Cost efficiency (backup)

How can I reduce my costs in the backup environment?

When storing and backing up data, it is always important to understand what type of data is involved. Only then can you determine whether the current strategy is still appropriate or whether it needs to be adjusted:

• Is the data accessed frequently?
• For reading and/or writing?
• Does this data require special protection, or is one-time storage sufficient?
• If the data is rarely moved, could it even be archive data?
• Are the data volumes so large that storage on hard drives becomes too expensive in the long run?

Once this understanding has been gained, either through analysis or simply through experience, the groundbreaking decisions can be made. When it comes to backups, for example, it is still advisable to consider the use of tape. Tapes can be removed from the tape library, stored ‘cold in the cabinet’ and incur no running costs.

Not only does storing data incur costs, but so does processing it, i.e. infrastructure.

The type of disk storage used to store data has a significant impact on costs. It is important to find a healthy balance between performance, availability and cost. For example, it does not always make sense to store backup data on block storage with SAN infrastructure. A redundantly designed NAS may provide the required performance at a fraction of the cost, especially when you consider its deduplication capabilities.

Last but not least, the software used offers significant potential for savings:

Are there still contracts with large software companies that could be obtained more cheaply from smaller providers?
Is the software itself still suitable for the task, or are there now other providers who can offer the same performance for less money?

This point should be evaluated regularly and discussed with your trusted IT partner. The range of powerful solutions has become so extensive that it is worth weighing up your options on a regular basis.