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Backing up computer can save your business
Published on Monday, Sep 08, 2008
If the answer is no, you are putting days, months or years of hard work at risk of being damaged or lost because of a computer malfunction, power failure or other unknowns.
It can happen quickly. Suddenly your hard drive starts making loud grinding noises and stops working. Your laptop is stolen or you simply push a wrong button. Computer viruses can make files vanish. The odds are that digital disasters will occur exactly at the time it is critical for the business that you retrieve vital information.
Technological dangers are common. You must be prepared to avoid them. Having backup files available in the event of trouble can be the difference between staying open or closing.
There are several ways to back up your business files. One simple method is to copy or ''burn'' your files to CDs. This works if you don't have large amounts of data to protect.
You also can back up your critical files to an external hard drive. Perhaps best of all, you can make a complete ''boot-able'' hard drive backup copy. If your primary hard drive fails, simply making the backup hard drive primary will immediately allow you to restore the whole computer without the necessity of rebuilding the operating system and all the applications.
Another option is to use a service that lets you back up your data over the Internet. Depending on the amount and type of data you need to save, you can use any one method or a combination.
The key is to make certain at least one set of files is kept in another secure location.
It helps to have a specific plan in place to protect your files. First, decide which files are critical to keeping the business operating. Choose a backup method and perform a full backup at least once a week.
Back up any critical data daily. To make sure the backup systems really work, test your backup files at least quarterly. Keep a full backup on site for convenience, but be sure to store one set far enough away as insurance that a disaster won't affect both locations.
You also can take advantage of a wide range of products designed to help busy small-business owners safeguard data. For example, HP at http://www.hp.com, Symantec at http://www.smallbiz.Symantec.com, and Imation at http://www.imation.com offer a line of backup hardware and software solutions. Their Web sites contain tips and guidance to help entrepreneurs match products and practices with their data.
If you need help, contact a computer professional. Ask for references and price quotes.
If you would like more information on this or other business-related subjects, contact Akron SCORE via the Internet at http://www.akronscore.org or by calling 330-379-3163. Services are free and confidential. SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Get the full article here.
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