What would you do if your business lost all of its critical data? With World Back-up Day on Sunday, now’s the time to think about it!
While 90 percent of business owners recognise the havoc that lost data would wreak on their business, 62 percent are using storage devices designed for every day consumer use, according to a survey commissioned by Buffalo.
“While tech savvy business owners get it, there remains a huge number who don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing a storage solution for their business, so they simply go with what they know from their consumer experience of storing photos, music, and movies,” says Boris Shen, national business manager of Buffalo Australia.
Just 10 percent of business owners interviewed said they use networked attached storage (NAS) devices, which offer more robust storage and built-in redundancy – if a backup fails, data can still be restored to a point in time.
Shen says that while external desktop and portable hard drives work for casual, every day use, they don’t offer any redundancy function on their own, while USBs and CDs are both easy to lose and prone to damage.
The problem, Shen believes, is a misconception that network storage solutions are expensive and difficult to set up.
“The technology has become easier to use and prices have come down significantly,” he says.
The survey also found that just 29 percent of respondents contact an IT specialist before making important data storage decisions for their business.
“SMBs overwhelmingly realise the importance of data storage, but they also need education on the risks involved with using inadequate solutions and guidance on what is the right solution for their needs,” Shen says.
Shen acknowledges that few SMBs have the resources to appoint a dedicated IT professional, so selecting the right easy to use storage solution is vital.
“Look for a system that is quick and simple to install, and easy to manage on an ongoing basis. The best NAS systems will have an intuitive user interface based on Windows, which most professionals should be able to navigate themselves,” he advises.
World back-up day is the perfect time to think about your business storage solution and make sure your critical data is safe!