Backup Solutions Overview

What Features the Appropriate Backup Software Should Have?

Today's software market offers a plenty of products designed for automatic backup, and it may appear quite difficult to decide which one you need. Needless to say, there are dozens of unique parameters for each case, no matter if you want to backup home computer or need a complete enterprise data backup.

However, it is possible to deduce basic criteria that should be taken into account when studying backup software functionality:

• Backup methods. There are two principal methods of backup: "files-based backup" which performs data copying through common file system queries and "image-based backup" which implies physical hard disk copying.
• Data that can be backed up. One of the most useful features in backup software is capability to backup different types of data: system registry, application settings, databases, and other. For example, you need to backup Microsoft Exchange. A good program will offer an explicit preset for this operation, not requiring you to know exact data location or technologies of "hot" backup.
• Supported backup storage media. Another factor of supreme importance is where you are going to store backups. This should be considered depending on amount of data you need to back up, available hardware and security policy.
• Available backup types. There are several possible types of backup that may be involved in different backup media rotation schemes.

Advices on Choosing Backup Software

Besides availability of this or that feature, there are many other factors that need to be considered when choosing a backup software:

• User interface. Choose a program that provides an easy and comprehensible way to automate all backup processes on your home computer or in your organization.
• Trial period. A good backup tool must offer a full-featured trial period to let you decide if it fits your needs or not.
• Support. Make sure that the product comes with all necessary support and you will receive qualified assistance if you encounter any problems.
• Price. Keep in mind that some developers don't include support in the product price and may charge additional money for it. If you have to decide between two programs with similar functionality, the one with the lower price will not necessarily be better choice.

Finally, don't forget about such helpful sources of information as Internet reviews, articles and user opinions that can be found in the Internet in forums, blogs, etc.

1. Data backup devices
2. What to backup
3. Backup rotation schedules

See also

Backup Solutions Overview