Automated Web Backup Service
Jools UK can now provide a backup service, which automatically backs up important data every night over the Internet.

The service works by utilising your Broadband Internet connection to compress, encrypt and then send your important files off to a secure central storage system.

Why use a Web Backup Service?
Traditional Tape or CD backup systems are great, but somebody has to remember to do it. The time you need a lost file, is the time that the tape hasn’t been changed. Also, if your building is broken into, or even worse, was burnt down, the backup tapes are usually left sat on top of the server. You could lose everything in one go.
A Web Backup Service is automatic. It runs every night (or whatever time you tell it to), and sends all of your data away from your site to a secure server on the Internet. The server is hosted in a secure server complex, with security guards, power and fire protection systems, with multiple redundant security features. After going through security, you can then retrieve your data to ANY computer that has an Internet connection, allowing you to get running as quickly as possible in the event of a complete disaster.

All you have to do, is remember to keep your computer turned on, close any programs, and stay connected to the Internet. The software takes care of everything else.

Questions
How Safe is it?
It is very safe, your data is compressed, and then scrambled into what looks like a random mess of numbers (this is known as encryption). Without your encryption key (which only you and your computer holds), nobody else can access your data – even as it is being transferred over the Internet. Even the security storage facility does not know your encryption code.

How do I retrieve my data?
You can retrieve your data from any computer connected to the Internet. You will need to re-load the backup software (which is downloaded from a website). You will then need to enter your customer ID and password. You then connect to the storage system to validate your connection. You will then need to enter your encryption key. You can then download any of the data stored in the security storage facility.

What data can be stored?
Any data can be stored. However, there are two limits to consider.
1. The amount of storage depends on the price plan. The standard level is for 5Gb of compressed storage. All of your data is compressed before being sent to the storage facility. The compression is between 4 and 10 times for most data (except JPEG, MPEG, or MP3 type formats). Generally, this means that you can store between 5 and 50Gb of data on the standard plan.
2. Although Broadband download speeds are now very fast, the upload speeds have remained at 256Kbps. This means that you can only upload around 90Mbytes (compressed) data per hour. If you started the backup at 8pm, you could upload around 1Gb (compressed) data by 8am. To help reduce the amount of data sent each night, the system can send only the files that have changed that day.

How do I know that it has been backed up?
As part of the setup, you enter an e-mail address. At the end of the backup, you will receive an E-mail to confirm that the backup has taken place, and listing any files that caused a problem.


Multiple Version Copies
Depending on how much data you are backing up, you can keep old backups on the secure backup system. For example, say you only backed up 450Mb per day, you could keep up to 10 copies on the backup system (to keep within the 5Gb limit). This means that you could keep copies of documents every working day for the last 10 working days. This can be very useful if you are working on a quotation for example, and suddenly realised that you did want the version you had 5 days ago.

What files may cause a problem?
The backup software can only backup files that are not open. For instance, if you have left a word document open on your screen, it can not be backed up. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you have closed all programs on your computer.

I have a small network of computers, can I back up data from more than one PC?
The software can only be installed on one PC or server. However, providing that PC or server can access the data (either on a local drive or on a network drive), then the data can be backed up.

Is the data stored at Jools UK and does Jools UK have access to the data.
Jools UK are agents for the service. However, we have no access to your account or your data. The data is not stored at Jools UK, it is stored on a secure server storage site. Even the company supplying the service can not access the data, as they do not have your encryption code.

Do I need to keep anything safe?
You will need to keep three pieces of information very safe. This is your User ID, your Password and your Encryption code. The system allows you to print these out, and to make a rescue floppy disk. We highly advise you keep two copies of these, with at least one stored on a different location to your computers.

How much will it cost to set up the service?
There is no setup fee as such, as you can setup the software yourself. However, if you would like Jools UK to install the software, and to setup your system to backup your important data, there will be the usual Jools UK site fees. For most users, it is likely to be around 1 – 2 hours of work. Likewise, if you need help to retrieve your data in the event of a disaster, then we can provide assistance, at the normal site fees.

Is there any maintenance required?
There is no specific maintenance required for the system, as it is automatic. However, it is wise to check once a month that the correct folders are being backed up. It is also wise to routinely do test restores, to check the data. This can be done as often as you like, but we recommend every 3 months. You can either do this yourself, or Jools UK can do this for you, at our normal rates.

How much does it all cost?
The annual fee for the service is paid to Jools UK (it can not be paid monthly). We will contact you during the last month of the service, to see if you would like to renew. The full annual payment will be due on the yearly anniversary of the commencement of the service. This fee is only for the provision of the backup software and storage area. It does not include any setup of the software, checking that it is running correctly, or assistance to retrieve data. All site work is chargeable at Jools UK normal rates.