This is where you can find almost all the answers you'll need! Click on one of the sections below for answers to any questions you might have
General Questions
Business Edition Questions Personal Edition questions My question isn't answered here!
What’s wrong with what I’m already doing? Why do I need this?
Most people believe external hard drives or USB thumb drives for backups are perfectly fine. The fatal flaw there is that if anyone gets their hands on it, then they can read it. Don’t think so? Take your portable hard drive backup over to a friend’s house, and plug it in. See for yourself. Thumb drives get misplaced. Hard drives get dropped. And CD’s and DVD’s have been shown to have a very much finite lifespan, plus they get lost too.
Using tapes at work? Tapes fail about 1/3 of the time. Do you really want your business-critical information to be subject to those kinds of odds?
What’s so special about what you have?
Lots! For one thing, your data never leaves Canada. This matters because most service providers are based in the U.S., which means that the information is subject to U.S. law. If the U.S. government decides that it wants your information, it can get it, no matter who says what..
For another thing, our service is one of the best values around. When you compare the options we offer against the competition, the numbers won’t lie. We don’t charge for many of the little things that the competition gets you on, like updates or on-site installation.
Third, our service is outstanding. Try it, and find out for yourself!
How much does the software cost?
The software is free. So are the tech support, the onsite installation, and the software updates.
What if I don’t want you coming to my place to install it?
No problem. There are two other options. One, we can use remote control tools to install the software for you (there are a couple different choices for how to accomplish this). Two, you can choose to install the software yourself. The software itself, along with complete instructions, is located on the Advanced page.
How does it work?
It’s pretty simple really. First, the software does what’s called an in-file delta (see the next question for more on this) to determine what needs to be backed up. Next, those changes are compressed, or zipped, to make them smaller. Then that compressed info is made unreadable using military-grade encryption, using a key that only you know. Lastly, the software sends the information offsite to our server, using banking-grade encryption.
What does ‘In-File Delta’ mean?
After your data is backed up the first time (the ‘reference copy’), then only those parts of a file that have changed will get backed up. This makes the backups go faster. For example, let’s say that after the ‘reference copy’ is taken, you receive 15 emails over the next day. The next time the backup runs, instead of backing up your entire email file again, the in-file delta will recognize those new emails, and backup only them.
Where does the data go?
Our storage servers are located in downtown Vancouver, B.C., in a secure below-ground data centre (actually it used to be a bank vault!).
How do I restore my data if I lose something?
See chapter N of the user manual on the Advanced page.
Does it work over dial-up networking?
Technically, yes it does. However it’s not really practical. To use our service we really need you to have a cable or ADSL internet connection.
How much does the service cost?
A full price list is located on our Advanced page.
How do I know the software is working?
Two ways: first, when the backups are actually in the process of running, you’ll see a flashing icon in your system tray (in Windows, that’s the area by your clock at the bottom right of the screen); second, we send you emails to let you know that the backup has succeeded, or to let you know if it didn’t.
I never receive any emails? Now what?
If you aren’t receiving any emails, send us an email at ask.us@savemydata.ca
Can it back up Exchange mail?
Absolutely. The service can do either an entire mail store backup, or a brick-level backup (see next question).
What does Brick Level Backup mean?
Brick-level backups give you the option of specifying individual account, or even specific emails within a single mailbox for backup or restore.
What versions of Exchange are supported?
The software supports Exchange 2000 or later.
What is Continuous Data Protection?
In short, it allows you to back up a file as soon as it's changed. While not recommended for constantly changing files like mail stores and databases, it allows you to back up files (such as documents and spreadsheets) as soon as they change.
What databases are supported?
Supported databases are MS SQL 7/ 2000/ 2005, MySql 3.2.4 or higher, Oracle 8i or higher, and Lotus Domino 5.0 or higher.
Will the software work with my company firewall?
Yes. Outbound connections take place on TCP port 8443.
What operating systems are supported?
Save My Data works on the following operating systems: all versions of Windows; Mac 10.3.4 or later; Linux kernel 2.4 or higher; AIX; HP-UX; FreeBSD; Netware 6.0/sp4 or Netware 6.5/sp1 or higher; Solaris 2.x or higher.
Actually, most operating systems are supported. The client software relies on Java2 runtime 1.4.0, so if you can make Java work on your computer, then our software should work too.
What’s the difference between the Personal Edition and the Business Edition?
The Personal Edition is designed for use by home users, who simply want to make sure their data is safe but don’t need all the bells and whistles. The Personal Edition software is still a full featured client with most of the functions of the Business Edition, with some limitations. For example, you can only specify one backup schedule with the Personal Edition, and you can’t back up files from across a network. For a full comparison, please see the feature matrix on the Advanced page.
What operating systems are supported?
The Personal Edition software works on all versions of Windows, as well as on Mac 10.3.4 or later.
My Question Isn't Answered Here
Take a look at the user manual under the advanced page. If you still can't find what you're looking for, drop us a line at ask.us@savemydata.ca, or fill out the contact form on our About page.
Quick Facts
-
- 80% of all data is held on PCs
- 70% of companies fail after a major data loss
- 32% of data loss is due to user error
- 15% of laptops suffer hardware failure annually
- 10% of laptops are stolen annually