In the past, companies have backed up their data using magnetic tapes which were then typically stored off-site. While a usable method for incrementally backing up data off-site, this process is tedious and time-consuming. For small businesses without a dedicated IT staff, maintaining an up-to-date tape library can be easily overlooked and can result in permanent data loss.

Small to medium businesses can suffer severe repercussions if their critical data is not securely backed up at an off-site location. A fire, power surge, hardware failure, or even basic operator error can wipe out years of data. According to IDC (a leading market research firm), less than 40% of all small to medium size businesses properly and regularly back up their data. These businesses cannot afford to lose time attempting to rebuild their lost, vital information. In order to prevent such a situation from happening, it is imperative that an off-site storage system be used, providing secure copies of all data.

Off-site backup devices ensure that if physical disaster (fire, flood, theft, etc.) were to strike your data center and/or office, all lost information can be retrieved from the off-site location. Most off-site backup options use the Internet to transfer data back to the business location. It can take weeks, or even months, to download all of a company's data from the web. With EZSolution backup solutions, a new device can be shipped overnight to your location with all of your otherwise-lost data. This allows businesses to recover multiple terabytes of information in 24 hours, which would be nearly impossible through Internet transfer.

To quickly recover from hardware failures, viruses, or accidental deletion, it is important to have an on-site backup in addition to the off-site copy. This backup allows businesses to quickly recover from data loss due to common causes. When creating a business continuity plan, it's important to take both on-site and off-site backup into consideration.

When it comes to keeping your information backed up, EZSolution offers an affordable and easy total package. EZSolution provides a simple, secure, and automatic method for both on-site and off-site data storage in one simple and easy-to-use device.

EZSolution backup is a specifically designed Network Attached Storage (NAS) device operating as a secure location to backup files. The device creates an encrypted copy of all files stored at the on-site location at dual secure data centers located on the east and west US coasts. In the event of accidental deletion, files can quickly be restored to the device. If the device is ever damaged or destroyed, a new device with all data and settings from the original unit is shipped overnight to your location, providing rapid recovery.

EZSolution backup solutions ensures your vital information is always safe and secure, making the once painful chore of on- and off-site data backup easy and reliable.

Call Jeff Weaver at 717-291-0370 for more information.

As you frequently get to read my ramblings and antics, I thought I'd share some things about me that you might not know.

If you've been in my office, you probably know that I'm a HUGE Penn State Fan. I don't know what they put in the water at PSU, but I'm really sure that I do bleed blue and white. For three of my five years in Happy Valley, I played the trumpet in the Penn State Marching Blue Band, went to two bowl games, and met JoePa three times. One year the LION lived two houses away from me. WE ARE … PENN STATE!!!!!

I sing (Lead) tenor in a barbershop Quartet, called 3 Dads & A Lad. Yes, I am the Lad. We picked this name nine years ago. We sang at the Barnstormers' opening game and at the championship game. We also sing at restaurants, private parties, banquets and special events. About half the songs we sing I had never heard before and have had to ask the guys if this is a real song that people know or just a barbershop song. I've been married for five and a half years. I was slow to find a soul mate. But why rush such a big thing. After much sales and marketing efforts on my part, Jennifer agreed to marry me. She is now a stay at home mom with our son Ryan, but will go back to her writing career when Ryan goes to school.

Ryan will turn four this April. No one can really convey how a child changes your life, but did he ever! Now, instead of working 70 hours a week, I only work 48. I don't want to miss a minute with Ryan. It just doesn't seem possible to love two people this much. I am truly blessed.

Moving is always a pain in the rump, but it doesn't have to be a horrific, expensive experience. The number one lament from someone who has experienced a "bad" move is, "I didn't know I needed to…" followed closely by "I completely forgot that…." In other words, it's what you don't do that makes the move a disaster. To make your move easy and effortless, here are the five most common mistakes you want to avoid:

Mistake #1 - Not Using A Checklist
This may seem like a no-brainer to those who manage projects, but project management may not be a forte of someone placed in charge of your move. Even those who use a list typically fail to make the list detailed enough.

Mistake #2 - Trying To Save Money By Using Your Employees To Move Your Computer Network
Don't ask your staff to disconnect, move and reconnect computers, phones and other devices just to save a few bucks. You'll frustrate them and end up with phones ringing at the wrong extension, lost cables, and workstations that get dropped, rendering them useless. You don't want to let the movers do this job either; they may be great at moving furniture, but a network is a lot more sophisticated and sensitive. Be smart and hire an IT pro to pack and move your network. Doing so will help you avoid communication blackouts and extended downtime.

Mistake #3 - Not Hiring The RIGHT IT Firm To Move Your Network
While we're on the topic, make sure you know what to look for when outsourcing the move. A few things to look for would include references from other clients, proof of insurance (get them to fax you a copy), a service level guarantee limiting the amount of time you are down, and a professional, organized approach to quoting the move. A real pro will insist on visiting your current location as well as your new location to conduct a detailed site survey. NEVER hire anyone who wants to quote moving your network over the phone. Additionally, look for an IT company that will apply the charges for conducting your site survey against the total cost of the move if you choose them.

Mistake #4 - Not Giving Your Phone, Internet And Cable Vendors Enough Advance Warning.
Eighty percent (80%) of unexpected communications blackouts and cost overruns on network moves are caused by failure to properly plan voice, data and electrical installation in advance. Just because the prior tenant had computers and telephones is no guarantee that the cabling is suitable for your phones and your computer network. Advance planning will help you avoid emergency rush fees or band aid fixes to make things work.

Internet and telephone connections require as much as six weeks' advance notice to be installed, tested and ready the day you move in.

If you are building a new office, don't leave it up to the builder to decide how many power outlets, network and phone connections you will need. Remember, changes and additions after the walls are up are at your expense. With printers, scanners, faxes, and other technologies connecting directly to the network these days, the rule of thumb of one electrical outlet, one phone and one network connection per employee is woefully outdated. Consult your IT provider in the early planning stages to ensure you have what you need before the drywall goes up.

Mistake #5 - Poor Communication With Vendors And Employees Prior To, And During The Move
Failure to communicate changes before and during the move results in confusion, downtime and increased expense. Remember, your computers and phones will be unavailable for a period of time before, during and immediately after the move. A little planning can minimize the impact on your business.

-Give your employees, customers, and vendors the anticipated downtime schedule.

-Make a cell phone list of important phone numbers (like tech support contacts, the phone company, cable company, etc.) and give it to your employees. You may also want to provide vendors and customers with a list of employee cell phone numbers to use during the communication blackout that will take place during the move.

-Confirm, confirm, confirm! Call your vendors several times to make sure they have the move on their schedule and planned; don't assume anything!

-Ask your IT provider to temporarily re-route important e-mail and phones to another location during the move, or set up a web portal to enable you to access e-mail from a laptop or home computer so you're not completely disconnected.

Planning a move? Call EZSolution at 717-291-0370.

"The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential."

-Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO