also utilized low-cost mass storage media and automated IT managed services to reduce per-MB storage costs. Stored data is secured through encryption and industry best practices for security routines maintained by specialized IT firms. Information access becomes more flexible due to having a single access point without having to hunt down tapes. Finally, data is compressed, and duplicate data is removed when files are placed on a single stored media, reducing bandwidth and storage footprint.
Reliability
Data systems are only as effective as they are reliable. Having data readily available when it is needed is paramount for seizing business opportunities. Lost data can cost companies dearly in missing income and extensive recovery costs or government fees for federally mandated archival information.
Remote backup services operate automatically to store data on a routine, scheduled basis, creating comprehensive data images. Notifications are automatically generated for failed backup sessions to draw attention from support staff. Recent photos are saved on disk for instant retrieval, and long-term archival data is routed through a single access point, guaranteeing that data can be found when needed.
Cost Structures
After reliability, reducing the storage costs for data archival is essential to implementing effective backup systems. In-house storage systems comprise a high price for capital investment in hardware, storage space for servers and tapes, overhead for maintenance equipment and personnel, and operating expenses for each time a new image is written to tape.
Remote backup services remove the need for capital outlays and physical space. Data backup routines automate the backup process to lower operating costs and eliminate overhead in support personnel and equipment maintenance and upgrades.
Utilizing remote services from IT-focused technology firms also gives every client access to data storage best practices. Any company can benefit from the latest advances in hardware, software, and procedures automatically through a subscription-based. IT managed services; all focused on reducing storage costs.
Securing Data
Data security is paramount in today’s business climate. Sensitive data is targeted by identity thieves and can be susceptible to vandalism as well. The need for secure data has been punctuated by several high profile cases in the news.
Data encryption during transmission and storage ensures privacy for sensitive data. There is no need for secure lockup of physical tapes. Just as cost efficiencies can be disseminated through specialized IT firms, so can the latest security procedures. Remote backup service firms take security methods as part of their primary business, meaning their clients do not have to attempt to do so as well.
Data Flexibility
Whether it is ten days or ten years old, mission-critical data requires a high degree of accessibility to offer the flexibility needed to meet business opportunities. Remote backup services are accessed through a single point via an internet connection. Rather than hunt down tapes, the data is ready for any end-user to retrieve quickly. Having data available at one’s fingertips allows every employee to focus their attention on their objectives rather than technology or call for IT support.
Reducing File Size
Another effective method for reducing data storage costs is to reduce the size footprint of stored information. Costs are typically metered per MB regardless of whether local or remote services are used, so a cost savings potential exists.
Remote backup services consolidate data onto a single source, allowing for data compression and the removal of duplicate information. Rather than saving everything on a computer, server, or Exchange folder periodically, only new or updated files and emails are added to storage. This directly translates into lower costs and faster data recovery.
Remote backup services, ultimately, offer cost-effective, secure, and reliable data storage options that any company can take advantage of without lengthy lead times and capital expenses.