Following on from the last post, here is a little more detail.

There are many computer backup solutions available; the one we use at Flint IT is Storage Craft’s Shadow Protect program which we believe ticks all the boxes. The main benefits of Shadow Protect are:

• High quality and extensive database backups which can quickly and easily be transferred onto a new server if your server should fail. Most companies cannot do this currently as Windows server backup will not restore to different hardware
• Easy to install server backup on all your PCs at once and monitor all backup operations from one central computer
• Fast and reliable recovery of your operating systems, applications, configuration and personal settings and data
• Ability to get your servers back online quickly, and your data restored within minutes with minimum downtime and maximum business continuity
• Backed up information is consolidated minimising the disk space required for computer backups
• Database backup images can be replicated to separate media giving you both onsite and offsite copies of your backup
• Near real-time computer backups as often as every 15 minutes are possible.

We believe that investing in Storage Craft backup could guarantee business continuity in the long term, protecting you from disaster and safeguarding the future of your company. For more details or if you have any questions contact us at sales AT flint-it DOT com or call 0845 3309680

Give Flint IT a call and let our cutting-edge backup and disaster recovery service give you peace of mind

Although backup broadband is essential to safeguard your internet access, a thorough disaster recovery plan must also ensure that you are prepared for a server failure. Your server may be out of sight and out of mind most of the time but could you afford for it to go down? Are you confident that you know the answers to the questions below? If not it may be time to think about improving your disaster recovery plan.

1. How frequent are your computer backups?
2. Is your full system backed up, enabling you to recover to a new server if the old one fails?
3. Do you have an offsite database backup which will enable you to recover if your server is lost to fire, flood or theft?
4. A backup is only useful if you know that you can restore from it; when did you last try to recover data from your existing computer backup?
5. Did you know that 50% of tapes fail? When did you last run a computer backup test?
6. How long does it take to recover from computer backup? Could your business cope with this amount of downtime?

Unless you already have daily monitoring of your backup systems it is likely that you will not feel entirely confident in the answers to all these questions. If this is the case have a look at our blog post explaining how to use Storage Craft’s Shadow Protect, or contact us at sales AT flint-it DOT com or call 0845 3309680 for more information.

Looking for IT backup in the Hertfordshire area? Give Flint IT a call.

Here at Flint IT we know how important IT is to your business. We know that if your computers and IT systems are slow or regularly experience downtime then your business will suffer. We want to give you the knowledge you need to ensure that you are getting the best out of your IT systems, giving you peace of mind and leaving you with time to get on with what is important – the running of your business.

In order to let your business grow unhampered by IT crashes or failures you need systems which are easy to install and use, and which save time and frustration for your staff. This is what the Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) aims to do, giving small businesses the IT capabilities of larger enterprises but at realistic costs.

Your server is like a ‘filing cabinet’ which holds all the data saved from each PC in your office. You need it to be able to access your email, as well as share files and work collaboratively with your colleagues. Microsoft’s SBS gives you a central and secure area for all your data. Everything you save onto the server gets backed up automatically so there isn’t any chance of losing your vital information. In addition all data is protected with access control; you can limit who has access to the data and prevent anyone outside of the company getting hold of it. Having all your data on one server means that you can also securely access this data with mobile wireless or remote IT, allowing you to work from home or on the move.

If you use several PCs in your office and you need to be able to share diaries, contacts and data then a Small Business Server is probably a good thing to think about getting.

The advantages of a Small Business Server are:

• Keep all your files in a central store , easily accessed and found by all your employees
• Have access to Microsoft’s most advanced database technology
• Coordinate diaries and contacts and better enable teamwork
• Easily upgrade to SBS 2011 Standard Edition which will support up to 75 users as your business grows
• Get access to cloud computing and cloud services  such as Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online
• Use cloud-based versions of familiar programs; use the Microsoft Office programs you understand but with increased capabilities
• Regular, reliable computer backup of your essential files and folders which are easy to restore from in the event of a disaster
• Access your database on mobile devices wherever you are

We have recommended Microsoft’s Small Business Server to many of our customers, and now manage hundreds of users. If you have any questions about servers, or are interested in what Flint IT can do to free your business from IT problems, contact us at sales AT flint-it DOT com or call 0845 3309680.

For further details about Microsoft’s SBS click here…

Managed IT support for small and medium companies in Aylesbury, Stevenage, Biggleswade and Hemel Hempstead.

What is the Cloud?

Cloud computing is being heralded as the next big thing for IT, especially in business. Everyone seems to be saying it’s the way to go but what is cloud computing and why should you follow the IT crowd?

The cloud simply means the internet, and cloud computing refers to the process of moving more and more data off your individual PC or your small business server and onto the internet. With cloud computing you no longer run software from your office computer, instead you log into ‘the cloud’ and run it via the internet.

Moving onto cloud services is fairly flexible; you can move whatever you want at a pace which suits you. For example if you are new to cloud computing and aren’t sure if it will benefit you, you could start by moving your email system to the cloud and see how it goes.

Moving your email will mean you don’t have to run your own email server from your office, you will connect to a cloud email server to retrieve your mail – but that happens behind the scenes and once setup you will operate just as  you did with your own email server.

What are the Benefits?

The benefits of moving your business to the cloud could be:

1. Improved cashflow – Regular, monthly payments to your replace higher captital costs to install your own IT systems every few years.
2. Maintenance Solutions – Your cloud provider will assume responsibilities for maintaining and repairing the systems which allow you to access your data. Some will also handle backups.
3. Scalability – Scale systems up or down on demand; easily add new users or software to your systems
4. Increased Accessibility – Access emails and data on cloud storage from wherever you are with internet connection on a laptop, smart phone or tablet computer
5. Easy Sharing – Enable data sharing between employees or clients without the need for email.
6. Collaboration – Work on documents collaboratively with individual internet log-in for each employee to access central data or calendars and diaries

What are the Risks?  

Despite having the ability to relieve you of the burden of server failure or data loss, there are some downsides to cloud computing; risks it is wise to carefully consider before moving your business on to the cloud.

1. Longer Downtime – You could experience major downtime if your cloud provider has a crash or goes out of business. This is likely to be much more costly and time consuming than it would be to get your own office server repaired
2. Security – Issues of trust and security with your company’s data being stored on the internet
3. Changing Provider - Your information could be held to ransom if you decide to leave your cloud provider. Make sure there is provision in the contract for you to leave
4. Less personal – Loose the personal relationship you have with your current IT service provider who may be located nearby and will almost definitely be easier to get hold of in the event of a problem
5. Hidden Costs – You need a fairly stable and fast internet connection, if you don’t have this already you will need to factor in the cost of a broadband upgrade

Should I move?

It is up to you to weigh the benefits and risks and decide if cloud hosted services will benefit your business in the long run. Cloud computing is not for everyone so don’t feel that your systems are out-dated if you do not migrate – it is more important to have the best, most cost-effective solution for your specific needs.

If you want more information about the cloud, or would like to chat through whether it is the right thing for your business, please contact Flint IT at sales AT flint-it DOT com or call 0845 3309680.

Flint IT; your local IT Company in Dunstable or Luton.