USA India
Home Articles UserTV Press Releases Dictionary Books Education Careers B-Channels Resources Forums Blogs Classifieds
Monday 5 Jan, 2009
CU Web Register Login
Archives
PR Archives
 
  Submit an Article Articles Home
Search Articles
Articles >> Others
What is Online Backup Without Customer Support? Not much.
Posted by : Sarah Dworak | Thu, Feb 28 2008 | 09:02:47
Tags : backup,data recovery, data storage, data protection
Rating : 4/5
Comments (0) Views (2) Email Article Blogs Forums
Discuss Print Article Bookmarks
Add to More..
 

Consider the following scenario:

It’s after ten p.m.  You’ve stayed at work late to finish up a big presentation that could mean big things for your business.  You make a few final edits, hit save, and head home for a few hours of sleep. 

In the morning you come in energized and ready to give a killer presentation, but when you step off the elevator, you’re greeted by your frazzled secretary, Anne.  “Jack, we’ve got a major problem!” she says.  “The server crashed and we can’t get it back up and running!”  

Your stress level immediately goes through the roof.  You don’t need this now!  Your big meeting is only two hours away.  You take a deep breath and try to calm down.  You just need to focus on getting your data back, especially the presentation.  You saved your presentation on the company’s file server, which automatically backed up last night after you went home.  You’ll just call your backup company and restore the data to another machine.  Everything should be fine. 

You ask Anne to get your online backup service provider on the phone, ASAP!  Half an hour later, you stop by her desk.  “I’m sorry,” she says, “I haven’t been able to reach anyone yet.  I left a voicemail and put in an email request for support.  They’re supposed to respond within three hours.” 

You manage not to scream at her.  After all, it’s not her fault.  You were the one who decided to go with the $9.99 a month service so that you could save some money.  “Ok,” you say, “get our IT guy in here.”  “Sorry Jack, he’s in Bermuda,” is her reply.

There’s an hour left before you’re supposed to meet the potential client and deliver your presentation.  You decide to take matters into your own hands.  You’re a smart guy.  How hard can it be to recover one file?  Half an hour later, you think you’re close to figuring it out, but it’s still not working. 

You realize it’s time to throw in the towel.  “Anne,” you mutter, “Please call and cancel the meeting.  And tell them I’m very, very sorry...” 

“Sorry I chose the wrong online backup provider,” you think to yourself.
This is just one example of a scenario where customer support could have made all the difference.  Had Jack been able to reach someone on the phone right away, the situation could have gone from bad to better, rather than from bad to absolutely terrible.  As Jack discovered, having the right backup provider on your side is critical.

These days, most businesses are aware of the importance of protecting their critical data.  Unfortunately, many businesses only focus on the backup portion of the equation and don’t think about how things will play out when they need to recover data.   An online backup solution, where encrypted data is backed up and restored over the internet and stored in a secure, remote location, is a great option, but beware - not all online backup is created equal.

Some online backup providers offer services for a couple dollars a month, an attractive deal for businesses that are trying to keep costs to a minimum.  However, you should ask yourself the following:  If my monthly fee is barely enough to pay a customer support rep for an hour of work, how much support can I really expect to get from this provider?  Is this company even going to be in business tomorrow?  And how much will it cost me in the end if I can’t get my data back?

Support isn’t only related to incidents and emergencies, either.  Because online data backup often tends to be a “set it and forget it” type of scenario, users may have a false sense of security, thinking that everything is running smoothly, when in reality it may or may not be.  A good service will monitor backup activity to make sure that your backups are running properly and that your data will be there when you need to get it back.

Here are some things to look for in an online back up provider to ensure that you’ll receive the level of support your business needs:

-Live Support – Automated phone systems and voice recordings won’t help you recover your data.  You should be able to reach a knowledgeable, helpful support engineer every time you call. 

-24/7 Availability – Data loss can occur any time.  Sometimes you can’t wait until 8:00 a.m. to get your data back. 

