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Top 10 Benefits of Using Backup Services for Your Business

According to the latest statistics, 43% of businesses who experience data loss do not reopen after the loss. In addition, over one-third of all unplanned downtime is due to human error. With so much at stake, it is essential to consider the benefits of using backup services for your business.

1. Cost

Using backup services for your business is more cost-effective than performing backup services for yourself. Backup service providers are able to purchase storage solutions and software licenses in volume, and they are able to afford larger capacity storage products. By using backup services, your business is able to take advantage of large-scale buying power without the need for up-front cash outlay. In addition to saving the initial expenses, your business will not be responsible for paying for upgrades or replacements in the future.

2. Staff

Not only do you save money on hardware and software by using backup services, but also you save money on the staff performing the backup. By using backup services, you will have a dedicated, knowledgeable staff taking care of installation, configuration, maintenance, and repairs, but you won't be required to hire or pay those employees. Backups are done for you, with support staff tailoring a backup solutions to your needs. The backup services staff will even notify you if there are any problems of which you need to be aware.

3. Scalability

Backup services for your business can be tailored to meet your needs, with backup being available for any number of systems. In addition, backup services solutions can grow with your business, preventing you from needing to change services every time you expand.

4. Off-site

Using backup services for your business means that your important data is stored somewhere other than your office. In the event of a major disaster, backup devices located on-site could be damaged or destroyed, creating the same loss of data against which you were trying to guard. If your backup is located off-site, however, you can easily restore operations to the last backup point, regardless of what happens to your business location.

5. Continuous backup

Backup services provide continuous data backup for your business. With traditional backup methods, backup is completed in batches, leaving room for significant data loss if error, damage or disaster takes place during or between batches. With continuous backup, there is a very small amount of time during which any data can be lost, ensuring a complete and accurate recovery of your business information.

6. Fast recovery

Using backup services allows your business to recover data within minutes. Most backup services offer several types of delivery for restoring information, as well as keeping multiple file versions. Many backup service providers even offer one-button data recovery to help you get back to business quickly and easily.

7. No tapes

With traditional backup methods, especially those you perform yourself, data is backed up using tapes. With backup services, you do not have the hassle of dealing with tapes or backing up the data. Recovery does not involve tapes begin transported, and there is no issue of having files on multiple tapes. As an added benefit, backup services save you the heartbreak of discovering corrupted and incomplete data on tapes that have experienced mechanical or environment-related failures.

8. Critical file storage

Many backup services also offer the option of storing critical files and programs in addition to storing the backup files. In the event of a major mishap, the off-site storage will allow you to quickly restore files and programs that are required for keeping your business running smoothly.

9. Support

When using backup services, you have access to customer and technical support. If issues arise with your scheduled backups, you have trouble accessing your backup, or you have difficulty in restoring your system, you have someone to call. Not just support for hardware or software, support from backup services understand your business and your needs, enabling them to give you the help you need, when you need it.

10. Fast setup

Performing your own backup service means installing necessary hardware and software, figuring out how to operate all of it, and then starting the backup process. Throughout the process, you have to hope that you are doing it all correctly and that files will actually get backed up. With backup services, the service provider can have your account set up, ready to start backing up files and programs within a matter of minutes. You'll know the system is working because you will receive emails alerting you of the backup and providing details of the files backed up and notifying you if there are any problems.

While backup services are not always cheap, the benefits of the service far outweigh the cost. Using backup services keeps your business running because it ensures that your data is always available.