Reducing on-site data storage, archiving to cloud and recovery are few aspects of a cloud backup.  For an IT team, backup is a critical task and cloud helps simplify on-site backup process and cuts resource time. 

Why use a cloud backup?

Traditional backup methods using tapes, or disks has few setbacks.  Lesser security, longevity, and additional costs for increase in storage, and for managing.

Whereas, a cloud backup solution does not require additional hardware, it is flexible, and storage is reliable. You can implement in two ways, a hybrid cloud backup and a direct cloud backup.

Problem scenarios with small businesses

Backup planning and poor implementation are two major issues with small businesses. In a research by Gartner, they say about 35% of businesses have a backup plan, and 70% are not confident.

Other than the above two issues, onsite server management, PC based backup solution running on all staff computers, an office manager taking daily backup only on hard drives are a few other problem areas. Also, lacking a document management system adds to it, as there is no proper way to organize and control duplicates which makes data storage and access inefficient.

 Our client Alliance mechanical, a specialty contractor was desperate to solve their ongoing data storage issues and managing their servers.  There were two options, either to continue managing servers and fix the storage part or offload their server management to cloud so they don't have to deal with on-premise servers.  Application hosting on cloud was making sense for them, so their choice was to move away from on-premise server management.

 Microsoft Azure is a great fit for any size of organizations and allows to set up either direct or a hybrid cloud backup. We at AEC Cloud have been supporting our customers on Azure for both application hosting and backup services.

What does Azure Cloud backup offers?

Scalable

The ability to meet the requirement in size or volume allowing business to continue function is the value of cloud.  Conversely, as data grows the need for increase in storage, and relative costs are unstoppable.

 Security

The main element in the cloud backup process is confidentiality as internet is the medium for data transfer.

Data goes through an encryption process when you upload or download. It converts as a code during upload and decodes while downloading. This encryption involves a key to code or decode. And encryption takes place over the network using protocols including Secured Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) . In addition, access controls helps to avoid over writing existing backups.

Recovery

IDC research states that the average cost of downtime is about $20,000 or more for 80% of businesses. And about 20% claims their cost per hour of data loss is at $100,000.

A cloud based-backup is also a solution to business continuity and disaster recovery due its ability to restore or recover.

Cloud backup solution in Microsoft Azure provides Global redundant storage (GRS), and Local redundant storage (LRS). GRS creates three copies of data in three regions, and LRS generates three copies in a single location.  Enabling these features, the recovery experience is better than any other tools.

Costs

The emerging trend in the Cloud is causing all types of solutions to be transparent.  Pay as you go model allows you to only pay for the volume of data in offsite storage. An IT team can easily forecast costs and usage which may not be possible before. But the cost is incremental as the data grows. However, when comparing between buying hardware which is a capital expenditure, cloud storage cost becomes an operational expenditure.

Cloud backup, an entry point

Cloud-based solutions are transforming IT infrastructure management and using a Cloud backup can be an entry point for businesses to realize the value it offers.

The two options to test them are, setting up backup directly to cloud or setting up a hybrid cloud backup solution.

Azure stand out among the available cloud backup solutions, and it is a best choice for businesses. You don’t need to install backup software on individual user computers or keep running a backup round the clock on your server. The backup agent on the server can handle the process depending on the backup routine.

However, with a backup plan including retention policies and recovery procedures, you may realize the value.

What next?

 If you are not already taking advantage of a cloud backup solution, maybe it is time to make a choice. The trend is Cloud-based solution, and you don’t want to stay behind.

AEC Cloud is a Microsoft Cloud Solution provider assisting organizations on backup planning and implementation. Wherever you are in the cloud journey, contact us now and we are confident our expertise would make a difference.