Backup software is specifically designed to save a copy of electronic data. A duplicate copy of the data is created on a different or similar media. So why not simply make a copy of your files onto a CD, or other hard copy and keep it somewhere safe and sound? You will most likely forget, or put it off till later when it might be too late. In any case, if you neglect to do it as often as you should for any reason, backup software simplifies and automates the process, so it is done automatically, and as regularly as possible.
Beneficial Features of Backup Software
There are always features and benefits to look out for when considering backup software. With a good and reliable backup software package, you will be able to add on features as you expand your business, or when you need them at a later stage.
Safety & Security – Encryption
First on the list, and of vital importance, is the security of your data. Encryption is the solution. It allows you to back up your data and encrypt it, so your commercially sensitive data is not compromised. Whether backing up to an external storage source, or in the cloud, the copies you create increase the chances of the data falling into the wrong hands. Encryption is absolutely essential in order to make all your backed up data safe and secure.
Compress Your Data
Data compression is another vital feature you simply must have. These days, the amount of data transferred can be huge, which bites into your storage. Decent backup software should have data compression capabilities. The application hardly takes up any space on your internal storage, yet saves mountains for you externally. Your future cost savings can be significant, and you can alter the compression values to suit your preference. Higher compression rates translate into more time to perform the task. By adjusting these compression rates, you will be able to decide on a balance between time and compression. Backing up incrementally only modifies files that have been altered, and saves you having to go through each file one by one.
Planning & Scheduling
All the best backup software has scheduling capabilities. You can set schedules in advance and plan better. You can save loads of time when your backups are done automatically. It adds convenience and is a vital tool that will improve your organisation and planning.
How to Handle Open Files
When you are working on confidential and vital data, open files on your PC should be continually updated as you change the data. This saves you having to change each copy manually, or worse still, to forget to update altogether. Open files should be updated dynamically, and in real time, so all your copies are in sync.
Help for Handling Important Files
You may need help handling special and important files. If you need to backup all your emails or your browser bookmarks, they can sometimes be problematic to find on your internal hard drive. Backup software will provide built-in procedures so you can quickly locate and back up the files that are important.
CPU Usage Control
Controlling your CPU usage while backing up your data can overwork your CPU processor, leading to interference with other tasks you might be doing on your PC. Backup software can ease the process and strain on the processor by allowing you to effectively throttle the demands made on your CPU and its resources. You can get on with your work while the tasks are performed unobtrusively in the background.
Filtering your Files
You will also need to filter your files, and you can expect backup software to assist with that. There is a file filtering mechanism that permits you to include or exclude specific files when backing up. Let’s say you want to back up the data on your H drive, and eliminate a few items, backup software has that capability. You can quickly pick and choose what to back up and avoid having to make a cumbersome and time clock dining search with a copy operation each time.
Spanning your Discs
If you have really vast amounts of data to back up, you will need disc spanning, as it might not fit on one source, usually a blank disc. You would effectively have to do this task manually, in chunks. Backup software takes that job out of your hands and performs the task automatically and seamlessly. The software cuts out the need to physically monitor the whole progress of each and every backup job so you can turn your attention to more important tasks elsewhere.
Dealing with Disaster
Dealing with upsets and disasters is another handy tool that you get with decent backup software. It helps you prepare for those nasty, unexpected extreme situations. Problems like being unable to reboot or unboot your computer, or you can not access it altogether. You may need an emergency boot disc to restore your computer’s vital functions and gain access to any data you may have saved. You can choose to save all your data onto an executable file so you will be able to restore it with a click of a button, from a remote location.