| Software used to run your business can be | | | | should also make sure you create your backup |
| reloaded either locally or through your | | | | files on what is termed reliable media. While |
| business network in the event of a crash of | | | | compact disks are inexpensive and easily |
| your system. However, daily transactions or | | | | made, they do have a limited shelf life and |
| business correspondence will be lost unless | | | | many times you may find the disk is |
| you have data backup systems that will save | | | | unreadable. More often people are using tape |
| that information daily. No matter the type of | | | | drive data backup systems to store their |
| business you are in, if you use your computer | | | | important files. Once created the tapes will |
| system extensively to take care of business, | | | | last virtually forever and can be stored off |
| any disruption of your system can be a | | | | site easily with minimal space. Although a |
| debilitating experience. Fire, flood or other | | | | tape storage system can be expensive, it may |
| natural disaster can wipe out your records in | | | | be worth the investment. Especially for large |
| the blink of an eye. Having data backup | | | | daily files as tapes are available that can |
| systems with a copy of all irreplaceable | | | | hold over a terra-byte of information. When |
| records maintained off site will allow you to | | | | you file your tapes or compact disks, if for |
| restore your business records and get you | | | | some reason you have no business on a given |
| back on track quickly. Whether you use disk | | | | day and no backup media is made, you should |
| storage, tape storage or online data backup | | | | put a note in with your materials so that |
| systems having everything that cannot be | | | | five years from now, if needed, you will not |
| easily recreated saved away from the business | | | | be going crazy looking for a tape or disk |
| is an important part of you safety net. Just | | | | that never existed in the first place. |
| like you carry property insurance, having | | | | Otherwise each tape or disk should be marked |
| data backup systems just in case, is equally | | | | with the date clearly visible that |
| important to your business's future. Keep | | | | encompasses the information on the media. |
| Backup Files In Safe Location Any of your | | | | |
| files that have been updated or changed will | | | | Simon Peters is the owner of On Data Backup, |
| need to be sent to your data backup systems, | | | | it is THE best source for advice on the |
| and al information, regardless of how minor | | | | subject on backing up your data, nothing to |
| it may be, should be backed up daily. You | | | | sell, just information . . . |