The Tech Times - Blog of Fuse Technology Group

We have been getting a lot of questions on how Fuse’s remote backup service is different from the “other guys”, so we decided to write a brief article to show exactly how Fuse’s service is superior to the other guys remote backup service.

Just because someone has a remote backup service, doesn’t mean it’s actually working.  Usually you would have to pay a tech person to check your remote backup, and to also verify you didn’t go over your allotted space with the vendor, or to check if it is even working at all.   That is where our remote backup service is different, we monitor it daily from our system.  There is no need to log into your servers/workstations for Fuse to check on your remote backup; with Vault your backups are prominently displayed within our tech center on a constant basis.

 Q: What is the difference between Fuse’s Remote Backup Service “Vault” and other remote backup services?

A: Like any piece of software, it needs to be monitored and maintained in order to be sure the backups are happening correctly.  If the other guy’s software stops running or experiences an issue, it’s up to you as the customer to notice it and repair it or to pay someone like Fuse to do so. Unfortunately, in many cases, it’s when you needed it to work the most.   So just because you have signed up with the service that doesn’t mean it’s actually working.   With Fuse’s Vault, your backups are monitored on a daily basis.  They are displayed on one of our many big screens in the Fuse tech area, which means Fuse is always aware of your backup status since it’s displayed front and center.

Q: The other remote backup services are cheaper.

A:  The same saying goes in technology:  you get what you pay for.   Keep in mind they are only cheaper on the face value of the service.  If it needs to be repaired or maintained to make sure its running properly, you have to pay an hourly rate for a tech person to repair or maintain and not knowing how often this will need to be done does not provide excellent budget guide lines.    With Fuse’s remote backup, anything done to maintain or monitor it is included in the monthly fee.

Q:  I have remote backup already.

A:  While many have remote backup, how often is it actually checked on a daily basis? Just because someone has service, it does not always mean it’s actually functioning properly.

In Summary, Fuse’s Vault will give you the peace of mind you are looking for when it comes to backing up your essential company data. No other service will provide you with:

1. Managed, Monitored and Maintained.
2. One monthly fee which includes anything and everything necessary to make sure your remote backups are running properly.
3. No hourly costs to repair, maintain, or to check that remote backups happened properly.
4. Backups are monitored in Fuse’s Tech Center, on a 42in LCDs, prominently displayed, all day every day.
5. Fuse is alerted immediately if a remote backup on your system has not taken place

What is the life span of a server?  It’s a question we get at Fuse pretty often. While it always depends on the function and exact specifications of the server in question, we can give a general average of about 4-6 years.

Should I get the best server on the market? 

When you are thinking of purchasing a server, what do you think you should look for?  Many think they should get the Cadillac of servers because they will last longer or accommodate company growth better; however, that is simply not true in most cases.  While you absolutely want to accommodate for future growth, you can do so without breaking the bank.  You can also purchase a server with upgrade potential in mind.  That way, as your company grows or your uses for the server grow, you can then cost effectively upgrade.

Of course, being the geeks that we are, we would love if every client had multiple servers with all the cutting edge technology and a floating virtual environment.  The sad part of that though, is only us technicians would see the benefits both technically and financially.  For that reason we always stress for clients to find the server that is not necessarily on the bleeding edge of technology but one that actually fits their business needs all while keeping those future needs in mind!  These days you can get a power house of a server that will definitely meet the 4-6 year life span, without breaking the bank.  But be aware that you can also go overkill, which you will not feel in the future, or not necessarily increase the lifespan of said server.

My Future Needs?  Functionality Changes Everything!

Today you may look at your shiny new server and think this is going to last me forever, but the simple truth is that you will not want that server forever.  Let’s use 4-6 years as the example here: think about your technology 6 years ago…did you have that Android phone?  What about an iPad?  Did you think 6 years ago that you would need those devices?  So the very simple truth is not that your server won’t perform the functions it does today, but that you won’t want it to 6 years from now.  There will be new technologies, new items your business depends on, and you will want or may even need a new server with that functionality because of what it will do for your business.

Bottom Line
Fuse’s success depends on our client’s success and we feel that every business should have the technology that fits their needs, and not NASA’s.  While our expertise stays on the bleeding edge of technology, we don’t always feel a client should be sold that if they will never benefit from the end results it provides.  When Fuse installs a server, know that it is a server that will give you those 4-6 years of service, and you will actually feel the benefits from the speed and functionality of that server. You will never be oversold or undersold when you purchase a server with Fuse as your partner.