The Little Geeni

In these tough times, one of the most fundamentally important things you can do is effectively measure which ERP software is going to be efficient, successful, and affordable for your systems. Learning how to compare ERP software and make the right choice is hard though, so here are a few tips to help make the right solution based on what you need for accounting, inventory, CRM, POS, and eCommerce in your business.

Asking the Right Questions

When you compare ERP software, you need to ask the right questions of the companies you’re considering. Ensuring that you are getting the top quality software and that it will work as well as the sales copy claims is a big step. Other questions you may ask yourself as you compare ERP software is whether you should buy or rent, install in-house or get a hosting plan, and whether it is best to work with a vendor or reseller. Here are some quick tips to make answering these questions a little easier:

-Always find and work with resellers if you can as they will bring value to the product and your business. It might seem safer to go with a vendor, but the reseller is going to be able to help you compare ERP systems and to implement them in a way that ensures you get all the features you need to run an effective business electronically.

-While it might be a good plan for a larger business with a central location to have an in-house hosting solution, any small businesses or medium businesses who outsource a lot should look for a hosted solution. Software as a Service allows you to pay a fee each month to use ERP that has already been evaluated and will be maintained for you at a smaller cost.

-However, if you do plan to use software in the long term and are already trying to compare ERP options, make sure to buy rather than rent. While Software as a Service is nice because it allows for someone to help maintain your systems, rental is not all that great because of the lack of support you gain.

Finding Resources to Compare ERP Options

When you start to compare ERP options, you will need to find articles and charts that will help you compare the different feature lists, uses and styles of software on the market and how each of them will ultimately help or hurt your company.

For any company that is seeking a cost efficient, long term plan that will allow them to make their business run smoother and their headaches from management issues to subside a bit, compare ERP software effectively and make a good decision. Make sure you get solid support, long term care, and that the company you are working with has a history of providing quality products and not bolting when you need them most. Only then are you going to be able to be sure that your ERP software solution is the best possible option around.

ERP Compare, Options, Software

In today’s fast moving commercial environment, we all know how reliant we are on computer systems, and more importantly the information contained within them. It is hard to think of the old days, no mobile phones, fax machines, or internet. Manual paper based systems have long since been replaced and the format changed to digital.  With these changes, in real terms hardware costs have reduced dramatically, data storage costs have came down massively – all fuelling the additional use and reliance on our IT systems.

Whilst it is true that a computer system is only as good as the data held within it, most modern systems on the whole are very reliable, but every now and then problems can occur. Data on a computer system is held on a hard drive. This device is a mechanical magnetic device with platters spinning at thousands of revolutions per minute. A mechanical read/write head moves over the platters to retrieve and store information. As the hard drive becomes older, the possibility of failure increases.  What procedures do you have in place in the event of this happening?  Hopefully something other than keeping your fingers crossed!
 
A peer to peer network consists of a number of computers networked together, each working as part of a group, each with their own hard drives containing their own programs and information, but sharing resources and information throughout the group. If one individual computer on the network fails, it may not be a disaster, but it certainly could be an inconvenience if data contained within it is lost.
 
A client server network has a central file server containing the most important programs and data, with clients or workstations requesting information from the central server. Due to the nature of this network structure, backup considerations are paramount. If data failure occurs on this network file server, then all users stop working. In real terms, this type of operation and its reliance is similar to a company that runs on a standalone computer, obviously in bigger terms. If the main computer or server goes down, the computing resource goes down.
 
There are many different options for data backup available. Choosing the correct backup system can make a massive difference in determining what happens should a data problem occur. If you choose the wrong type of backup system, or choose something that is inadequate, then at some point in time headaches and problems are going to occur.
 
3.5″ Floppy Disk Drive
Pretty much a thing of the past, although computers that have been in operation for a number of years may occasionally still use this format for data backup. These disks are pretty much inadequate nowadays, they only store 1.44MB of data and are slow and quite unreliable.
 
CD-RW Disk Drive
Probably the entry level format for data backup. CD’s are very cheap, easily available and can store up to 700MB of data on-board. Handy for backing up a section of data, but due to the size limitation of 700MB, it is unlikely that anyone would ever attempt a full system backup using this format, or even make this their primary backup format.
 
