How Safe is Your Data?

Are you the owner or senior manager of a small or medium-sized business?  Have you entrusted your data backups to someone on your staff, or perhaps even your IT support vendor?  If so, you may think you’ve done everything necessary to prevent your company from a major data-loss catastrophe, right?  Wrong.

Many variables are at play when dealing with data backup.  Ask yourself these few questions to make sure the integrity of your data is protected (and backed up) at all times.

1.  Do you rely on one person to monitor backups?  We recommend a second layer of reviews—at least once per quarter—to make sure data is properly backed up.  Assign another key staff member to verify data backups, and make them conduct a file restore to prove the backup is working.
2. Do you have a single form of backing up data?  We strongly recommend at least two forms of data backup; for instance, a combination of a Tape Drive and USB Drive would be ideal.
3. Are you backing up the right data?  Often times companies think backups are running successfully, and indeed they are.  However, they may not be backing up all necessary drives, e-mail or essential database and accounting applications.  Make sure you have your bases covered! 
4. Do you maintain an offsite copy of the right data?  Many times companies don’t think about keeping a copy of their backup in an offsite location but really it is one of the most important components of a truly solid “backup routine.”  Making certain that a good copy of your data is kept in an offsite location insures that your company can continue operations even in the unlikely event that your building gets destroyed.

If we lost you at “data backups,” visit OrLANtech for ways we can help you avoid data loss and more.

Spend Smart in 2010

The IT industry is buzzing after hearing tech-giant Gartner share their predictions of what’s to come in 2010.

Gartner hosted their Symposium right in our backyard, predicting that the “IT market is exiting its worst year ever.”  Good news is, worldwide IT spending should grow about 3 percent in 2010.

So what does that mean on a local level?  We’re not focused on what’s spent, but rather that our customers spend wisely.

Here are some tips to make sure you spend smart:

• Taking advantage of Managed Services can help companies budget IT expenses.
• Don’t underestimate the value of Web Filtering Solution … not only can it help you avoid nasty viruses and malware, but it also increases employee efficiency.
• Budget now for 2010.  If you’ve been putting off that server upgrade or disaster recovery plan, there’s no time like the present to avoid a potential crash.
• Keep your mobile devices in good working order.  Being able to access your network remotely is an excellent way to increase efficiency.

Managing Small Biz IT Investments

In times as tough as these, businesses have to be savvy with every investment – investments in IT are no exception.  Whether you’re purchasing hardware or software, or evaluating staffing needs, follow these easy steps to shore up your IT investment:

1. Conduct an audit right now. Be sure you know every asset, including serial and registration numbers and activation keys.
2. Be sure the software you are using is “legal” and registered … that you really own it.
3. Determine if you have a backup plan that is working.
4. Ensure that good backups are being kept offsite where they are safe in case of failure.
5. Protect sensitive data … don’t let someone hack your system.

Want to learn more?  Download the full White Paper here:
Managing Small Business IT Investments