So, you're using email, CRM, file storage, or other cloud programs. Since the data is already in the cloud, do you need to back it up (locally)?
The computing world is always changing. Over the last decade, SaaS (software as a service) providers have offered the convenience of data backup for your cloud applications such as CRM systems, SalesForce, Google Apps and Microsoft Office 365. The business question is, if I’m already working with a SaaS provider and my data is already “in” the cloud, do I really need to back up my data to another cloud? After all, isn’t the SaaS provider doing that for me?
Well, yes and no. Yes, your data (one of your company’s most valuable assets) is being backed up by the service provider. And yes, it’s in the cloud. And yes, these providers have backups to their backups. But the big question; are they backing up your business-critical data? Can you guarantee that? And do you have access to it in a timely manner? The answer to these questions may be no. As a rule, SaaS providers do not open backups to customers, nor do they make restoring critical data easy. For example, SalesForce does nightly customer backups. But if you need to recover your data, you have to go directly to SalesForce and pay a minimum of $10,000 (and wait a few weeks) for your data to be restored.
There’s no question that the results of data loss can be devastating to your company. But when it comes down to it, it’s your company information and you need to take responsibility for safeguarding it. You need to have a strategy in place.
Want to learn more about how to back up your cloud applications? Contact Ryan at 228-392-7133 to schedule a time to discuss your questions and what solutions are available to you.
