Salesforce data backup and recovery solution

Spanning Backup The sheer amount of data that every organization or enterprise stores need backups to keep it safe from emergencies, crashes, technical issues, data theft, and other potential security issues. This is why investing in a good Salesforce data backup and recovery solution for businesses is crucial. A quality backup solution helps safeguard your critical company and customer data, allowing you to run your business with ease and peace of mind.

Let’s delve into the world of data backup solutions by defining what they are, what their benefits are, and how to choose the right one for your enterprise. We’ll also give an introduction to Spanning Backup, Platinum Partners preferred data backup solution for businesses.

Salesforce data backup and recovery

What is Salesforce data backup and recovery solution?

Salesforce data backup and recovery solution is software that can store, back up, and retrieve large amounts of data. It could run on the cloud, as an on-premise tool, or both. A robust data backup tool typically offers common backup services such as: Full backups – Backing up the entire system with every single folder, file, application, and operating system you are currently using. Incremental backups – Starts with an initial full backup, then saves only the changes made since the previous backups. Differential backups – A bit similar to incremental backups, however, this takes up more storage space with a faster restore time. Mirror backups – The source data is exactly replicated.

Generally, data backup tools encompass those used by individuals and organizations alike. They have the same ultimate goal for individual users and businesses – to protect data and have a spare tire in case of any losses.

Individual backup tools are commonly used by persons or micro-businesses who only have a small amount of data to be saved. That’s because such tools only hold a limited amount of storage compared to enterprise-grade tools. Common cloud computing options double as an individual backup solution, such as Google Drive and OneDrive.

Meanwhile, enterprise-grade data backup tools are often used by businesses to safeguard their data from accidental losses. They can also be used to retrieve and restore data should an emergency loss occurs. Such tools form part of many businesses’ data recovery plans.

A lot of backup solution providers are file-based, which means they have processing and storage facilities where your data is safely stored in case you lose them on your primary servers. Larger backup providers have several remote data servers that store your entire business’ systems and files in different locations. You can retrieve your data worry-free with these providers because they have several backups for your system data in case any of their own servers go down or require maintenance.

You can use Salesforce data backup and recovery solutions for businesses as a complementary tool for your existing database or CRM solution. Backup software is especially important for business tools that do not have a strong backup and recovery plan feature on their own.

Benefits of Using a Data Backup and Recovery Solution

Data backup and recovery solutions are an absolute must for every business, big or small. That’s because these tools offer convenience and peace of mind, letting you run your business efficiently without worrying about data loss and its severe impact on your operations.

Let’s go into more detail about the benefits of having a data backup for businesses:

Benefits of Using a Data Backup and Recovery

1. It’s a safety net for CRMs and business tools that do not have built-in data protection features.
Case-in-point: Salesforce, as powerful as this popular CRM may be, it lacks a satisfactory data backup and protection service for data entered into each business’ respective orgs. Salesforce previously had its Data Recovery Service which was taken down last July 31, 2020. This deprecated service offered manual point-in-time recovery for damaged or lost Salesforce data, performed by Salesforce Support. It had been a last resort for businesses, and Salesforce took it down because of its high price tag ($10,000 per organization) and the length of time it takes to complete (6-8 weeks minimum). Salesforce does have some limited data protection features in place, such as a 30-day sandbox refresh, export to a data warehouse, and a weekly export that excludes your full data set. These features may not be agreeable to enterprises looking for more comprehensive data backup and recovery services. As such, data backup tools allow you to seamlessly back up an entire dataset for your CRM, be it Salesforce or others. A reliable data backup for businesses creates a strong safety net for your data, ensuring that it is always updated, readily accessible, and seamlessly recoverable in case of emergencies.

2. It prevents problems that may occur due to data loss.
Let’s face it, data loss can be a huge pain for businesses. Data is immensely important to keep business operations running smoothly. Any losses in customer or system data can hinder your operations, slow down your business, and result in unsatisfied customers. Occasional outages and downtimes may be inevitable, but frequent ones can result in data loss, compromised services, and stunted business growth. Backing up your business data lets you minimize the risks of having lots of downtimes and outages. It also helps protect your data so that you can get to it right away even if you experience some technical difficulties in your business systems. Backup tools allow you to resume business as soon as possible in the event of technical issues, preventing potential operational and customer-related problems from data loss. Utilizing these tools lessens the chances of losing sales opportunities and interruptions in customer services.

3. It lets you manage your IT resources efficiently.
Your internal IT team can focus more on their more pressing tasks if you use a reliable enterprise-grade backup solution. That’s because these tools already take care of automatic backups and restorations, taking that burden of work off your IT team’s shoulders. They can focus more on their main tasks while being more productive because they don’t have to worry much about data loss and security.

4. It enhances your existing data security.
It is mind-boggling to think of all your business data being open and exposed to various threats that may eventually cause data loss or theft. But with a robust and reliable backup provider, you can rest easy knowing that your data is kept even more secure on top of your existing data security protocols. Most data backup for businesses uses encryption and other technologies to secure your data copies, giving you an added peace of mind and allowing you to concentrate on your products and services.

5. It allows you to save error-free versions of your data.
Data versioning is all about saving newer copies of your files as you make changes to them. You essentially create versions of your older files each time you save newer ones. That way, you can go back and retrieve older versions if needed in the future. Manually creating different versions of your files and data can be tricky and difficult. Using a data backup tool for businesses eases up the job and lets you create error-free data versioning. You can create sequential versions of your essential data seamlessly by utilizing Salesforce data backup and recovery tool.

6. It saves you time and money, translating to additional income in the future.
Data backup and recovery tools are an important investment for a business. It may be costly initially, but it can save you lots of money in terms of not having to deal with data losses. Also, using a data backup tool can cut down on IT operational costs since it means faster backup systems and lesser problems for your IT team. You get a good return on investment for your data backup tools while having more room to grow your business’ income.

Essential Questions to Ask
When Buying A Salesforce Data Backup Solution

Selecting and purchasing a Salesforce data backup and recovery solution for businesses is no easy feat. Ask yourself the following essential questions to ensure that you’re looking at the right data backup solution for your enterprise:

  • How do you need your information stored? Use disk imaging software if you need to rebuild the entire operating system and your applications during an outage. Meanwhile, select file-based backup tools if your concern is data storage.

  • How large is the amount of data you need to back-up? Can your chose backup tool accommodate all of your data? Does it have sufficient storage for your data?

  • Does the tool run automated backups? Can you schedule recurring and on-demand backups conveniently?
  • Does the tool allow you to use your system while performing the backup? Can the backup tool run non-intrusively in the background while you work? Keep in mind that some enterprise-grade backup solutions may render your system unusable during a backup session, especially if it’s a full backup.

  • Is your data encrypted as it is being uploaded to the backup tool? How does your backup solution encrypt and protect your data? It pays to know if and how your data is encrypted while at rest and while in transit, especially if it will be stored in the cloud.
  • Does the tool let you monitor the status of your ongoing and previous backups seamlessly? Good data backup for businesses offers a clean dashboard and backup notifications on email and office messaging apps such as Chatter for Salesforce.

  • How do you access your data during disasters and emergencies? What are your restoration options? Can the data backup and recovery tool get your system back up and running right away? How many minutes or hours does it take to get full data recovery in case of disasters?
  • Is your backup tool compatible with your business solutions or CRMs? It must ideally run for your existing databases running on platforms such as G Suite, Office 365, Salesforce, and others. recovery in case of disasters?

By answering these questions, you’ll come up with a vision of what an ideal SMS solution your business needs. You can then proceed to narrow down your app options until you find what’s most compatible with your enterprise.

Questions to Ask When Buying A Salesforce Data Backup Solution
Considerations When Selecting Salesforce Data Backup and Recovery Solution

Additional Considerations When Selecting Salesforce Data Backup and Recovery Solution

Aside from the questions mentioned above, there are other considerations to take note of when choosing the best Salesforce data backup and recovery tool for your enterprise. Keep in mind the following additional factors:

Ease of use – Your data backup and recovery tool should be user-friendly with a clean dashboard and simple yet intuitive interface.

Seamless integration – The solution should seamlessly integrate with your CRMs and business tools for a smoother backup and data recovery experience.

Deployment – Select a backup solution that runs wherever your CRMs are running. Nowadays, it’s a sound option to choose backup solutions running as a SaaS, on the cloud, or web-based tools.

Reporting – Choose a solution with clear reporting, dashboards, notifications (email and in-app), and audit logs.

Security – Check your preferred solution’s security features to make sure your data is safeguarded properly. Check the uptime rate, encryption, compliance, and other security details.

Pricing – Don’t expect robust backup solutions to be super-cheap, but do look for reasonably-priced options that offer a lot of features relevant to your business backup needs. Most tools are offered on a per-user, per year or monthly pricing. Ask for a quote or check if volume pricing is available. Even better if the tool has a free trial period so you can check it out first before committing to purchasing the backup solution.

With all these in mind, you’re all set to assess and find the right data backup for businesses!

Reporting – Choose a solution with clear reporting, dashboards, notifications (email and in-app), and audit logs.

Security – Check your preferred solution’s security features to make sure your data is safeguarded properly. Check the uptime rate, encryption, compliance, and other security details.

Pricing – Don’t expect robust backup solutions to be super-cheap, but do look for reasonably-priced options that offer a lot of features relevant to your business backup needs. Most tools are offered on a per-user, per year or monthly pricing. Ask for a quote or check if volume pricing is available. Even better if the tool has a free trial period so you can check it out first before committing to purchasing the backup solution.

