Backup Programs - Reviews and Recommendations

I need a backup program to use at the office. As I look for one I thought I would share what I come across and look for feedback from those of you who have already found something that works for you or who are looking for a backup program to use yourself.

I first went to TuCows.com and looked at all the backup programs that are rated 5 cows and seemed to do what I was looking for.

Why you need backup software

Hard disk failure is the most common problem. Hard disks include moving parts that suffer from friction. A good hard disk will work fine for five years or more. But who knows if you have a good one? Is it going to fail tomorrow, in two years, in ten years?

Natural disasters are rare but strike harder. They are less predictable and hard to avoid. They can damage your home or office along with your computers inside.

The human factor is another problem that is hard-to-predict. Might your child delete some of your files to free some space for his new computer game? Is the bathtub going to overflow and destroy your hard drive? Might a thief steal your computer or you could even misplace your laptop while on a trip.

Too often we realize how valuable our files are after it is too late. We are so accustomed to having our email and documents available that we feel they will be there forever. But just let them come up missing. Now we try to figure out how to obtain a copy. Backup!!

Your “C:” drive contains a lot files. Ninety percent of them are system, program, or temporary files which would not be a problem to reinstall. But the remaining 10% are not so easy to recover. Your contacts list in Outlook, the e-mail you are saving to answer later, important documents that you are saving, and all the digital photos that are stored on your hard drive.

Now just imagine: these files are gone… - how would you get those back..

Features I want included on any backup program:

• Copy Open Files - Needs to be able to copy open files without needing to close them first. That way Outlook PST, client databases, etc can be copied without need to kick people off the system.
• Network Compatible - Must be able to access all network drives
• Compression and Encryption - Don’t want a backup CD to give away the farm if someone else finds it.
• Automated - Must be able to schedule unattended backups
• Profiles - Must be able to set up different backup jobs
• Differential Backup - Need to backup only those things that have changed since the last full backup. Incremental is ok, but what if the one backup copy was corrupted?