DVD-RW Disk Drive
Very similar to CD-RW and also very cheap, but using DVD’s instead, giving much increased capacity, with standard DVD’s coping with 4.7GB of data. Double layer disks store up to 8.5GB and again are a cheap option.
 
USB Data Key
Simple small key drives which fit into USB ports to give a temporary extra drive; these are very handy and portable with sizes up to 32GB available now.
 
Tape Drive
Travan drives, Micro-DV Tape and DAT are the most common. Travan drives are slower with less storage capability. DAT tapes come in a couple of sizes - 4mm and 8mm tapes which store up to 40GB. On the whole, DAT drives are reliable, but care must be taken to rotate backup tapes and keep the drive clean. With this format being mechanical in nature, along with other storage devices, they can fail as they become older or through extensive use. Because they tend only to be installed on the central file server, care must be taken across the rest of the network to make sure any locally stored data on workstations is additionally backed up if necessary.

Online Secure Backup  With the introduction of high-speed internet technology, it has become increasingly popular for companies to store data remotely. A piece of software is added to the system which is configured by the administrator to backup certain files. These files are securely encrypted and the online backup system then sends the data over the internet to secure remote data centres. Instead of expensive drives and multiple tapes needing to be added to a system, and an operator being responsible for changing daily tapes and organising a routine, the online backup system automatically sends the information at pre-determined times. This eliminates the chance of operator error and sends logs confirming successful operation, or if any errors have occurred. Costs are normally charged on a backup size basis, and tend to be very competitive. Because the system is software driven as opposed to hardware, it is very easy to integrate multiple systems, and can include laptops, remote workers, and external hard drives. Physical security issues, operator mistakes, and device failures are greatly reduced with this method, there are no tapes to remove off site, and restoration of data is fast and easy – whether a single file or a complete system recovery. If you are considering updating computer systems, or looking at your overall data disaster recovery plan, then online backup should certainly be a consideration.

Backup Backup, Data, Local, Online, Options, Storage

Offsite data backups include storage, such as compact discs and DVD’s, memory cards, and flash memory devices including magnetic tapes, floppy discs, USB drives and zip discs. Consumers and businesses have been using these options as offsite data backup for years because they are proven methods for keeping data safe and recoverable.

Although these storages can provide regular computer users with a sufficient means of storing data, hardcore computer workers and large businesses should consider an offsite data backup solution. An offsite solution can provide your data a higher level of security and a reliable storage for all of your materials in the event that uncontrollable incidents such as fire, theft or hard drive failures occur.

When you choose an offsite data backup solution, a third party that specializes in commercial data protection will manage and store all of the data that you provide. Sending data electronically, or by using your computer, involves a process known as “electronic vaulting” or “e-vaulting”.

An offsite data backup provider allows users to back up easily and automatically each day, week or month by connecting to a data center or software. Once connected, you can upload the changed data created during the day, week or entire month (depending on your backup preferences). All of the data you upload will then be encrypted using the industry’s standard protocol, and sent over to the provider’s physically separate data center.

How to Choose an Offsite Data Backup Provider

Although there are hundreds of companies advertising their offsite data backup services, only a few major companies actually provide these services. The hundreds of other companies are usually service providers or resellers of the major companies.

The main offsite data backup vendors are divided into two categories – the “product-only” companies and the “service provider” companies. If you know how to back up data and simply need a program to do it easily, a product-only offsite company (such as Avamar and Asigra) will provide you with their product and an option to subscribe with a service provider that will back up data for you.

On the other hand, if you want a hassle-free offsite data backup solution, then look for service providers, such as Connected, LiveVault or Evault. These companies provide clients with two options – to subscribe with their services where they will host the vault, or buy their stand-alone product where you will host the vault yourself.

Most experts recommend in starting with a service provider before buying a stand-alone product. However, your choice will depend on largely on how well a specific program or service can meet your personal or business requirements.

