The solutions are relatively reliable, and are reasonably easy to manage on site. If a PC crashes it is possible to recover the loss data once a replacement computer is procured, set up, and re-loaded with the appropriate software, user settings, and drivers.
One of the major draw backs to restoring your content is the fact that this process is extremely complex, and labor intensive. I have seen times where it has taken several hours to complete the entire operation.
In a stand alone environment if any data loss occurs it’s usually just the changes that have been made since the last back up cycle, which is typically conducted over the weekend. The major problem with this is if the entire hard drive crashes. In this case the software applications including the operating systems and user profile has to be restored prior to and of the critical data files. Local file and database servers are backed up and recovered much the same way, if not with a little more complexity.
However, once a business out grows a single facility, and starts deploying systems in a distributed environment all the rules go out the window. Despite the claims of major server vendors, the free remote management software that comes with the system is not reliable enough to satisfy even the most lax disaster recovery strategy.
As a result of this, the back-procedure in remote offices is typically unreliable, requiring constant on-site tinkering and administration to keep the solution online and working properly.
Since most businesses cannot afford to employ an IT professional at every location, the company will either have to hire a costly contractor or tab an unsuspecting member of the business staff who will have to be given on-the-fly training.
This conscripted administrator is responsible for loading the media, configuring the back-up software, administering the process on a consistent schedule, and storing the media in a safe, secure location. Unfortunately It usually ends up being the trunk of their car.
Given that data projection is an absolute vital to business continuity, and the long-term success of the company the fact that anyone would trust the process to someone who is not trained to administer back-up is troubling.
No matter how confident they are in the other aspects of their responsibilities. Throw in the financial consequences of compliance failures, and small to mid-sized business owners are just asking for an ulcer.
Frank DeVito has been a key speaker for Implementing Technology in Mortgage Banking, Disaster Recovery and Business Impact Analysis. He is currently one of the Senior Editors at itmanagedserviceproviders.com
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