-Immediate Response Time – In an emergency, you don’t have a moment to wait to recover your data, let alone the three hours that’s standard for some providers.

-Daily Monitoring – If no one is looking after your backups, how can you be sure they are working the way they should?   A provider should be focused on ensuring that your data is always protected. 

One provider that offers all of the above is Backup My Info!, a national online backup provider that has been serving small and midsized business since 2002.  At Backup My Info! we believe that there is nothing more important than supporting our customers every step of the way so that they no longer have to worry about whether or not their business is protected. 

We are available 24/7 for support, and our customer support engineers have the expertise needed to solve any of your backup issues, from a simple file restore to a restore of an entire system.  We’ve seen our share of situations like the one Jack faced, and each time we’ve been able to successfully and quickly restore our clients’ data, saving them from the painful consequences of data loss.  This is just one of the many reasons 100% of our clients would refer us to other businesses.

For more information on Backup My Info!, please go to www.backupmyinfo.com or call 866.444.BUMI.
 
 
 
Comments (0) Views (2) Email Article Blogs Forums
Discuss Print Article Bookmarks
Add to More..
 
View all | Recent | Popular | Community Recommended | Most Viewed | Today in Article
 
 
Archives by Date
 
 
 
2009
2008
2007
 
 
Copyright © 1994-2008 ComputerUser, Inc., All Rights Reserved All marks are trademarks of ComputerUser Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of ComputerUser, Inc. is prohibited.
About us | Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Legal | Trademark/Copyright | Awards | Advertise | Writer guidelines | Sitemap Html Xml | Contact | FAQ's | Feedback  | Link to us

