Failing to implement appropriate backup and storage solutions is a sure-fire recipe for disaster - a business without its data is as good as dead.
This is according to Chris Larkins, solutions consultant for storage at independent IT solutions provider First Technology.
He says that as any small to medium enterprise (SME) strives to achieve a level of operation that will sustain the business over the long-term, so too should that business be looking at the installation of quality backup and storage devices.
"SMEs often do not consider backup and storage systems until it is too late - their computers are stolen, their hard disks crash or someone simply makes a mistake and wipes out critical information. And often, even if they do implement a backup solution, they find out too late that it is not suited to the business or it has not been used correctly.
"Installing a proper backup and storage solution is vital, while sizing it correctly according to company needs is important too," he adds.
Larkins points out that more often than not, a large amount of data resides on users` laptops or desktop computers. This, he says, is not ideal, since that data could very easily be lost or become corrupted.
"SMEs need to get their business data to a central location such as a file server that either resides on the premises or is located `off-site`. The business should also implement policies that determine how and where data is stored," he says.
However, Larkins says storing data in a central repository is not enough - and neither is backing it up.
"Far too many companies back up their data regularly, but fail to ensure that their backups are actually working. And they only discover this when disaster strikes.
"Any organisation with a backup system must ensure that it has procedures and policies in place that will test the backup systems regularly, thereby ensuring that backups are not wasted or useless when it comes time to recover information in the event of a system failure," he adds.
Larkins acknowledges that with hundreds of storage and backup products available, all providing the latest data recovery and availability technology, choosing the right system for one`s needs can be confusing.
Once it has been decided what systems are critical to the company`s longevity, the SME is provided with a customised service level agreement (SLA) to ensure 100% after-sales service and support.
Larkins says that such an agreement is vital, especially considering the spate of PC theft by technology renewal agents when servicing a client`s storage needs. In many cases, the company`s PCs are stolen because the majority of data is stored on users` machines.
"If information important to a business is stored on a dedicated file server, it is safeguarded from theft as well as loss through system failure. SMEs need to seriously reconsider where they spend their money and not only ensure that their data is backed up, by know that it is recoverable at the same time.
"Because cost is a major concern to any SME, and there are often many items vying for a larger portion of the IT budget, it`s tempting to delay the investment in a backup and storage system. But that`s false economy. There is little that is more important to a business than its data - and it needs to be protected at all costs," Larkins concludes.
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First Technology is one of SA`s largest, independent IT solutions providers, offering customers solutions and services that maximise business productivity, reduce the risk associated with deploying new technologies and minimise the total cost of IT ownership. The company has fully-fledged branches in every major business node across SA and maintains one of the largest teams of highly skilled technical personnel in the country.
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