Applying an Appliance to Your Backup Plan

There are few absolutes for businesses when it comes to their data. Data is the lifeblood of the business and the quantities of data generated and utilized by businesses will continue to grow exponentially; those are givens. One other absolute point, though, is that “one size” does not fit all. In fact, rarely does one type of data backup solution suit all the data protection needs a single business may have.

Data backup options for businesses start with two basic types:

• Local Data Backup: Backed up data resides on the business premises, making data recovery quick and easy. The shortcoming of onsite backup, however, is just that—it’s on site. If a disaster (e.g., hurricane, flood, fire, earthquake, theft, etc.) ravages that business site, onsite storage is also lost.
• Offsite Data Backup: Data is backed up to a remote location (e.g., to a cloud-based infrastructure). Storing data off site keeps it out of harm’s way in the event of a catastrophe, but restoring operations typically takes longer because the backup data is off-premise.

Hybrid Backup

Individually, neither of these options will rectify every issue. A hybrid data backup solution that stores data both locally and in the cloud, however, provides a business with the advantages of both forms of data backup. When properly designed, hybrid backup solutions offer both the speed of local backup and the redundancy and safety of off-premise backup (i.e., cloud).

One effective way to introduce hybrid solutions to your customers is through backup appliances. A backup appliance is connected to the components on an organization’s local network. Pre-installed backup software automatically captures data from each connected device and stores it on its local storage media. The appliance then backs up the same data automatically to remote or cloud storage.

An appliance-based hybrid backup solution gives companies the best of all worlds. The local data recovery and automatic cloud integration allow companies to protect their business-critical data. Meanwhile, complete bare metal backup and recovery ensures small-business customers can get right back to business in the event of a disaster.

And the benefits of backup appliance solutions extend well beyond issues of data and recovery. Appliances offer channel partners the opportunity to establish ongoing service relationships with their customers, as well as to deepen these relationships as trusted solution providers and technology advisers. Small businesses stand to benefit as well, through simplified IT operations and the ability to focus better on their core competencies and on the needs of their customers.

The backup appliance market is expected to grow rapidly this year. This growth is sure to accelerate in coming years, as more companies enjoy the peace of mind and improved business continuity that hybrid backup appliances offer.

David Maffei is vice president of Global Channels at Carbonite, a leading cloud backup service provider. Monthly guest blogs such as this one are part of The VAR Guy’s annual platinum sponsorship program.