Here are the topics we cover computer certification computer careers computer training computer games consulting data recovery data security digital entertainment emerging technology gadget reviews handheld computers hardware reviews home automation home networks home office how-to advice internet linux local companies local news local profiles macintosh mp3 players network security online music online security open-source small-business technology soho software reviews technology books technology dictionary vpn web site reviews wi-fi windows wireless technology tech articles tech news press releases tech dictionary education resources career solutions create your personal blog upload your videos become a writer usergroups special interest group SIG 3com cipts adobe adobe certified expert apc ncpi apple achds acpt acsa actc avaya bea 8.1 certified administrator 8.1 certified architect 8.1 certified developer 9 certified administrator bicsi rcdd checkpoint ccmse ccsa ccsa ngx ccse ccse ng plus with ai ccse ngx cisco access routing and lan switching ccda ccdp ccie ccip ccna ccnp ccnp old ccsp ccvp crmam ip communications optical proctored exams for validating knowledge sales specialist storage networking vpn and security wireless lan citrix cca 3.0 cca 4.0 cca 4.5 cca xp ccea 3.0 ccea 4.0 ccea xp ccia ciw ciw associate ciw certified instructor master ciw admin master ciw designer master ciw enterprise developer security analyst comptia a+ network+ security+ server+ computer associates ca cusa cuse cwna cwna cwsp dell eccouncil cea cep certified ethical hacker chfi e-commerce architect emc emc specialist implemenation technology foundations enterasys ese eta exam express exin exin itil extreme networks ena ens filemaker f7cd f8cd fortinet fortigate foundry cne fujitsu fujitsu guidance software ence hdi css hda hdm hdsa hitachi hitachi certified professional hp ais apc app aps ase certified systems developer csa cse master ase huawei hcne hyperion hcp ibm advanced deployment professional advanced technical expert application developer business process analyst certified administrator certified advanced system administrator certified advanced technical expert certified associate developer certified enterprise developer certified solution designer certified specialist certified systems expert database administrator db2 deployment professional enterprise developer eserver certified specialist ibm on demand business solution advisor solution designer solutions developer solutions expert storage administrator system administator iisfa cifi intel isaca cisa isc cissp sscp iseb itil ism cpm juniper jncia jncis legato lcaa lcea lotus clp lpi lpic level 1 lpic level 2 lpic level 3 macromedia mcafee mcdata csnd microsoft crm mbs mcad .net mcdba mcdst mcitp mcp mcpd mcsa longhorn mcsa 2003 mcsa 2008 mcsd .net mcse mcse 2000 security mcse 2000 to mcse 2003 upgrade mcse 2003 mcse 2003 messaging mcse 2003 security mcse 2008 mcts microsoft business solutions microsoft partner competency mile2 cnsa network appliance nac-na nac-nie naca nace nacp network general sniffer certified professional nokia nokia security administrator nortel ncde ncds ncse ncss ncts novell5 cna 5 cne 6 cna 6 cne 6.5 cne cne upgrade omg ocup oracle 10g dba 10g oca 11i 8i dba 9i dba 9i internet application developer oca ocp8 to ocp8i dba upgrade exam pmi project management professional polycom pcve redhat rhce rhct sair sas institute sas scp saas scp snia snia certified architect snia certified professional snia certified systems engineer snia storage networking certification program administrator professional associate symantec scse scsp scta scts teradata tca v2r5 tcad v2r5 tcda v2r5 tcis v2r5 tcm v2r5 tcp v2r5 tia ccnt ctp tibco tcp trusecure ticsa veritas infraguard chamber of commerce vcp vmware certified professional webex linkedin facebook myspace Professional page layout, image editing, vector illustration, and print production Website design, development, prototyping, and blogging Creation of rich interactive content Industry-standard visual effects and motion graphics Video capture, editing, and production; DVD titling; and digital audio, Adobe Photoshop CS3 extended, Adobe illustrator CS3,Adobe indesign CS3,Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional, Adobe Flash CS3 Professional, Adobe Dreamweaver CS3,Adobe Contribute CS3,Adobe Fireworks CS3,Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional, Adobe Premiere Pro CS3,Adobe Soundbooth CS3,Adobe Encore CS3,Adobe OnLocation,Adobe Bridge CS3,Adobe Version Cue CS3,Adobe Device Central CS3,Adobe Stock Photos, Intel Pentium 4 (1.4GHz processor for DV; 3.4GHz processor for HDV), Intel Centrino, Intel Xeon, (dual 2.8GHz processors for HD), or Intel Core, Duo (or compatible) processor; SSE2-enabled processor required for AMD systems Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions) 1GB of RAM for DV; 2GB of RAM for HDV and HD; more RAM recommended when running multiple components 10GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation) Dedicated 7,200 RPM hard drive for DV and HDV editing; striped disk array storage (RAID 0) for HD; SCSI disk subsystem preferred Microsoft DirectX compatible sound card (multichannel ASIO-compatible sound card recommended),1,280x1,024 monitor resolution with 32-bit color adapter Blu-ray burner required for Blu-ray Disc creation OHCI compatible IEEE 1394 port for DV and HDV capture, export to tape, and transmit to DV device QuickTime 7.1.2 software required to use QuickTime features Broadband Internet connection required for Adobe Stock Photos* and other services

