My Data Disaster

Several years ago, we were working on site at a customer’s office. We decided to take a break for some lunch. I packed up my working documents, my laptop, and other tools. Went down to the car, put my bag into my trunk, then proceeded to the restaurant next door for some lunch. I think I had a buffalo chicken sandwich and an iced tea. Finished my relaxing lunch, walked to my car to pickup up my laptop bag and to my dismay found my car driver’s window smashed out and my trunk open. My laptop had been stolen from the most secure place in my vehicle.

Along with at least 6 months of work on a project…

I was devastated. Not only had my 2-week old brand new car been violated, but I had a deadline due to my customer for my project. I was instantly 6 months or more behind, and more importantly was going to let my customer down. At that moment, I realized just how invaluable my data was to me… and my client.

We’ve all had experiences like this. Some form of “data disaster”. My clients have seen building fires, car break ins, failed hardware, spilled coffee, a renegade thumb… you name it, I’ve had to help many of my clients through “data disaster”.

If only I made a backup… a copy of my project files. I would have been OK… But I was too busy. I would get a backup made after I finished a certain section. I had procrastinated myself into disaster.

Luckily, there are several services that can help you prevent such a “data disaster”. There are a multitude of cloud-based services available on the internet that are very affordable. After much research, I landed upon MozyPro as my personal recommendation.  It works well for the way we do business today. Across several devices, anywhere and everywhere we are. It also has some technical features that makes it the best choice for server environments such as email and databases.

It’s easy to install and use. After signing up for the service, I downloaded and installed the small software on my office PC, MacBookPro, and 2 home office computers. The software then made its initial copy of all my important files which took several hours – overnight in fact. Now, as I work, my files are automatically updated online as I update them on my computers. And recently made also available on my iPad and iPhone as well! Yes, I can actually view my folder and files on my iPhone and either view them or email them to someone ANYWHERE I happen to be.

Cost varies on how much data you want backed up, but I would say that $10-15 per computer to $50+  per server would be a good starting budget to consider.

One more thought…  Signing up with CAP5 provides the next level of support… CAP5 will monitor and ensure your backups are always happening and provides the personal attention to ensure you are “data disaster”-proof as possible.

If you don’t have a backup – get one TODAY… RIGHT NOW… Your data needs you to…

http://capfive.com/mozypro.aspx

Apps Everywhere!

Apps ! Apps! Apps!  They are EVERYWHERE! They started on our smartphones, then to our tablets and now are moving to a favorite desktop or laptop computer near you.

It started with Apple and the iPhone. You just visit the App Store from you iPhone and download this little App to change your life. It has been so successful that Apple opened the App Store for Mac about a year ago. You can purchase, download and install your favorite applications and even upgrade your OS from the convenience of your couch. I actually just updated my own MacBookPro to Lion this past weekend this way. It’s been so successful that even Microsoft is rumored to be offering the same app store concept from its new Windows 8 operating system slated to be introduced later this year.

You can today even purchase and use apps right on the web, like Microsoft’s Office 365 or Google Docs. You just open your favorite internet browser, go to a website and start using your word processor or spreadsheet -- without installing anything on your computer. Your documents are kept in the cloud so they are accessibly anywhere. In some cases, you can actually access your documents directly on your computer-installed software (like Microsoft Word or Excel) as if they are located on your office network shared drives.

Another interesting, useful product is MozyPro. Using their service for your off-site backups of your PC or Mac will soon be offering a new feature called “Stash”… document sync and availability anywhere… and from your smartphones and tablets… and for NO ADDITIONAL charge!!!

Folks, the software vendors are making this just too easy for us by:

• the new power unleashed by the infamous “Cloud”
• some renewed intuition centered around making their software products more accessible
• less dependent on a particular device – using your computers, smartphones and tablets

Understanding all the differences between all the offerings and how you integrated them into your business workflows can be a bit daunting. A trusted advisor can always be helpful. Discuss how these new technologies can become part of your business with your technology partner today. And as always, if you don’t have one, give CAP5 Technology Solutions a call.

Have comments or review requests? Drop me a line... I'm listening...

CAP5 Dave
713-979-5284
dchase@capfive.com