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