Business Backup
- Utilities

On-line backup for utilities providers

Utilities providers are generally more efficient and careful with data than most business groups. It is essential that utilities providers offer automated metering and billing to meet modern consumer expectation and reduce customer care inbound costs. The existence of this level of automation alone generally signals clear process as inefficient data management systems predictably do not lend themselves to the degree of automation required by utilities providers.

Given that process and automation are in order, the prime data concerns for utilities providers are data backup and availability. Backupanytime offer utilities focused data backup and availability plans. If you have read this document thus far, it is likely that you represent a utilities provider and share responsibility for data backup and availability. Also likely there is a level of expertise above and beyond consumer level. For these reasons we will assume a proficiency in data backup and get to the crux of what differentiates Backupanytime from competitors with regard to data backup and availability for utilities providers. General information however at consumer and small business level is available throughput this site and you are welcome to peruse and download this information in conjunction to what is presented here.

The data backup and data availability differences between Backupanytime and most other offerings from a utilities providers viewpoint.

Retention period
This is the time span covered by a backup system. Modern quality offerings will retain at least one version of each file no matter what the retention period is. For example, if the retention period is one year, then one day after the anniversary of data backup service, all original files for which at least one later version exists will cleared from the backup. Any file for which there is no later version will be kept regardless of the time span. Most providers offer a thirty day retention period and many do not offer the facility to retain at least one version of all files. Backupanytime do offer retention of at least one version off all files. We also offer the longest default retention period in the industry of 365 days and the facility to configure this down and up to no limit.

Encryption method
Backupanytime offer multiple encryption method options. Our default data encryption method is blowfish which is the industry banking method. If however you have a desire to use another industry standard encryption method you can choose this. We support DES 8.2, DES8.3, triple-DES, Blowfish variable key, AES 128 bit, AES 192 bit and AES 256 bit. This facility to change between encryption methods is as a consequence of significant software investment and is not available from the vast majority of providers.

Encryption secrecy
It is common for online backup providers to issue clients with encryption codes. This obviously means that said online backup provider could potentially read the data. Your encryption code is all there is between your data and prying eyes. Modern encryption methods are by design very safe. They are so safe that your online data backups and data in transit are far more secure than the data in your office. This however is not the case if anyone else has the code. The staff behind the counter in your bank do not need to know your encryption code. Likewise, your online backup provider should not need to know your encryption code. With our system, we do not issue you with a code. You generate the code yourself and can change it at any time without reference to us. Again, this is not the case with many online backup providers as a consequence of poor systems and software. This is a very important distinction between our system and most other offerings. Make no assumptions about this vital feature as its absence negates any notions of security and confidentiality and an ability on the behalf of your online backup provider to read your data, regardless of their bona fides raises questions of ethics with regard to your right to send client data t that provider.

Full manual sign off on confidentiality.
As a consequence of the client safety our encryption offers, we can and do sign off manually for all clients on data confidentiality. Any provider who issues you with an encryption code can not do this. The word “confidential” is overused to the point that it now relates to an understanding that something should be kept private rather than an absolute commitment that it will. In addition to the fact that we can not read your data, we sign off that any information regarding your company, clients or employees which may become known to us as a consequence of discussions and dealings with you will remain absolutely confidential in the conservative sense of the word.

Local restore point.
Our software allows (and with bit level backup provides by default) local restore point of all versions of all files. This allows for fast restore of large quantities of data but more importantly allows restore on a functional computer if and when broadband is down. The availability of the local store is not required t restore remote data and our disaster recovery system will allow restore to any computer given your backed up computer is stolen or completely destroyed.

Unlimited person to person technical support.
Many online backup providers offer email support or limited telephone support. On-line backup is a simple process. Restore (particularly disaster recovery) is a worrying scenario for any business person, including and possibly more particularly, competent I.T. personnel. We understand this and are available for consultation and general hand holding in all restore scenarios.

Independent capability
Many online backup companies today are little more than sales agents. Restore requirement with such “providers” often shows them to be little more than a go between for a non backup, general data centre who has little interest in and no responsibility for your data. Our experienced technicians will not be phased by a restore requirement. We are p-partnered with a number of world leaders in information technology (as per technology partners page on this site) but we do not depend on any of these companies to provide data or support to our clients.

Simple and effective restore search and examine pre commit.
It is not uncommon for a user to need to restore a file or set of files and not to know the name of the file or the relevant date. With our system you can search by any or all of the following; file name, partial file name, file type, file date (you can search by date or see all by date versions which ever existed for a particular file) or file association. (if you do not know the name, date of extension of the file and just know the application it was created in or is used by you can search by file association)
In addition you can change the restore from default location to a new folder and back, thus allowing you to do and examine test restores without committing overwriting any current data.

Annual data audit facility.
There is no singular area which can be said to be the primary concern with regard to online backup. Among the most important areas are which data to select, appropriate retention period, type of backup to use, number of backup sets to employ and spread of local and remote backup. We are available to advise on all of the above and on the types and default locations for data pertaining to most common business software applications. We will assist with this on initial and once annually as part of the service and are available likewise for a cost related charge at additional times such as when you have a major network upgrade.

Please that the above s not the limit of services we provide. It is a list of distinguishing differences between our services and the competition. We have not yet (Dec 07) identified one online backup provider worldwide offering all of the above.

If you represent a utilities provider and would like to implement a world class online backup solution, talk to Backupanytime today.

Backupanytime.com, for responsible people and their important data.