You can pound a nail into a wall with just about anything (last time I resorted to using the handle of a screwdriver), but for the best results I suggest using a hammer. This rule also can be applied to your corporate data protection strategy.
No organization should safeguard all its data with just one tool. While perhaps it can be done (refer to screwdriver-and-nail example), it just isn’t efficient or sufficient for achieving the best results. That’s why it’s good to have a “hammer” and “screwdriver” in your corporate tool kit; in this case, I’m talking about disk and tape technology. Using the proper tools for the job, disk is the answer for business-critical data while the needs of less critical data are perfect for tape.
Relying on one tool to meet all tiers of your data protection needs exposes you to the unnecessary risk of data or revenue loss as well as potential regulatory incompliance. While choosing the most appropriate tool ensures the most satisfactory user experience, using your tools in unison creates a tiered data protection strategy that will deliver the most appropriate levels of data protection according to its value to the organization.
Following along on this theme, it’s important to realize that a one-size tool doesn’t fit all applications. That’s why Overland’s NEO SERIES and ARCvault tape automation products as well as REO SERIES disk-based backup and recovery appliances are offered in a variety of sizes and capabilities—so they can be mixed and matched to best suit specific applications along the data protection continuum.
Beware of any vendor that would tell you otherwise. The truth will come out by looking into their toolbox; (1) it probably contains a limited product line and (2) whatever their tool is, they’ll be sure to tell you it’s the exact one you need to solve your problem (regardless of whether you’re trying to shrink your backup window or improve long-term data retention).
Any experienced IT person knows that isn’t true. Disk isn’t the answer to everything anymore than tape is. At Overland, we know this very well because we have lived it. While the company earned its spurs as a pioneer in tape technology, we added complementary disk-based offerings to meet a wide range of requirements, including disaster recovery, business continuity, regulatory compliance and e-discovery liabilities.
Our complete product portfolio enables us to solve your problem whatever it is, and accomplish it optimally. We do not try to force-fit problems into our solution; we do not hammer with a screwdriver, so to speak. We look at your environment, understand your challenges and then reach into our toolbox to provide a solution optimized specifically for your business and budget.
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Peri Grover
Director, Product Management