Shadow 5 for Windows

The New Kid in Town

By Ray McGoldrick, Senior Product Manager

and Sonia Fernandez, Technical Writer

Problems with Traditional Backup Software

Backing up computer data without the right tools is usually a frustrating experience, and additionally it can be difficult for average computer users to find the right tools that make data backup and restore a simple and straightforward process. Without a good backup solution, frustrated users neglect the backup process and leave personal data unprotected. So how can we find that solution?

Currently, the two most popular types of backup performed are file-level and image-level backup – but neither of these methods is the be-all, end-all panacea to protect user data. Most average users are looking for a tool to back up a modest selection of important files and emails, an amount notably smaller than the sizeable collection of data both types are designed to back up. Using file-level and image-level backup applications adds a significant amount of overhead – lightning-quick or efficient these backup methods are not – and for most, such solutions can be overkill.

Thankfully, a third type of backup software has recently emerged: continuous, native-format backup. Continuous, native-format backup fills a sizeable niche in data protection by being a quick, minimally intrusive, and low-overhead solution for home and corporate users alike.

Benefits of Using Continuous, Native-Format Backup

Continuous backup is a simple way to safeguard data by reflecting selected files and folders to another location. The backup function perfectly duplicates the data in its native format so that restoring is as easy as dragging and dropping data back to the original location.

A huge advantage of using continuous backup is that data is copied in real time. This eliminates the need to constantly schedule and run backup jobs, a common annoyance found in file-level and image-level backup applications. There is no wasted time or work telling the application to start backing up: the entire process runs silently and automatically in the background without hogging system resources. In fact, continuous backups execute with a low level of intrusiveness that file-level and image-level backup cannot match. One example of this is how continuous backup applications do not force users to disable antivirus software before a job is executed, whereas other types of backup applications do.

Another distinction that sets continuous backup apart from file-level or image-level backup is that data is not repackaged into a proprietary format. This is essential for easy file restoration because file-level and image-level backup software usually require users to restore data by using only that proprietary software. Imagine the frustration when you lose the installation CD: you won’t be able to restore your data until you find or buy the CD again! That is why it is smart to keep files in their native format: it allows users to restore their files without requiring any special software, making data recovery a snap.

Continuous, Native-Format Backup in the Real World

In real-world situations, the flexibility and ease-of-use of continuous backup allows for many different practical applications. For example, continuous backup can:

Protect vital documents and emails – Create a backup copy of the My Documents folder and Outlook emails.

Back up laptops – Data stored on a laptop might be more valuable than the laptop itself!

Archive photos – Digital photos are priceless memories that cannot be replaced, so they should be safeguarded carefully.

Back up to USB Flash drives: Portable storage devices make it hassle-free for users to transfer files and bring work on the go.

Finding the Right Backup Software

            Unfortunately, not all continuous backup applications are equal. Although the fundaments of continuous backup lends itself easily to making practical, easy-to-use, and transparent software, the actual implementation of the application determines a large part of its quality and usefulness to users. A good continuous backup application should have:

Network drive support – Network drives are popular corporate backup solutions, and any professional continuous backup application should support backing up to network drives.

File type filtering – File filtering makes backup job configuration easier by copying only the desired file types from a given location.

Smart USB device detection – Because drive letters are dynamically assigned to removable storage devices by Windows, the application should execute a backup job to a removable device only if that unique device was used when first configuring the job.

Conclusion

            Using a quality continuous backup application makes data backups and restores a simple and straightforward process. It encourages users to protect data by automating the backup process and cutting down on the extra work typically associated with file-level and image-level backup software. If you are tired of wrestling with your old backup application, then continuous backup is a smart solution for you.

NTI

NTI is dedicated to providing effective, easy-to-use software solutions. NTI Shadow™ is a continuous, native-format backup application designed to be automatic, easy-to-use, and transparent to users. To find out how you can benefit from NTI Shadow, or to learn more about other innovative software solutions from NTI, please visit our website at http://www.NTICorp.com.