With all these in mind, you’re all set to assess and find the right data backup for businesses!

Our Solutions for Salesforce Data Backup and Recovery: Spanning Backup

Platinum Partner proudly offers its preferred Salesforce data backup and recovery solution – Spanning Backup. This robust tool is a cloud-based native solution built for platforms such as G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, and Salesforce.

Spanning Backup is an enterprise-grade backup and recovery tool that features a high level of security and compliance, making it a great backup tool for almost any platform on the cloud. You can seamlessly backup your data and have it restored in a myriad of ways, albeit in a few clicks. It also has an excellent restoration system that quickly and efficiently gets your systems up and running in a few minutes.

Several G Suite, Office 365, and Salesforce users choose Spanning Backup for its unmatched features, enterprise-grade compliance and security, ease of use, and unlimited storage offerings.

Salesforce Data Backup and Recovery: Spanning Backup

Features

Here are some of Spanning Backup’s most notable features. Please note that most of the features listed here are general, but some may be specific for Salesforce users.

Administration and Reporting

  • Clear status monitoring and audit logs
  • Email and Salesforce Chatter notifications
  • Monitoring for API usage and logs
  • API limit configuration
  • Suggestions for error corrections
  • Salesforce Lightning Certified

Backup

  • Unlimited storage space and data retention
  • On-demand backups
  • Automated daily backup scheduling

  • Customizable backup time
  • Salesforce-related backups specific for metadata, custom objects, attach ments, Force.com, and Chatter data backups
  •  Non-intrusive backups running in the background as you work

Security

  • Strong SSL Encryption
  • Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption for protecting data in transit
  • 256-bit AES object-level encryption with random encryption keys and rotating master keys
  • Application-level authentication using OAuth 2.0 protocol
  • Global data centers
  • Virtual private cloud
  • Detection of intrusion via log analysis, real-time detecting, rootkit detection, file integrity checking, and active response
  • HIPAA, GDPR, and SSAE 16 compliance
  • UE-EU Privacy Shield Certified
  • SOC 2 Type II Certified
  • Uptime rate of 99.9%
  • Operates under the Amazon Web Services Cloud

Restoration

  • Point-in-time restore

  • Metadata restore
  • Granular restore
  • Cross-org restore for Salesforce
  • Salesforce Sandbox Seeding
  • End-user on-page self-restores

  • CSV import restore
  • Parent-child relationship restore
  • Field level restore
  • Anonymization of data
  • Search-based and bulk items restore
  • Exports for whole Salesforce accounts

All of these robust features and security details are packed into a powerful yet user-friendly dashboard that runs natively on your chosen platform, most notably on Salesforce. You can get daily automatic scheduled backups and a quick data restoration whenever you need it.

Installation and Ease of Use

Please take note that you need to have certain administrative powers in your platform before using Spanning Backup, namely:

  • For Salesforce – You must be a System Administrator inside your org.
  • For G Suite – You must be a Super Admin on your domain
  • For Office 365 – You must be a Global Admin in your tenant.

Once you’ve checked your administrative position in your SaaS platform, you can proceed to your free 14-day Spanning Backup trial. You should retain your administrative position to continue using Spanning for good.

You’ll be prompted to install your native Spanning app compatible with the SaaS platform you’re using. 24 hours after completing the initial setup, you can start your initial system backup. The app installation is easy and you won’t have a hard time exploring the dashboards once you’re done.

Note that Spanning Backup is available only as a cloud and web-based SaaS solution. It doesn’t run on mobile devices.

Salesforce data backup solution Plans and Pricing

Plans and Pricing

Currently, Spanning Backup offers all of those amazing features enumerated in the previous section for a single plan price of $48 per user per year. Volume pricing is also available. Spanning Backup is also available from resellers such as Platinum Partner, still at an affordable price. The pricing includes unlimited storage space for all your Salesforce data (or data on other platforms like G Suite and Office 365).

Spanning Backup also offers a two week (14 days) free trial. Just select your chosen SaaS platform (Salesforce, G Suite, Office 365) and fill up the details on their website.

Customer Support

Spanning Backup offers plenty of user documentation on its website. You can use these easy-to-understand resources to navigate through the solution seamlessly. Webinars are also available for you to check and study.

As of the moment, Spanning Backup doesn’t offer live online support and in-person onboarding. You can email their support team and expect to interact with them only through email for your concerns and questions.

Summary

To sum it all up, a reliable and robust Salesforce data backup and recovery tool for businesses is needed to protect enterprise-grade data and recover it quickly in case of loss or outages. Spanning Backup is a great solution for backup and recovery because it’s feature-packed yet easy to use, and it runs natively on your chosen SaaS platform. It also offers comprehensive backup and restores options. Plus, it’s got plenty of security details that’ll keep your data safe at all times.