To conduct a legitimate test of your backup system, simply viewing the backed up files on a removable hard drive is not enough. A good practice would be to create a test once a year where, for all your mission-critical applications, you run your business using the backup files as the primary data source. This should be done with your portfolio management, contact management, and imaging systems, along with any other applications that are critical to your business. Running these tests might take a little more time, but it is definitely worth it to confirm that your backup process is operating correctly. Do it now; don't wait.
From the July 2010 issue of Investment Advisor • Subscribe!
A True Backup Test
Sidebar to The Technology Coach "It's Mid-Summer Technology Review Time"
About the Author
Dan Skiles, EVP, is involved in all aspects of managing Shareholders Service Group, which provides dedicated services for independent registered investment advisors from its San Diego headquarters. Specific areas of focus include technology, finance, operations and strategy. Prior to joining SSG, Dan served as Vice President of Advisor Technology Solutions at Charles Schwab & Co. He began his career at Jack White & Company in 1994.
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