Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is Remote Data Backup / Online Data Backup?
- Q: Why does my business need to backup its data?
- Q: I only use my computer at home. Why do I need to backup my data?
- Q: What are the advantages of remote data backup?
- Q: Why should I use Efficient Data Storage remote data backup service?
- Q: Can I run out of storage space?
- Q: Can I manually start a backup?
- Q: How long will my backups take?
- Q: What types of files should I backup?
- Q: How much will my files compress?
- Q: What happens if a backup is interrupted while it is in progress?
- Q: Can I use my computer while the backup is in progress?
- Q: Will a backup occur if my computer is in sleep, hibernate or power save mode?
- Q: Will a backup occur if my screen is locked or if I am not logged in?
- Q: Can I backup a mapped network drive?
- Q: What happens if I lose my username and password?
- Q: What happens if I lose my encryption Key?
Q: What is Remote Data Backup / Online Data Backup?
A. Efficient Data Storage is an online backup and online data storage service that gives you state-of-the-art data protection at an affordable price. Data from your PC's, Laptops and or Servers is backed up through the Efficient Data Storage Remote Data Backup Client software, encrypted, compressed and then sent securely via IP to our secure off-site data centers.
Back to TopQ: Why does my business need to backup its data?
A. Your business data is crucial to everyday operations. Data is vulnerable to accidental deletion, hard drive failure, disgruntle employees and natural disasters like fire and floods. If you lost all your business data today, how much and how long would it take to recreate? Because your business data is important and vulnerable, every business needs a reliable data backup plan.
Back to TopQ: I only use my computer at home. Why do I need to backup my data?
A. In todays digital era, more personal data such as digital pictures, documents and personal finance is stored on home systems. If you lost your pictures, these memories are lost forever. Unfortunately most home computer users do not have any kind of backup. Most are under the misconception that the new equipment will not fail. Properly backing up ensures that you will never lose your important files or memories.
Back to TopQ: What are the advantages of remote data backup?
A. Backing up to traditional backup devices such as tapes, Cd's, Dvd's, flash drives or other removable storage devices in inferior to Remote Data Backup. First there is the inconvenience of storing the backup devices off site, otherwise the backup device could be destroyed in the event of a fire, flood theft. Second all removable storage devices fail eventually. Third, recovering data can sometimes be difficult and a tedious process. Remote Data Backup eliminates the hassle and worries of traditional backups. Remote Data Backup is easy to use, it runs automatically, it is secure and affordable. Remote Data Backup requires nothing more than a computer and Internet connection.
Back to TopQ: Why should I use Efficient Data Storage remote data backup service?
A. There many factors that differentiate Efficient Data Storage from other online backup services. Efficient Data Storage was created to satisfy the broad need for an easy to use, automatic and secure method of backing up data remotely. The goal of Efficient Data Storage is to provide a cost-effective backup service that can be used by anyone with the features of backup systems used by Fortune 500 companies. Efficient Data Storage has quickly gained recognition with customers nationwide, who have come to recognize that Efficient Data Storage provides them with a Remote Data Backup solution that is easy to setup and use, automatic and most importantly, secure and reliable. Software features are only part of what makes Efficient Data Storage stand out. Efficient Data Storage has built its reputation on providing world class customer service and technical support. At Efficient Data Storage, we understand how important each customer's data is, that is why we have implemented a redundant Remote Data Backup server to your service. We view backing up as insuring the valuable and crtitical assets of a business or an individual. Efficient Data Storage, a Remote Data Backup service is truly an insurance for your data.
Back to TopQ: Can I run out of storage space?
A. No. You can never run out of storage space. If you are using more than the storage space included in your plan, then you will receive an email approximately 7 days before the end of your billing cycle. You will be able to continue to backup and use the service uninterrupted. This 7 day period gives you the opportunity to delete files that no longer need backing up or to purchase additional storage space.
Back to TopQ: Can I manually start a backup?
A. Yes, you can manually start any of your backup sets at any time.
Back to TopQ: How long will my backups take?
A. The time it takes to perform a backup will depend on the number of files you are backing up, the size of those files and the upload speed of your Internet connection. Keep in mind that for most broadband connections, upload speed is considerably slower than download speed. Your first backup may take hours or even days as all of the files contained in your backup set will be transmitted to the EDS servers. Subsequent backups will take a substantially shorter amount of time as only files created and/or modified since the previous backup need to be transmitted.
Back to TopQ: What types of files should I backup?
A. We recommend that you back up important documents such as Microsoft Word and Excel documents, financial information and key databases as well as important multimedia files such as personal pictures. You may also want to backup your emails, contacts and calendar.
Back to TopQ: How much will my files compress?
A. Every file that is backed up will be compressed. However, the amount of compression depends on the type of file. Some files, such as Microsoft Word documents will often be compressed as much as 3:1 or 4:1. Other files such as picture and audio files will compress very little.
Back to TopQ: What happens if a backup is interrupted while it is in progress?
A. If a backup is interrupted because it was cancelled or because the Internet connection was lost, all of the files that had been backed up before the backup ended will be available to be restored. The remote data backup client will try to reconnect for upto 8 hours. Once a connection is established the backup will transmit the files from where it left off.
Back to TopQ: Can I use my computer while the backup is in progress?
A. Yes. You can use your computer as you normally woulf, including accessing the Internet while a backup is in progress. Backups should not significantly affect your system's performance.
Back to TopQ: Will a backup occur if my computer is in sleep, hibernate or power save mode?
A. Depending on the configuration of your system, the remote data backup client may or may not work properly if your computer goes into sleep, hibernate or power-save mode. Please check to make sure that automated backups occur if your computer enters such a mode. If automated backups do not occur, you may have to change the mode settings or turn the feature off.
Back to TopQ: Will a backup occur if my screen is locked or if I am not logged in?
A. Yes. You do not need to be logged into your computer for a backup to occur. You may also lock your screen.
Back to TopQ: Can I backup a mapped network drive?
A. Yes, the remote data backup client software supports the backup of mapped drives.
Back to TopQ: What happens if I lose my username and password?
A. If you lose your username or password, email us at support@edsdatastorage.com or call us at 866-903-2497 and our customer support team will help you with your user information.
Back to TopQ: What happens if I lose my encryption Key?
A. Should you loose your Encryption key and the remote data backup software is installed, you can regenerate the encryption key. You will then have the ability to save the encryption keys to a safe location and print out a hard copy for safe keeping. If you have had a system failure, you will not be able to retrieve your data without your Encryption Key. This is because in order to ensure that your data is completely secure, Efficient Data Storage does not store a copy of your Encryption Key. EDS does not store a copy of your Encryption Key!
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