HolloGraphics Relies on Tandberg Data RDX QuikStor

Tandberg Data announced that Winchester-based advertising, design and print agency HolloGraphics, suppliers of custom printed vinyl advertising solutions and point-of-sale display solutions to 3000 customers across the UK are using Tandberg Data’s RDX QuikStor for automated backup and continuous data protection.

HolloGraphic’s IT infrastructure reflects that of many typical small businesses in the UK. It is entirely PC-based, running Windows Vista/Windows 7 and Exchange Small Business Server 2008. The software deployed includes specialist print software – Omega and Versaworks – and all work is backed up by Memeo software. Their online store is hosted by Actinic.

Each graphic solution is unique and specified by the customer and, because each file is individual, requires constant backup as files are used. As a small office with two permanent employees, IT support is a hands-on affair with artwork, images, photos, Microsoft Outlook Exchange, .pst files requiring ongoing backup attention. Previously, backup was conducted each day manually via an HP Buffalo Terrastation directly attached to the server with further archiving onto DVD for off site storage.

Dan Rye, Director at HolloGraphics, and takes up the story: "We have always been aware of the critical importance of securing our customer files and we wanted to move to an automated, easy-to-use, portable solution that would allow multiple backups yet still provide the ability to take copies home each day.”

With 325GB to be backed up across the system and data growth of around 2GB per week, key criteria in Dan’s backup storage selection process was an ongoing flexible growth path, ease of use and of course, rugged portability.

Enter the Tandberg Data RDX QuikStor into the HolloGraphics business. With one external USB 2.0 RDX QuikStor bay and two 500GB cartridges, Dan now can continuously back up all files. Every file is protected as it is saved to disk, regardless of whether the system is connected or disconnected to the RDX QuikStor. RDX QuikStor offers HolloGraphics simple click access to earlier versions of files while easily protecting against accidental deletions, corruption and overwriting. In effect, Dan found that RDX QuikStor technology merges the best of both tape and disk—the convenience, portability, long archive and low cost of tape with the fast data transfer rates, random access file retrieval, data reliability and transparent capacity growth of disk
 
Backing up all files takes a matter of seconds as the RDX QuikStor has transfer speeds of up to 45MB/sec. At the end of each day, Dan simply swaps cartridges, taking one pocket size, shockproof copy with him in his briefcase. 

He notes: "Many small businesses would benefit from the use of RDX QuikStor as HolloGraphics undoubtedly has. We have been using the system for several months now and have total peace of mind that we have a complete backup of the entire business (six years’ worth) wherever we go. We check the backup data integrity weekly, by restoring a selection of files. Access to data is near instant. We feel thoroughly comfortable and confident of our choice.”

And with the size and quality of graphics and images ever increasing, Dan is happy that the Tandberg Data RDX system can grow with the company and the expanding client base.  

He comments: "It’s unlikely that we will outgrow the system for a while, but when we do, it will be a question of simply purchasing higher capacity RDX cartridges.”

And Dan concludes: "Although we have never had cause to use it, as a small business, it’s good to know that we are also protected with disaster recovery through the RDX QuikStor as the backup allows HolloGraphics to make complete system images-snapshots of the system at points in time – to provide complete protection should our server fail or other disaster occur. It’s a plug-and-play solution that’s available right out of the box and is now a critical part of our infrastructure.”