From Tape to the Cloud: A look at Small Business Data Storage Solutions

From Tape to the Cloud: A look at Small Business Data Storage Solutions

For small business owners the landscape of data backup solutions looks eerily similar to the plot of an old football movie. Who is the best option to lead the team, the old, wily, over-the-hill vet (tape decks) or the green young gun (cloud storage)?

In a business world that has become completely dominated by computers, file cabinets are quickly losing much of their work to an array of data storage solutions. Whether your business is a multi-million dollar financial firm, a medical practice, a retail store or a pizza restaurant, there is information vital to your business that you should protect by keeping a backup. No matter your specific needs or your budget there is a option that will be right for you and your business.

Sure, tape-based storage options are outdated and the industry is quickly leaving the technology behind, but for many small businesses the old tape drive can still get the job done. For businesses where the speed of the backup process is not an issue and there is little in terms of data backup needs, in a time when money is tight and small businesses have to strategize carefully to make the most out of their budget, continuing to rely on the old tape technology may be the best idea for the time being.  

Lets set the record straight, information that your business needs access to daily should not be stored on tape. The technology is much too slow and cumbersome. However, anything that you simply need stored but can put away and live without (like old financial records) should definitely be stored in the most economic way possible – tape. One major concern with using an old tape drive for data storage is the possibility of damage or loss. Manage your backup and storage sessions vigilantly and store your tapes with care.

On the other side of the spectrum is the new, green, untested and unproven  “young gun.” Cloud storage. Cloud storage has been gaining traction and popularity for its affordability, ease and safety. Cloud storage is an online backup solution where the backup process takes place over the Internet and is handled by a third party company. This company will handle all aspects of the backup process and thus allows the client to put more focus on their core business.

Cloud storage may or may not require a software download, depending on the service provider. Many solutions handle their business via a login/ password protected website.

Online data backup solutions eliminate the risk of a catastrophic accident destroying your backups, as the data is stored off site. Most companies, however, store client data in data centers (most are located in Houston, Dallas and California) which can cause the backup process to be significantly slower than a local storage option. Also, in the case that you need a hard copy of your backups it may take several weeks to arrive.

Industry experts admit that security is still an issue and that legality, for highly regulated industries with confidentiality requirements, could be a roadblock for many companies considering cloud storage.

In between the glitz and glamour of cloud storage, and the traditional utility of tape are data servers and external hard drives. Companies who depend on their computer systems and information to do business typically rely on data servers for their backup and storage. However, servers can cost thousands of dollars and require constant maintenance and management by IT personnel. This very well may be beyond your resources.

Though using a data server to store your data might be the fastest option, a server would fall victim to many of the same issues that can bring down your computer system. A power outage, flood, a nasty virus or Trojan horse – considering that the server is connected to your computer system and sits in your office any number of unexpected pitfalls can make an investment of several thousand dollars obsolete.

If your business is not computer based in nature you may be able to get by with a simple external hard drive. These can cost a couple hundred to a thousand dollars and these days hold upwards of a terabyte of information! Mostly used for personal use, an external hard drive could fill surely the needs of a micro business.

Every business has a different set of requirements and financial circumstances, so there is not a universal backup and storage solution that will fit the needs of all businesses. To find a data backup solution that is right for your business, analyze your company’s needs and budget, and research all options before making a decision.