By James Redder

Online data back up is a necessity for your business. Business continuity and disaster recovery depends on a reliable data backup and restoration process. The backups should include the capability of backing up related computer drive data and associated database data. Statistics would demonstrate that having both of these types of data backups will usually provide the best overall data coverage. An online back up service provider is a viable solution and finding the right one can be a challenge. Through this article we assist you making this all-important choice of identifying the right online data backup vendor for your business.

Use A Two-pronged Method
First, you should know the minimum short and long-term standards of online backup service you are looking for. Now, identify a short list of appropriate online backup service providers based on that criteria.

Secondly, we will assess the assembled list of online data backup service providers against the complete set of requirements. The key requirements for assessing the short list of online data backup candidates is as follows:

Experienced Vendors
If a candidate has been in business for 5 or more years, he is more likely to be of long-term assistance. Statistics would demonstrate that many new services start with vigor but end up busted in a short span of time.

Sizable Business Clientèle
To gauge a company's satisfaction percentage, it is always advisable to check if they have had a large database of business clients that have been with them for long durations. If possible find out the specific online data backup solution that the clients used.

Security
Candidates who have world-class data storage centers as a rule provide protection against unauthorized access and should be the first on your list. They are also protected against natural disasters and fire, hence assuring you of good physical security for your data.

Expandable plans
As your business grows, you will require additional storage. Besides fulfilling your `immediate needs, the candidate must have expandable data back up plans on offer for your long term needs.

Affordability
The vendor must provide backup services according to your budgeted plans. However enticing 'free for life' storage plans sound, these companies are hard pressed in the long term for their own survival and must be excluded from the short list of candidates.

Using the above criteria, you will have the list of short listed candidates who offer the minimum level of services to support your online data back up requirements