Backup Backup, Data, Know, Offsite, Options

In today’s fast moving commercial environment, we all know how reliant we are on computer systems, and more importantly the information contained within them. It is hard to think of the old days, no mobile phones, fax machines, or internet. Manual paper based systems have long since been replaced and the format changed to digital.  With these changes, in real terms hardware costs have reduced dramatically, data storage costs have came down massively – all fuelling the additional use and reliance on our IT systems.

Whilst it is true that a computer system is only as good as the data held within it, most modern systems on the whole are very reliable, but every now and then problems can occur. Data on a computer system is held on a hard drive. This device is a mechanical magnetic device with platters spinning at thousands of revolutions per minute. A mechanical read/write head moves over the platters to retrieve and store information. As the hard drive becomes older, the possibility of failure increases.  What procedures do you have in place in the event of this happening?  Hopefully something other than keeping your fingers crossed!
 
A peer to peer network consists of a number of computers networked together, each working as part of a group, each with their own hard drives containing their own programs and information, but sharing resources and information throughout the group. If one individual computer on the network fails, it may not be a disaster, but it certainly could be an inconvenience if data contained within it is lost.
 
A client server network has a central file server containing the most important programs and data, with clients or workstations requesting information from the central server. Due to the nature of this network structure, backup considerations are paramount. If data failure occurs on this network file server, then all users stop working. In real terms, this type of operation and its reliance is similar to a company that runs on a standalone computer, obviously in bigger terms. If the main computer or server goes down, the computing resource goes down.
 
There are many different options for data backup available. Choosing the correct backup system can make a massive difference in determining what happens should a data problem occur. If you choose the wrong type of backup system, or choose something that is inadequate, then at some point in time headaches and problems are going to occur.
 
3.5″ Floppy Disk Drive
Pretty much a thing of the past, although computers that have been in operation for a number of years may occasionally still use this format for data backup. These disks are pretty much inadequate nowadays, they only store 1.44MB of data and are slow and quite unreliable.
 
CD-RW Disk Drive
Probably the entry level format for data backup. CD’s are very cheap, easily available and can store up to 700MB of data on-board. Handy for backing up a section of data, but due to the size limitation of 700MB, it is unlikely that anyone would ever attempt a full system backup using this format, or even make this their primary backup format.
 
DVD-RW Disk Drive
Very similar to CD-RW and also very cheap, but using DVD’s instead, giving much increased capacity, with standard DVD’s coping with 4.7GB of data. Double layer disks store up to 8.5GB and again are a cheap option.
 
USB Data Key
Simple small key drives which fit into USB ports to give a temporary extra drive; these are very handy and portable with sizes up to 32GB available now.
 
Tape Drive
Travan drives, Micro-DV Tape and DAT are the most common. Travan drives are slower with less storage capability. DAT tapes come in a couple of sizes - 4mm and 8mm tapes which store up to 40GB. On the whole, DAT drives are reliable, but care must be taken to rotate backup tapes and keep the drive clean. With this format being mechanical in nature, along with other storage devices, they can fail as they become older or through extensive use. Because they tend only to be installed on the central file server, care must be taken across the rest of the network to make sure any locally stored data on workstations is additionally backed up if necessary.

Online Secure Backup  With the introduction of high-speed internet technology, it has become increasingly popular for companies to store data remotely. A piece of software is added to the system which is configured by the administrator to backup certain files. These files are securely encrypted and the online backup system then sends the data over the internet to secure remote data centres. Instead of expensive drives and multiple tapes needing to be added to a system, and an operator being responsible for changing daily tapes and organising a routine, the online backup system automatically sends the information at pre-determined times. This eliminates the chance of operator error and sends logs confirming successful operation, or if any errors have occurred. Costs are normally charged on a backup size basis, and tend to be very competitive. Because the system is software driven as opposed to hardware, it is very easy to integrate multiple systems, and can include laptops, remote workers, and external hard drives. Physical security issues, operator mistakes, and device failures are greatly reduced with this method, there are no tapes to remove off site, and restoration of data is fast and easy – whether a single file or a complete system recovery. If you are considering updating computer systems, or looking at your overall data disaster recovery plan, then online backup should certainly be a consideration.

Backup Backup, Data, Local, Online, Options, Storage