Data Recovery Digest

In data recovery, technological agility and flexibility is a must. This is especially true in today's highly interconnected world, where upcoming platforms like the Internet of Things are changing the way we view computing in general. As such, it's critical that data recovery experts strive to achieve greater agility and efficiency when storing, processing and recovering data.

Fortunately, there are a number of methods that can be used in order to facilitate greater agility between all of your enterprise's storage nodes. While some of the following strategies are easier to implement than others, it is the fusion of these five points that comprise agile data protection and recovery.

1. Automation

Automating services between storage platforms, such as data backup or recovery functionality, is the first step toward achieving greater IT agility. By eliminating the need for human interaction, as well as the potential for human error, you can effectively lower labor costs, improve resource allocation and eliminate downtime simply by automating the entire data recovery process.

2. Integration

In order to reach such a level of automation, IT professionals must ensure that their data backup and recovery software is integrated throughout their entire network. A lack of proper integration can prove disastrous for any automation planning and make it next to impossible to attain any sort of centralized IT management.

3. Centralized Management

Once you've achieved automation and integration between all of your storage nodes, it's time to focus on management of your data. Centralized management gives you the luxury of overseeing data that is contained within multiple architectures or nodes. Since you'll no longer have to rely on different backup systems for your on-premises, hybrid and cloud environments, you'll enjoy greater control, visibility and accessibility.

4. Migration Support

In order to achieve complete agility, your data recovery protocol must also include tools for migrating data to an external site. Whereas this was once a straightforward process that could easily be accomplished by IT professionals of all levels, the sheer amounts of data, as well as the various sources of data, have complicated the process.

5. Vendor Compatibility

Finally, you'll need to a certain amount of vendor compatibility when trying to achieve and maintain your IT agility. Although it may be affordable, the act of tying yourself to a specific vendor or manufacturer really only limits your options in the long run.

Keep in mind that you'll also want to work with as few vendors or manufacturers as possible. This goes along with the concept of centralized IT management, which shows that a single management portal is far more efficient and effective than maintaining and using multiple points of contact.

Achieving and Maintaining IT Agility For Years to Come

Given the fact that most enterprises rely on a combination of on-premises, hybrid and cloud computing, it only makes sense to automate data recovery across these platforms and integrate your software throughout your entire network. Couple this with full migration support, the ability to choose your own vendors or manufacturers and a centralized management platform and you too can achieve complete IT agility.