Why is BDR Better Than Tape Backup?

It cannot be overstated how important it is to have a data backup solution in place for your business. A company without a backup plan is gambling their businesses continuity just to save a few bucks. While using any backup plan is better than nothing, there is one solution that stands out at as the best: a backup and disaster recovery solution.

The Inconvenience of Tape Backup
The alternative to BDR is tape backup. The advantages of BDR over tape backup can be clearly seen when compared to each other. Convenience is one of the biggest ways that BDR stands out. We will break down what it takes to backup with tape; you may be taken aback by how many steps are involved.

• Switching Out Tape: Tape backup comes with the daily chore of having to switch out the old tape that is full, with a new blank tape. "Hooray for having one more thing to do every day," said no one ever.
• Transporting Tape: In your hands is a backup tape full of data. You now must find a home for it. When it comes to storing backup tapes, it's best practice to keep them offsite in case of a disaster. This step will put more physical steps between you and your car at the end of the work day.
• Tape Inventory and Cataloging: You can't just toss the full backup tape in a pile and be done with it. Your tape must be labeled and added to some kind of organized storage system for easy retrieval.
• Recovering Tape Data: In the event of a disaster that causes data loss, you will have to make your way to the tape archives, find the needed backup tape, and then make your way back to the office to set everything up. This little trip to the tape storage room and back counts as downtime. Not to mention, data retrieval from the tape backup solution can take a substantial amount of time.

A BDR alternative is super convenient because we handle everything for you! From our end, Computerware will backup all of your information offsite, and if a disaster strikes, we will remotely restore your data.

The Cost of Tape Backup
With tape backup being so inconvenient, why would a business even use it? Tape backup has been around longer and has a reputation of being the least expensive backup solution. While this may have been true at one time, the proliferation of cloud services makes this no longer the case. BDR is an affordable solution, especially when you consider all the hidden costs associated with tape backup.

• Tape Replacement Costs: Even the most hardcore shopper will get tired of regularly buying new backup tapes.
• Tape Data Integrity: Information on a backup tape is only guaranteed for two years. After the two-year mark, the data will begin to degrade. If you have information on your old tape that is important, you will have to buy a new tape and transfer it over every two years. This is a waste of time and money.
• Tape Maintenance Costs: Remember all of the steps it takes to backup with tape? An employee performing these steps will be getting paid to do them.

Computerware's BDR solution has been designed to improve upon the inefficient and pricey shortcomings of tape backup. BDR is affordable, more efficient, and automated! With BDR, you can sit back, focus on your business, and not have to worry about a disaster taking out your data. Reach out to us at (703) 821-8200 to learn more about the best backup solution on the market!