Tips for Evaluating Backup Companies

As more and more companies choose to outsource their data backup functions, some do little more research than simply surfing the web for information. But in light of many recent data security breaches, some experts say the search for the right backup company should be a little more thorough.

In an article on Computerworld.com, AmeriVault's Bud Stoddard offers his best tips for evaluating potential outsourcing partners. His recommendations include:

• Ask how long the company has been in business. "Bigger isn't necessarily better," he says. Make sure the company has at least three to five years experience.
• Visit the data center, if at all possible. Stoddard says, "anyone operating from his kitchen table could advertise his company as a backup vendor," so check to make sure it's a real company before you sign.
• Ask if they have a lot of customers like you. "Don't be first and don't experiment," he says.
• Check for round-the-clock customer service.
• Is backup the company's core business or just one of a great many IT services? "I don't want a part-time surgeon, and I don't want a part-time backup company," Stoddard says.
• Ask about the company's finances. "More than 80 percent of companies fail in the first five years of operation," he reminds us.
• Look for and get service-level agreements. You need guarantees when it comes to your data, Stoddard says.
• Make sure pricing is appropriate. "If the price looks too good, it probably is, so move on," he says.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.computerworld.com
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