Where a smaller business's backup most often ends up
We deploy Synology file servers and backup. With one condition we set ourselves: a backup goes into production only after a successful restore test.
What the vendor's tool does
Based on the vendor's materials (synology.com). We don't add features the vendor doesn't claim.
- The vendor states that its backup tool supports Windows and macOS computers managed from a single console.
- Backups cover the whole system and can be restored to bare metal, including applications, settings and data.
- Deduplication stores repeated files only once, reducing the space needed when protecting many devices.
- Changed block tracking copies only the changes since the previous backup, shortening the backup window and saving bandwidth.
- The vendor also provides a separate snapshot replication feature as part of the device's operating system.
What we do
- We agree with you the acceptable downtime and acceptable data loss, because the whole architecture depends on those two numbers.
- We choose the device and drive configuration based on data volume and the required restore time.
- We configure backup jobs and a second, off-site copy.
- We set up the file share structure and permissions to reflect your organisation.
- We run a restore test, measure the time to get back to work and record the result in a report.
- We monitor drive health, free space and backup job status, with alerts sent to us.
Why one copy is not enough
A backup on the same device, in the same room as the server, only protects against accidentally deleting a file. It doesn't protect against fire, flood, theft or an attack that encrypts everything it can reach. That's why we design three copies of the data on two types of media, with one copy off-site. That third copy is the only one that genuinely saves you after a successful ransomware attack.
What it costs with us
Net prices. A restore test outside a managed IT package can be ordered as a separate service. We recommend one every quarter, whatever form our cooperation takes.
- Backup review and design
- quoted after reviewing your environment
- Deployment and configuration
- PLN 280 net per hour
- Restore test with written report
- included from the PROFESSIONAL IT package, quarterly
- Maintenance and monitoring
- included in your managed IT package
- Device and drives
- separate line item, pass-through cost with a trade margin
- Off-site backup storage
- recurring cost with a third-party provider
What we won't claim
Vendor and reseller websites are full of promises. We won't make these:
- We won't state our partnership tier or partner programme number.
- We won't present space-saving percentages from the vendor's materials as your results.
- We won't promise a specific restore time before testing in your environment.
- We won't guarantee restoring data that was never backed up.
- We don't recover data from physically damaged media. That's a laboratory service.
Questions about Synology.
How long does it take to restore a computer after a failure?
The vendor states that backups cover the whole system and can be restored to bare metal together with applications and settings. How long that takes for you depends on data volume, network performance and the device. That's why we measure it in a test and record it in the report, instead of quoting a figure from the vendor's materials.
Does the device replace an off-site copy?
No. The device itself is a single storage location in the same building as the rest of your equipment. We send the second copy off-site: to storage with a provider, to a second location of your business or to media rotated on a schedule.
We already have a file server. Do we have to replace it?
Not necessarily. We check three things: whether the backup covers the whole system rather than just files, whether an off-site copy exists, and whether anyone has ever restored data from it. If all three are in place, replacing it isn't a priority.
Related
Free · 60 minutes online · no obligation
An IT review, not a sales call.
- You talk to an engineerOnline, by video call. Not with a salesperson. We don't install or change anything.
- We check 8 areasBackups, access, network, email, server, licences, protection and KSeF readiness.
- You get a scorecardThree priorities on one page, emailed after the meeting. Yours to use however you like.
We don't use a contact form. We answer the phone and reply to emails.