Data archiving is the systematic approach to storing, managing and searching for files, e-mails, instant messages and other application data. Archiving provides a single-instance store of data in a central storage device, allowing you to free up disk space by eliminating duplicate files.
Archiving lets you define data retention policies for various data and users. Such policies ensure the proper storage of data and deletion when no longer needed. Data archiving enables users to perform advanced searches. For example, e-mails or instant messages can be searched and flagged for legal review during an e-discovery process, or prevented from being altered.
How Will Data Archiving Solutions Benefit My Business?
Archiving solutions can help you to:
- Provide structure to unstructured data
- Automate storage and data life cycle
- Simplify backup and reduce recovery windows
- Reduce total cost of data storage
- Comply with data retention policies and regulations
How Can I Help My Business Embrace Data Archiving?
When implementing an archiving solution, you should ask yourself:
- How often is data accessed?
- Where does your data reside and what costs are associated with that storage?
- How many duplicate files are stored?
- How much of your data is searchable
- How tamper-resistant are your files?
What Is Included in a Data Archiving Solution?
An effective data archiving solution is typically comprised of a mix of the following components:
Archiving Software
Data archiving software automates the movement of data through various tiers of storage during the data’s life cycle. Archiving software can delete the file at the end of its retention period. Data archiving software also provides single-instance storage of each file, freeing up disk space and processing power for backup and storage systems.
E-Discovery Software
Using archiving software as a base, e-discovery software employs advanced search features and systematic archiving inventories, enabling users to quickly search all files and e-mails for a particular topic. Legally-significant files can be flagged to ensure they are not altered or deleted in accordance with data retention policies.
Archiving Storage Devices
Archiving storage devices move data off production servers, which improves performance and simplifies administrative management. These devices can be as simple as a dedicated server, network attached storage (NAS) or, for enterprise needs, a storage area network (SAN).
How to Get Started with Data Archiving
Your CDW Account Manager and certified specialists are ready to assist you with every phase of choosing and leveraging the right solution for your IT environment. Our approach includes:
- An initial discovery session to understand your goals, requirements and budget
- An assessment review of your existing environment and definition of project requirements
- Detailed vendor evaluations, recommendations, future design and proof of concept
- Procurement, configuration and deployment of the final solution
- Ongoing product lifecycle support
