Looking for small office backup solution?

Question

I'm looking for a low-cost backup solution for small offices that provide the location the ability to backup their data centrally. Small office would be about 5-10 users in size. The device needs to be network attached rather than through a USB connection or shared on a PC. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

In a small office situation where the pc's are network attached all data and documents should be stored cetrally on a file server of some sort. This should be reasonable spec computer stored somewhere secured out of the way. This then consolidates your files and minimises the need for users to backup.

You can then use a tool like Norton ghost 10 that gives you the ability backup the entire hard drive including system files and applications as well as do individual file an folder backups.

Your actual backup device should be detatachable so you can remove it from your business premises. If your premises burn down and your backup was in the filing cabinet in the next office to your server it's game over.

to develop a robust backup policy/procedure I suggest you read this article : http://www.dbnetsolutions.co.uk/Articles/Backup.aspx

Answer 2

Your options are:
Tape - this is the fastest and most expensive its also the standard for info backup and storage. You can spend a lot or less but its still the most expensive method.
CD/DVD - this is good low cost solution while I don't recomend re-writables mostly because disks are not that expensive.
You're ramping up the cost with a dedicated network device which would tape. I'd get a small pc with linux(free) and set it up to disk backup until you determine a permanent solution.

Answer 3

i'd advice you to use Acronis True Image Server, but it depends on what kind of OS you serever based, you can choose windows or linux. you will need server version and licences for workstations, and it would cost too much money. all backups will be saved on you server, and if some of you workstations will have some troubles you can restore image just in minutes. So i think that it is the most suiteable software for centralized backup operations.

Answer 4

We use a tape drive for an office of about 11 people. It is called Retrospect, and it has worked out fantastic! You might check into it... seems like the price was fairly reasonable.

Answer 5

Your best bet isto go buy a server or a computer capable ov being a server. Then you can save files and folder to the server without them being affected if a computer crashes!

Answer 6

I have seen 1TB NAS's on tigerdirect.com for less than $1000.00. The prices are coming down fast on storage.

Answer 7

Pen and paper.

Answer 8

You can try web solutions.
like-
http://www.idrive.com/