Data Storage Options For Small Business

Every small business should back up their data habitually; after all, your data is your business. Small business owners have plenty of service providers to choose from to keep their data protected, and it’s important to choose the right service.

Regardless of the type of computer you use or where it’s located, it’s likely that you will run into problems with viruses, a failed hard drive or even a spilled cup of water.  Each of these unfortunate things can leave you holding a hard drive that holds all your important information inside and no way to access it.  Fortunately, there is a simple way to forego the inconvenience and heartbreak that exists when important files are lost.

Server backup provider Novastor offers the following 8 ways small business can keep their stuff safe and secure even when things go wrong.

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

These are important storage devices that operate similarly to an extra hard drive.  The device connects to your computer through your wired network and makes it easy to access your files and folders by showing up as an icon on your desktop.

NAS devices offer the following benefits:

• Schedule automatic backups
• Remote access to important files
• Built-in BitTorrent clients
• Safety even if your computer is destroyed

The downside of NAS devices are that they may come in a little higher in price than your other options.

External Hard Drives

External hard drives function as a separate hard drive and are connected to your computer with a USB cord.  Many come prepackaged with important software to copy your files easily.  External hard drives have decreased in price over the last few years, and are available with large amounts of storage.

Online Storage

Online storage options are the best for those who want to share information across several computers.  Online storage such as Dropbox or Mozy are becoming increasingly more popular because of the convenience and storage space available.  When all your information is stored online, your important files are protected regardless of what happens to your home or your computer.

Flash Drives

Flash drives allow you to carry your data around anywhere you go, but are also easy to lose (and steal).  Flash drives have smaller storage capacities than the other options, but are perfect for transporting and backing up important files for a presentation or homework assignment.

Windows Backup and Restore

Windows XP and Vista both provide backup options.  XP has options built in to restore your computer if it is infected or fails, and the manual Backup option to save all your important files.  Vista includes an option that automatically copies all your files and restores and backups any important information.

Time Machine

If you use a Mac, your best option for backup is the Time Machine.  If your files have been backed up, you can quickly restore them to a saved point or just choose a file from a time in the past.  Time Machine also includes animations and 3D effects, making it one of the prettiest backup options.

Disks

Files and folders can be backed up and saved onto disks, but be prepared to invest a little more time and effort.  Although disks are inexpensive, they don’t have the capacity to hold as much information as other storage methods, and you’ll have to remember to check on your computer and insert a new disk anytime the previous one is full.

RAID

RAID is the newest option on the market, and works by creating a mirror image of your hard drive.  Available in two options, RAID ensures that one of your hard drives will continue to work even if the other one fails.

Choosing the right backup option for your computer is a matter of balancing the storage space you need with the time and effort you have to put into a regular backup.