Is There a Difference in Laptop Backup Software Programs

January 31st, 2009

More and more employees are using laptops and working remotely which increases the amount of data that needs to be protected. Effective secure backup solutions are a must for companies employing remote and off site workforce.Companies that are expecting their traditional backup software solution to be able to handle the ever increasing remote workers are not aware of the difficulties that users will run into.

Traditional laptop backup software programs continue to need large resources and dedicated and trusted networks for backups. Software that has been evolved from old server based backup software has not taken into account that special needs of the laptop user.

The features you need to look for in an enterprise PC backup solution are important as they make the difference between being used and your companies data safe or not used because they are system hogs system resources or the set up is too complicated.

So what are the six most important features to insist upon when looking for a backup solution. One of the tasks that need to be done on a regular schedule is backing up their data but if the software that they are using is not automated and simple most users will not use it. So one of the features that is absolutely essential in your backup solution is that it be simple and automated. The instructions need to clear and no more than 5 or 6 steps. Using simple instructions like run this backup every 4 hours and use no more than 10% of my system resources lets the user set the standards and increases user confidence in the software.

The software must also be non-intrusive and resource friendly. One of the main reasons employees hate to backup their computers is because their computer slows down when the backup starts which occurs as soon as the user logs into the network.

Even though laptops are fast replacing desktops in many companies, most backup software still hasn’t evolved. It is important that backups be resource friendly and use very little power from the computer.

Giving the user the options to set when the backup takes place and how much of the CPU or bandwidth it can use can make the difference between success or failure of a backup solution.

It is extremely helpful if the software is WAN and Bandwidth optimized. Most companies have a reasonably good percentage of mobile workforce today which includes many top-tier management. One of the things that this mobile workforce needs is a good WAN or internet ready backup solution. Being able to choose a bandwidth percentage of available thorough output and having the backup software work just fine is what the remote user is asking for. Being able to limit the bandwidth allows the user to continue working while the backup is working.One of the things that companies have a concern about when using a WAN or VPN is security. Although most backup solutions are server implemented if the backups were client triggered the server firewalls would just allow and monitor the inbound traffic. Encrypted or authenticated sessions can allow secure backups by using SSL in a browser based software solution.

Data is increasing with some huge file sizes that need to be taken into account therefore support for incremental sync for large files like Outlook PST is an important consideration. Backup software capable of copying only the changed parts of the files is called incremental.

It is important to make the backup solution work for your employees. Having the user be required to email an admin to obtain their lost file can be difficult for the remote user. An intelligently designed restoration plan for the user to obtain a file that has been destroyed or lost allows the user to be more productive.

Keep your users in mind by following the above recommendations when you choose a backup solution.

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