It’s Not IF–It’s WHEN!

This article is not to push a particular backup procedure, but rather to motivate you to get a backup procedure. For Advanced Organizing Systems, Inc., the automatic online backup service has been the solution.

It’s sad to say but my personal computing has spanned the Apple IIe (with cassette tape backup) through today’s power personal computers (and online backup). During this time frame, I’ve certainly not been the model for not losing files.
I’ve suffered “mistakes” that are sad, frustrating, time consuming, downright humorous, and shamefully costly.  I’ve yanked the power cord out of the wall with my foot prior to saving a file (early days).  I’ve had associates back up the shortcuts to a file rather than the file itself.  In an earlier time again, I’ve had a virus spread to more than 30 data diskettes in our office.  Recently, I’ve had both a hard disk failure and a Quickbooks file error–IT’S NOT IF–IT’S WHEN!  For those of you who have a good backup procedure, you’re thinking “Well you Idiot, you got what you deserved.”  But for the rest, “It’s, Yikes! I can relate!”

You can use various systems to backup your files–Some good and some not so good.

         * Backup to the same hard on your computer–Not so good
(even if automated)
* Backup to external source or other computer at your location–Not so good but a little better
(but you better automate it)
* Backup up to external source then move the backup copy to another location
–OK-but will you really do that regularly?
* Backup automatically to an online backup service–Usually a pay service
–takes quite a while to backup and retrieve files,
BUT it is automatic and the only solution that actually works for me.

In the past year, we’ve had an online backup service “save” us twice.  We had a hard disk with many personal/business files fail mechanically.  I’m sure there is some pay service that could have retrieved the files, but the automatic online service saved the day. (There are situations that a retrieval service cannot solve — fire, flood, theft, etc).  We replaced the drive, installed the operating system, and retrieved the files from our online backup.  The actual retrieval of all files was automated, but spanned 3 days.  Important files could be retrieved immediately.  More recently, a corrupted Quickbooks data file was retrieved immediately from our online backup service.  No data had been lost and we went on our merry way!

Get a backup system — IT’S NOT IF–IT’S WHEN!   DO SOMETHING!
Do your research and be sure you choose a backup system that matches what you will actually do!
Related links concerning backup systems are as follows:
How to choose a good backup system — “USA TODAY”
How to build a bulletproof cloud backup system without spending a dime — “PCWorld”
How to Back up a Computer — “wikiHow”
Computer backup system buying guide — “ConsumerReports.org”

John A. Torrano
Advanced Organizing Systems, Inc., CEO

Products by Advanced Organizing Systems, Inc. provide various solutions for roll file storage, vertical flat file storage, roll document mailing,  and drawing protection.  All AOS Inc. products meet exacting criteria for function, durability, and aesthetics.