These days, most businesses keep all their crucial data on the company computer, making database backup a necessity. Losing the data could be catastrophic to a business. When looking for backup programs, you must consider the records you keep, whether or not the software is replaceable and the confidentiality of your information.

Database backup tools come in a variety of user-friendly options. For a small monthly charge, you can automatically update a database to a secure location on the Internet. If you want to avoid the monthly charge, you can set the backup to save to an external hard drive. Here are some things to consider when choosing a database backup system:

1. Determine where you'll locate your backup database.

2. Assess the data you need to back up.

3. Find computer backup software that's schedulable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide where the database backup software will save your database information

Online software backups are popular, since the data can be restored from any location. If a businesses location is totally destroyed, the database information in still safe. You may also choose to keep all data in a local area, and keep backup data files on a removable storage drive.

I recommend: Check out the options offered by Sonasoft for online data storage. Choose Tetratrax's database manager for local backup.

Make sure the database backup software will capture all necessary information from the hard drive

Some programs will only capture the information in the obvious files; but data may be scattered throughout the hard drive. Therefore, it's necessary that you have the ability to pick and choose which files or folders you need to back up.

I recommend: Download a trial version of Handy Backup for a user friendly, drag-and-drop, customizable database backup tool. You can find other alternatives by browsing the backup tools at FileStream to choose the product that's perfect for your business.

Locate database backup solutions that have scheduling options

Options included in database backup systems can be schedulable, manual or realtime. Generally, it's preferable to run backup automatically at a specific time each night, or set it to automatically update as soon as any changes are made.

I recommend: Try the real time backup software, EzOpenBackup Plus!, from XLink Technology, Inc. This program continually backs up data, and does a complete scheduled backup each night. Acronis also has several schedulable choices that make excellent small business database backup solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before purchasing a database backup system, go to the company's website and download a trial version. Test it out for a week, and be sure to note the pros and cons for future reference. Then, test an alternative. Only make your purchase after you find the database backup system that's perfect for your business.