The data you backup has varying operational value.
So why don’t most backup vendors offer you flexible pricing?

Long ago, before the dawn of time and the internet, we treated all data as equal. On that basis, all data was backed up to one type of storage medium, and there it stayed. Since then, most businesses have been overwhelmed by an explosion of data. And we’re told what data needs to be kept, under what circumstances, with what security protection, and for how long.

But guess what… not all data is created equal. Most companies have some data that’s crucial, but will never change (a contract, for example). On the flip side, there’s database records, current documents, email, contact and calendar information — data that could really impair a company’s ability to operate if it could not be immediately restored after a catastrophe.

This means we must tailor our backup strategies accordingly. And once that data is backed up, we need to implement intelligent data management strategies that maximize efficiency along the conflicting axes of data availability and cost of storage.

We work with our customers to design Data Lifecycle Management (DLM) strategies for them. How do you manage long-term storage of crucial operational data vs. stagnant data? This is part of implementing an Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) strategy that defines the date after which a particular category of data is migrated from one (higher cost) storage system to another, less expensive storage system.

We call the less expensive option “Tiered Storage.” We think our customers should be able to formulate and utilize the rules for migrating their data, and in so doing benefit from lower costs. In this simple diagram, $Y & $Z are of course much lower in cost than $X , so we design a blended pricing model that results in a very competitive overall monthly cost.

How does this work, in practice? It all starts with our software, which enables you to develop your own rules. We work with you to first identify operationally critical, “young” data (which requires more frequent backups on higher performance devices )that is needed to get back into business. Less critical, “inactive” backups are relegated to less expensive, lower performance devices. And then older, stagnant versions of backup files are moved to slower devices to further reduce costs. Yet, any backed-up data, on whatever type of device, can be restored whenever needed.

Don’t lock in your backup data costs to one arbitrary high $ value; make sure you have the flexibility to manage it based on its value to your business. Storage Guardian can help you get the most out of your backup investment, and minimize your monthly costs.