Guidelines For Backup; What Is A Backup; Why Do I Back Up; When Do I Back Up - Activant Dimensions Getting Started

Chapter 2. System Training

Guidelines for Backup

What Is a Backup?

A backup is a copy of your data, programs, menus, and operating system stored on
a magnetic tape. It could be used to restore this information on the computer if it
had been damaged or lost.

Why Do I Back Up?

There are many reasons to have a backup of your data. All of your computer
hardware (CPU, disk, monitor, printers, terminals, and so forth) can be replaced if
damaged. The only thing Dimensions cannot replace is your data. We can give
you a new operating system and new programs but we cannot replace your data.
Therefore, you are responsible for making regular backups. Damages may result
from fire, flood, or other natural disasters, theft or vandalism, or hardware
failure. You are taking a great risk by not backing up.

When Do I Back Up?

You will back up at the end of every business day. All users must be done with
the day's work and be signed off the system before the backup can be made. You
will also back up at the end of every month before doing the month end procedure
and before the year end closing. You must also have a backup of the current
programs, menus, and operating system in case you need to load this information
on your system again. It would be quicker to have that available on-site rather
than wait for us to ship it to you.

How Do I Back Up?

Use the following instructions to make a backup. You will use this method of
backing up until you "go live" (the point at which you convert to using the
computer for daily transactions). After you "go live", the day end procedure
includes the backup routine which is done automatically.

Where Do I Get the Backup Tapes?

You will receive 10 data cartridge tapes as part of your Supply Pack. Each tape
comes in a plastic cover box along with some self-adhesive labels. Affix 2 labels on
the plastic cover box and 1 on the tape itself. Take 6 or 7 tapes and label each one
for a day of the business week (MONDAY, TUESDAY, etc.) or 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. The
remaining tapes will be used for month end and year end backups. You should
keep 12 separate month end tapes (one for each month end) as well as a year end
tape for every year. These tapes will be stored off-site in a safe place such as a
safety deposit box. They are archived just as you archive other company records.
Additional tapes may be obtained either from Dimensions or a computer supply
store.
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