Datastore365 - Secure Online Backup 
Datastore365's Online backup provides a simple, automated and secure method to protect critical business data. Datastore 365 can protect all types of data, ranging from simple file data such as wordprocessing ducuments and spreadsheets, to more complicated data types such as Exchange and SQL database servers.

Online backup can in most cases be is cheaper, faster and better than tape backup. Tape backup solutions although effective have a significant cost if they are to be effective, they need up front investment, ongoing maintenance and internal staff to maintain and operate them.
 

Online Data Backup vs Tape Backup


Tape BackupOnline Data Backup
Level of Capital ExpenditureHigh. Especially for large data volumes or complex backup requirements.None. There are no licensing Fees. There will be a simple  ongoing monthly operating fee, depending on how much data you want to backup.
Total cost of ownershipModerate. Together with hardware maintenance costs, there are often unseen human resource costs.Low. Per GB monthly fees reduce as storage volumes grow.
Maintenance/ManagementHigh. Engineers are required to design, manage and maintain backup processes as well as recover data.Low. Management of backup processes can be pushed to the user level.
ScalabilityLow. Limited flexibility when storage volumes increase or backup strategies change.High. Data Store 365 manage the growth of the infrastructure enabling your data volumes to grow without your concern.
Data SecurityLow. Tapes can be lost, stolen or damaged in even the most well managed backup procedures.High. Two copies of your Data are stored in an encrypted format in multiple highly secure data centres.
AutomationModerate. Even automated tape backup installations require manual intervention to remotely store copies.High. The entire backup process is managed by the client software and storage network.
ReliabilityLow. Tapes are often weakly built and can suffer from reliability issues.High. Data is stored on multiple disks at multiple sites. All are constantly monitored and engineers are on call 24x7.
ProtectionLow. Data is generally stored in an unencrypted format making theft a significant risk.High. Data is encrypted when in transit and in storage, eliminating the risk of it being compromised.
Ease of Data RestorationLow. Time intensive processes are required in order for engineers to restore large data sets.High. Individual or multiple files can be restored quickly and easily by the user.
Future ProofNo. As storage technology evolves your investment can quickly become obsolete.Yes. Datastore365 continually invest in performance hardware to meet customers' storage requirements.
Required length of Backup window Long. Large data volumes and longer working hours are continually shortening tape backup windows.Short. Backups can take place whilst users are working and incremental backups shorten the backup cycle.

Considerations when choosing a backup method

When choosing a back-up method, consider the following factors:
  • Capacity – What is the maximum amount of data that the medium can store? Most devices compress the data before storing it. Devices claim a 2:1 compression ratio. However, the amount of compression achieved depends on the compressibility of the files. Therefore, it would be advisable to plan to achieve a 1.5:1 compression ratio in normal operation.
  • Start-up and media costs – How affordable is the solution to install and maintain over a period of time? Remember to schedule/allow for the cost of replacement disks/tapes. Tapes should be replaced at least bi-annually or as soon as errors are reported by the back-up software.
  • Remember to include the cost of maintenance tools such as tape head cleaners – these will extend the life of both the drive and the tapes.
  • Reliability – How reliable is the method chosen? If disaster occurs, is the data easy to restore?
  • Simplicity – Is the method convenient and simple for the user to set up and carry out? The simpler it is, the more likely the user will adapt to it.
  • Performance – How fast is the hardware and software used for the method? How long will the back-up take to perform?
  • Back-up tapes must be tested regularly (at least quarterly) to ensure that data on a tape can be restored.
  • Secure – Back-up media not in a tape drive must be securely stored, preferably in a fireproof safe.
  • Most back-up facilities have a log to inform whether the back-up or restore operation was successful – ensure there is a documented process in place to check this log after each back-up.
Device NameDescriptionCapacityPrice Range
Online Backup (Remote Backup) (Internet Backup) (Offsite Backup) Online Backup is now widely accepted as the industry standard method for protecting critical business and enterprise data. Fully automated and highly reliable secure offsite backups replace unreliable and time consuming coventional tape backups. 10GB - 100TB
(Compressed)		 From £75 / Month
DAT
(digital audio tape) 		This tape, originally designed for recording high-quality audio, was primarily developed and marketed for use as a back-up medium by Hewlett-Packard. They use two different types of data format to store the data: DDS (digital data storage) and DataDAT. . 20GB - 160GB £400+
DLT/SDLT
(digital linear tape) 		DLT drives are a robust medium. The DLT segments the tape into parallel, horizontal tracks and streams the tape across a stationary head to record the data. They are seen as a reliable, high speed and high capacity solution, ideal for network back-up. 80GB - 600GB
(Compressed) 		£1400+
LTO Ultrium This is a new tape format and provides very fast back-up (up to 100GB/hour) with high capacity. Native tape capacity is 100GB, but can store up to 400GB of compressed data AIT - AIT is a mid range back-up standard, designed to handle native capacities from 25 Gb to 100Gb. The drives are designed to be self cleaning, except in cases where the drives are in very dusty locations. 100GB - 1.6TB
(Compressed)		 £2000+