3PAR, Accellion, Acronis, Actional, Active Endpoints, ActiveGrid, activePDF, ActiveServers, ActiveState, Actuate, Adaptec, Agile Software, AGiLiENCE, Agilysys, Akorri, AlachiSoft, Alter Logic, Altor Networks, Altova, AMD, AMDAHL, Amentra, Amyuni, anacubis, Apani, APC, Appcelerator, AppSense, AppStream, Array Networks, Ascential, Astaro, Attune Systems, Autodesk, AutoVirt, Availl, Avanade, Azul Systems, Barracuda Networks, BEA Systems, B-hive, Black Duck Software, Blackbaud, Blade Network Technologies, Blue Coat, Blue Lane, BlueArc, BlueNote Networks, BluePheonix Solutions, BMC Software, Borland, Bristol Technology, Brix Networks, BroadVision, Brocade, Burton Group, Business Objects, CA, CalAmp, Cassatt, Cast Iron Systems, Catbird, Cayenne Technologies, Ceedo Technologies, Cenzic, Certeon, CiRBA, Cisco Systems, Cision, Citrix Systems, ClearApp, ClearCube Technology, CollabNet, Compass America, Composite Software, Compugen, Compuware, Configuresoft, Continuity Software, Coraid, Courion, Coyote Point Systems, Crescendo Networks, CSC, DataCore, DataSynapse, Dell, Desktone, Digipede Technologies, Double-Take Software, Ecora Software, EDS, eG Innovations, Egenera, Elastra Corporation, Electric Cloud, Embotics, EMC Corporation, Emulex, Endeavors Technology, Enigmatic Corporation, Enterprise Management Associates, Entuity, EqualLogic, Ericom Software, ESRI, EVault, eXludus Technologies, F5 Networks, FalconStor, FastScale Technology, Foedus, Force10 Networks, Fortisphere, Forum Systems, Fujitsu, GemStone Systems, Getronics, GlassHouse, Green Hills Software, Grid Dynamics, GridGain Systems, GT Software, Hitachi, HP, Hyper9, Hyperic, IBM, ICEsoft, IGEL Technology, Illumita, ILOG, IMEX Research, Information Builders, Ingres, InstallFree, Integrien, Intel, Intellium, International Computerware, iTKO LISA, JBoss, Juniper, KACE, Kidaro, LeftHand Networks, Leostream, Lifeboat Distribution, Liquid Computing Corporation, Liquid Technology, Lynux Works, Mainline, ManageIQ, Managed Methods, ManageSoft, Marathon Technologies, McAfee, Mellanox Technologies, Microsoft, Mid-Atlantic Computers, Mindbridge Software, Mindreef, MKS, MonoSphere, Motorola, MQSoftware, mySoftIT, NASTEL, Ncomputing, NEC, Neocleus, NeoPath Networks, Neoware, NetApp, Netegrity, Neterion, Netuitive, Neverfail, Nexaweb, NextAxiom, Nimbus, Nimsoft, Niyuta, NoMachine, Novell, ONStor, Opalis Software, Open Kernel Labs, OpenSpan, OPNET Technologies, Optaros, OpTier, Oracle, Pano Logic, Parallels, Parasoft, Perforce Software, PHD Technologies, Phoenix Technologies, Phurnace Software, Pillar Data Systems, PlateSpin/Novell, Progress Software, Prolifics, ProSync Technology, Provision Networks, QLogic, Quest Software, Racemi, Raritan, Raxco Software, Red Hat, Reflex Security, Resolution Enterprises, RingCube Technologies, Riverbed Technology, Rogue Wave Software, RSA Security, Sagnet Solutions, SanDisk Corporation, SAP, SAVVIS, ScaleMP, Scalent Systems, Seanodes, Secure Command, Secure Computing, Sentillion, Shavlik Technologies, ServInt Internet Services, Silpion IT Solutions, SIMtone, Skytap, Skyway Software, Software AG, Sonasoft, SourceGear, Splunk, StackSafe, SteelEye Technology, StillSecure, StoneFly, Stonesoft, Stoneware, StoreVault, StrikeIron, STT WebOS, Sun Microsystems, SunGard, Supermicro Computer, Surgient, SWsoft, Sybase, Symantec, Systar, TBD Networks, Tenfold, TheInfoPro, Thinstall, Third Brigade, TIBCO Software, Tidal Software, Tideway Systems, TOA Solutions, TRANGO Virtual Processors, Trend Micro, Tresys Technology, Trigence, Tripwire, Ulteo, Unisys, United Devices, VaST Systems, VDIworks, VeeAm Software, Verari Systems, Verio, VeriSign, Vicom Computer Services, VirtenSys, Virtera, Virtual Iron, VirtualLogix, Virtugo Software, Virtutech, VisionCore, Vizioncore, VKernel, VMLogix, vmSight, VMware, Vordel, vThere-Sentillion, Vyatta, WaveMaker, Web Age Solutions, WSO2, Wyse Technology, XDS, XenoCode, Xiotech, xkoto, Xsigo Systems, Zenith Optemedia, Zeus Technology.