Treat backups as a core component of our service. In order to do so, we need a one-size-fits-all backup solution.
Criteria:
File, database or server image backups
Direct-to-cloud backups and recoveries
Protection for VMware, Hyper-V and physical servers
License for unlimited number of servers and endpoints
Built-in WAN optimization
SSL encryption in flight, AES encryption at rest
Compliant with HIPAA/ITAR/SOX requirements
Backup system state from physical or virtual environment
Restore both physical and virtual backups to cloud-based virtual
Cloud storage of backups
Optimize for WAN transfer
HIPAA compliance
Work for a high majority of all systems of all clients, regardless of industry, regardless of technology, regardless of most factors. I can understand that no product could have 100% coverage, but we should aim for... 95% coverage? That is 95% of all clients are 100% covered across all of their systems for complete backup. They need no extra equipment, we handle it all, we get all notifications, we respond to any and all backup warnings and errors. Successful backups are usable backups, restorable in the cloud.
Verified backups
Simulated restores
Alerts, notifications, monitoring, and/or an API to integrate this information into our own systems
If like to single a single dashboard of all systems of all clients at one time, including summaries and priorities
Backup to the cloud (but additionally allows backing up anywhere, any cloud, even on prem)
RTO of seconds, RPO of minutes
Verification process
Universal recovery
Distributed copies of backups
Continuously updated virtual standby
De-dup
This may not be the best list. What is?? What would you add? What would you change? What criteria is more important than others? What product(s) will meet the requirements?
Notice I didn't say anything about cost. Do we need to provide backups as a default service for our clients because they expect us to protect their data (opt-out backups, not opt-in)? Does it make sense to choose one product that works for the majority, or a handful of products that each work for a handful of clients, but is more precisely and economically tuned per client? What management / overhead costs are incurred for the various products and how do we minimize that while keeping reliability and dependability at an all-time high?
Isn't it fair that as a paid subscriber of KMS our clients can and should expect and trust that their data is protected, by default? They shouldn't have to be sold separately on a backup plan. They just want service and protection, don't they? How can we most reliably and uniformly provide that to all of our clients? Is a client willing to pay $100/user/mo for service and not have any promises on data? Would they be willing to pay $150/user/mo to know that their data will always be available, even if a virus gets in there or they do something dumb?
Anyway... I'm just saying as a user I want to pay one easy to understand fee, I want all my IT needs taken care of, and that includes protecting my data. What good is my IT company if I still have to worry at night about my data -- the whole reason I have a need for IT in the first place!!
Similar to #51
Problem
We have had too many incidents of data loss.
Proposal
Treat backups as a core component of our service. In order to do so, we need a one-size-fits-all backup solution.
Criteria:
This may not be the best list. What is?? What would you add? What would you change? What criteria is more important than others? What product(s) will meet the requirements?
Notice I didn't say anything about cost. Do we need to provide backups as a default service for our clients because they expect us to protect their data (opt-out backups, not opt-in)? Does it make sense to choose one product that works for the majority, or a handful of products that each work for a handful of clients, but is more precisely and economically tuned per client? What management / overhead costs are incurred for the various products and how do we minimize that while keeping reliability and dependability at an all-time high?
Isn't it fair that as a paid subscriber of KMS our clients can and should expect and trust that their data is protected, by default? They shouldn't have to be sold separately on a backup plan. They just want service and protection, don't they? How can we most reliably and uniformly provide that to all of our clients? Is a client willing to pay $100/user/mo for service and not have any promises on data? Would they be willing to pay $150/user/mo to know that their data will always be available, even if a virus gets in there or they do something dumb?
Anyway... I'm just saying as a user I want to pay one easy to understand fee, I want all my IT needs taken care of, and that includes protecting my data. What good is my IT company if I still have to worry at night about my data -- the whole reason I have a need for IT in the first place!!