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How Many Backups Are Enough?

October 15th, 2012 | Posted by wwo in Backup Concepts & Methods - (0 Comments)

A lot of people ask whether they should have multiple backup systems, and we usually answer yes. But care should be taken in configuring each backup system, so that there are no conflicts, or worse yet, surprises at restore time.

Since the days of DOS, the Microsoft operating systems have included a file attribute known as the “archive bit.” The archive bit is there for the specific purpose of noting whether a file has been backed up since the it was last changed. When the file is created or modified in any way, the archive bit is set “on.” When a backup system has backed up the file, the backup system may set the archive bit “off.” When there is only one backup system, this strategy is extremely effective. The backup system can rely on the status of the archive bit to determine whether any given file needs to be considered for backup.

However, imagine what happens with two backup systems, where each relies on the archive bit. A file is changed at 10:00am and the first backup runs at 6:00pm. The first backup notes the file has changed, backs it up, and sets the archive bit “off.” Then the second backup runs at 3:00am and skips every file changed before 6:00pm! Therefore one backup system will have backed up some of the changed files, and the other backup system will have backed up others. Neither will have a complete set, so really, both are less than useful.

With many backup systems, including Enveloc’s, there are ways to set it up so the archive bit status is not changed, or not considered. “Copy” mode creates a backup of every file but does not change the archive bit, so that the other system can consider just new or changed files. Or, instead of using the archive bit, with Enveloc you can backup based on the “Modified Date.” Or, you can use Disk Imaging as part of your backup strategy, keeping a complete copy not only of every file, but of the entire disk.

Making multiple backups can provide a deeper level of data security, but be sure you do it right. Call us at 877-368-3562 if you need help or ideas on how to make a reliable configuration.

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Great Technical Support

August 27th, 2012 | Posted by wwo in Disaster Recovery | Restoration | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

“Please tell the boss of Enveloc he has great people for tech support. I have spoken with Josh and Ross…”

This is typical of the unsolicited messages we get. So how do we achieve great technical support? Here is what we do or strive to do:

1. Always have the phone answered by a human being, not a machine. This has been our practice for the past 16 years and we’re not going to change it.
2. Train the tech guys. As talented and educated as they are, they still need to understand the nuances of our product. We run on every Windows operating system, so they need to understand the quirks and differences in those. Our wide variety of clients use every kind of Anti-Virus and Firewall imaginable, and sometimes these products have a bearing on how ours works. So the tech guys need to be aware and know the answers in advance so you, the client, don’t have to discover them for yourself.
3. Keep enough tech support available so there is rarely any wait time. Most clients are as busy or busier than we are, and keeping you waiting does not engender a warm and fuzzy feeling. Sometimes a wait is unavoidable, but we do the best we can. If necessary, the boss will handle tech calls, too.
4. Establish simple and effective procedures and stick to them. There is a method behind our madness, and we have discovered over the years that following procedures makes for efficient support.
5. Don’t ever give up. Sometimes a problem arises that seems to be unsolvable. Sharing it with another set of eyes or thinking creatively often brings the solution into focus.

Try us and see if you agree that Enveloc Remote Backup not only gets the job done, but when you need great technical support, we deliver.

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Who Is Answering, Please

July 24th, 2012 | Posted by wwo in Backup Features | Disaster Recovery | Restoration | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

When was the last time you called any company’s Technical Support line and were not extremely nervous that:

• You’d have to wade through a dozen or more voice menu options
• You’d have to listen to advertisements or music on hold for 10 or 20 minutes
• You’d finally get connected to a script-reading monkey who didn’t know a bit from a byte

Sound familiar?

It is aggravating. Modern technology is supposed to make life easier, not more complex. No machine works perfectly forever so problems or questions will always pop up at some point, and that is precisely the moment you don’t need any further frustration.

Being in the on-line backup business, we are particularly sensitive to the fact that often when people call, they are in a serious bind because they have accidently erased a file, or their disc has crashed, or some other calamity has destroyed important data. They don’t need additional hassle.

Although we make it easy to restore data through our software, we also know that even technically proficient people sometimes encounter situations they do not understand, and need someone with experience to guide them through it.

Therefore at Enveloc, the phone is always answered by a human being and that one of our US based trained technicians are available, on average, within 30 seconds. This has been our practice for the past 16 years.

So when we say to call if you need assistance, we mean we are truly standing by to provide it.

Competent, helpful support should be ready when you are- in minutes, not days.

Competent, helpful support should be ready when you are- in minutes, not days.

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Restore Like a Champ

May 7th, 2012 | Posted by wwo in Disaster Recovery | Restoration - (0 Comments)

Late Friday afternoon one of our clients accidently deleted critical files from their server via a workstation. How did this happen? Their main practice software provider sent some less-than-crystal-clear instructions on how to correct an error caused by a power loss, and the user deleted all the files in a folder, not just certain ones. It could have happened to anyone.

So the user setup a Restore job and started downloading the 4 gigabytes of files that had been properly backed up with Enveloc. Unfortunately, the power outage must have affected their router because their internet connectivity was off and on. Power blinked again during the night and stopped their download.

Our response Saturday morning was to copy the Restore job to media and deliver it to the user. Had she been located farther than 50 miles, we would have sent it by overnight express. We also provided her immediate support to help her restore the files to an alternate folder so that her software provider could assist her in rebuilding her system. Now, Monday morning, they are back in business.

If you are using one of the consumer-oriented backup servers ask yourself this: when you urgently need a large set of data restored to keep your business running, will your backup service react as quickly? At no charge? With live human beings?

Try Enveloc today with our no-risk guarantee: if you are not completely satisfied within the first thirty days, there will be no charge.

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