How it works...
By now you may be asking yourself several questions like - "How does this Advanced Remote Backup process work?" or "How much storage do I need for my backup?" etc, etc.

Why Backup?
Most small businesses put their lives on the line every night and don't even realize it. With businesses depending more and more on the data stored in their computer, proper backups are becoming much more critical. Remote backups accomplish several essential steps that are often overlooked or done improperly by other backup software - especially non-automated tape backup systems.

Why Advanced Remote Backup?
Advanced Remote Backup works basically like regular tape backups, with one important difference. Instead of sending backups to a tape or zip drive attached to the computer, Advanced Remote Backup works by compressing and encrypting your data, sending your data securely over the internet to our off-site data center. It does this (usually) at night while the business is closed and nobody is using the computer. It's completely automatic.

What if we already have a tape backup system?
REDUNDANCY is the key! Using both a tape backup system and a Advanced Remote Backup system offers the best of both worlds. Critical files, like billing, customer contact files and databases can be kept on the remote backup system. The tape system can be used to create a full backup of the entire file system -- including program files -- once or twice a month. In this way, the tapes and the drive will last longer and require less maintenance. Advanced Remote Backup can provide a quick and easy way to retrieve critical files and databases without the hassle of searching through tapes.

How secure are remote backups?
Very. You -- and you alone -- have access to your data files because Advanced Remote Backup encrypts your data prior to transmission to our offsite backup server. Military-grade encryption technology and a user-defined password (encryption key) ensure that nobody, including employees of Advanced Computer Solutions, can access your data. Compare this to the total lack of security on most tape and zip drive systems.

What tasks are required to run a daily backup?
None! The actual backup process itself is fully automated. Once you have configured the time, frequency and list of files to be backed up into the client software, the actual backup will take place automatically on schedule. All you have to do is keep your PC turned on when you leave the office in the evening.

Which operating systems does Advanced Remote Backup support?
Advanced Remote Backup will work with most PCs, laptops or servers running Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, 2003 or XP. To ensure a minimum of software compatibility issues, please verify that you have applied the most recent service packs (software patches) to your system prior to installing the Advanced Remote Backup client software. Advanced Remote Backup software client will also backup remote volumes (files from other computers and operating systems) which are visible as a networked drive to your PC.

What is encryption?
Encryption is basically a mathematical formula that is used to scramble a data file. The only way to unscramble the file is with the proper encryption key. Advanced Remote Backup clients have their own personal encryption key that is known only to them.

What happens if I lose my encryption key?
Unfortunately, encryption keys cannot be recovered. Advanced Computer Solutions recommends keeping a record of your encryption key offsite in a safe location.

What happens if my modem connection fails during a backup?
If a transmission is interrupted in the middle of a backup, the Advanced Remote Backup software client will attempt to re-establish a connection and resume the backup from where it was interrupted.

Can I use my high-speed broadband connection?
Absolutely. This is in fact the preferred method for quickly accomplishing remote backups. It is highly recommended for clients with large offsite storage requirements.

What if I turn my computer off and miss a backup?
If you occasionally forget to leave your computer on, this is not a problem. Advanced Remote Backup will simply resume your backup schedule when you power back up your system. Files that have changed since your last backup will be identified and properly archived when it is time for the next scheduled backup.

Can I backup my network?
Yes. Simply configure your Advanced Remote Backup client software to backup files on a networked drive and it will.

Can I backup more than one computer to my account?
Yes. The number of computers that can be backed up to your account depends on the Remote Backup Package Plan you purchased. Each computer must have its own unique username and password. All computers covered under your account share a "pooled" amount of disk storage space on the offsite backup server.

Does Advanced Remote Backup work if my company has a firewall?
Advanced Remote Backup client software establishes a "passive" network connection to the remote backup server. It is therefore fully compatible with most popular firewall devices on the market today. This includes devices that employ network address translation (NAT.)

How often is my computer backed up?
As often as you wish. You set up the time and frequency that works best for your schedule.

How long does a backup take?
The size of your backup, speed of your Internet connection and amount of compressed data being transmitted will determine the length of time for the backup. Backups can be incremental -- archiving only files that have changed since the previous backup -- or full, to backup all of your critical data. Cable modems, DSL and ISDN connections do speed up the process but are not required. Your initial backup and all full backups will take the longest because it requires transmission of all data files in your backup set to the offsite storage - not just the data that has recently changed.

How do I know that a remote backup actually occurred?
Advanced Remote Backup is configured to email you a progress report at the completion of each remote backup. This lets you know that your backup was completed. If Advanced Remote Backup experiences any problem with the backup, the log files attached to the progress report email will identify the files that have not been archived or other trouble found.

Do I have to install a special telephone line or other communication equipment?
No. Advanced Remote Backup uses your existing Internet connection to transmit files to our offsite storage servers. We highly recommend using Cable Modem or DSL service to use our service.

How do I restore my data?
Advanced Remote Backup lets you select individual files or folders for restoration. If you have a catastrophic loss, simply install the Advanced Remote Backup client software on your new computer, connect to the Internet and restore all of your data up to the point prior to the unfortunate event. In order to recover you data, you must have your encryption key or recovery diskette created at the time you first installed the original backup client software.

How do I know how much storage I will need in order to backup my critical files?
It depends on the number of files you want to backup, the size of these files, and the file types. Some files compress more than others. Once you have determined which files you wish to backup, you can use the property menu to determine the size of each of these files. After adding up the total space used by the files, you need to factor in a compression ratio of 1/2 to 1/4 of the original total size.

The amount of storage you need on our systems is also calculated based on the number of backups per week and length of time retained on our Server. The initial backup of your files is a full backup. The backups retained after the initial backup are incremental backups meaning that only files that have been changed since the last backup are backed up. The backup and restore software you download from Advanced Computer Solutions website can be used to help you determine backup size requirements once your service is established.

Advanced Computer Solutions only charges for storage used after the data is compressed.

How do I sign up for a plan?
Advanced Computer Solutions offers three separate and unique backup and restore plans:

1) Personal Backup Plan (PBP);
2) Small Business Backup Plan (SBBP);
3) Corporate Backup Plan (CBP).

To help you decide which plan to use, visit our pricing page. Once you have determined which plan works for you, simply go to the sign-up page and follow the instructions.

How do I receive the Advanced Remote Backup software?
Once you have completed the signup process, using the sign up page, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will contain the website link of the automated online installer along with the user and password sign on information. The software will be remotely installed and you will be ready to start the backup process.