Do you store important documents on USB sticks? Have you been working on an important memo on your laptop or smartphone but forgotten to transfer it to your desktop? We all know that technology is temperamental at the best of times, but have you taken time to back up your business data? Lost data not only takes times to replace, but it can also cost your business in the long term. Ineffective data management and storage can cause a financial disaster, no matter the size of your firm. So don’t leave it too late, or wait until data loss impacts your business. Make sure that your company and employees are fully briefed about what is at stake if business data is not effectively backed up.
- Software failures
Investing in the latest model or running a software update doesn’t place your business at any less risk of a software failure. Computers risk overheating or could even have a bug or virus, resulting in the loss of all of your business data. Not to mention the age of the current CRM or legacy system that your company uses to manage data currently. To prevent data loss, you will require all of your core systems to be fully protected and working in sync. Services such as CRM integration consulting to HingePoint can enable you to upgrade your CRM and migrate data, ensuring that important information is stored safely.
You will also need to ensure that your workforce follows best practice when it comes to saving and archiving data. Ensure that your employees are aware of which critical data needs to be backed up, and ensure that regular backups are conducted across your company. While physical data backups are a short-term option, external devices risk being lost or damaged if thrown into desk drawers or rucksacks. Make sure that employees understand why data management is important – it may even inspire them to implement the changes that they learn in the workplace on their home technology too.
- Customer rapport
While customers understand that businesses do occasionally suffer logistics issues or misplace orders, when it comes to personal data they might not be so forgiving. Remember customers entrust you with highly confidential information such as their address and credit card number, so be sure that this is safely stored and archived. Backing up your business data will enable you to keep crucial information on file – protecting your firm in case of a software malfunction.
- Time and effort
Some data can’t be recreated when it is lost – in particular, if files have been corrupted. Just consider for a moment how much time you would need your workforce to dedicate to recreating data if your company systems went down? You would need to spend hours, weeks and possibly even years in some cases. If your business data is effectively backed up, then you can relax in the knowledge that you are covered in case of an emergency. Revise your business data management strategy and make sure that you keep data backed up, safe and secure.
