Backup for POS computer

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cjmst3k

cjmst3k

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Apr 25, 2006
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I have one of those all-in-one computers for my sales counter. No back up. Started using POS 1.5 years ago. Was thinking about one of those cryptonite or similar websites to back up the whole computer (which I assume is how it works?). Is this how you back up, or rather, is this a plan that will save all files in case of a computer meltdown? I'm wanting to avoid a separate physical HD because being an all-in-one computer, I have no wires or anything on the counter except for the one power plug. Anyone familiar with all of the options that would work to save files?

Thanks!
 
I use Idrive, it doesn't back up the full disk, just my important directories, I like it because it does incremental backups (I.e. just what has changed, so is very quick)
 
why not do clones onto a wireless or network attached drive?

most of the online stuff isnt really design for meltown type stuff for for file backups
 
Most POS systems will have you do a daily backup to a flash drive, as part of your daily closing routine. It only takes about 5 seconds to do - for the important files. It doesn't cover your documents, spreadsheets, bookmarks, or anything like that. In addition to that, some of them have an online backup thing built in.

One thing to be aware of is that a lot of the online backup programs will conflict with POS software. If you want to use your files (or have them open) while that software does, there will often be a sharing violation type error. In some cases this can result in file corruption - or very odd error messages. On the opposite side of the coin, most of those offsite backup systems will not be able to back up all of your files while the system has the files in use/locked. If you leave the POS open 24/7, and use one of those, it's likely that you are not having your stuff fully backed up.

I have our online/offsite backup scheduled set to run 6 nights per week - at 9pm, and never to run during business hours. Most of them can be scheduled only to run during certain hours/days. This is in addition to the daily flash drive backup, which goes to 6 flash drive rotation. (we are open 6 days per week, one for each day)

Backups are incredibly important, and sometimes overlooked. You're wise to be looking at alternatives, for multiple backups.

Mike
 
We backup several ways:


  • External hard drive (NAS) for backups of all important data (customer scans, customer files, accounting data, FrameReady files, etc)
  • Dropbox for all but the image files, along with a bunch of other, non-critical files that we want or need to share
  • Separate external hard drive for offsite backup in safe deposit box at the bank
  • Another external hard drive at home that's a close but imperfect copy of the NAS
  • Carbonite, which we have configured to backup everything from the NAS and Dropbox. Carbonite is slow but runs in the background, so who cares. Priority here is to backup all customer data of any kind. Other stuff is less important.

When it comes to customer data, I don't take chances.
 
Carbonite and a Seagate external drive with auto backup. Never had an issue and have had to restore from Carbonite before. Took some time but saved my bacon.
 
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