Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How secure is my data once it's backed up to your data storage platform?

When you register with us, we'll ask you to create your own 'data encryption key'. Without your encryption key, the data cannot be decrypted once it has been backed up! The backup encryption technology is 3-4 times stronger than regular internet banking.

What happens if I forget my encryption key?

We do not keep a record of your encryption key (for your own security!) We recommend that you keep a printed copy locked in a safe or safety deposit box, alternatively give custodianship of the key to a trusted adviser such as your accountant.

What type of internet connection is optimal for the IronTree solution?

We recommend that you have either an ADSL, Diginet or Wireless connection. The daily data backups transmit only data changes for the day (incremental backups), thus the bandwidth required is minimal. Our solution will work over a dial-up connection but this is not recommended due to the potential for the line to fail to disconnect properly once the backup is complete.

Will the IronTree solution use a major part of my monthly ADSL 'cap' and will I thus have to increase the ADSL Cap?

No, the daily incremental backups are (in most cases) extremely small and do not use significant amounts of 'cap'. The exception would clearly be if your business processes huge volumes of data (1000's of transactions per day)

What about the initial backup?

You need to be aware that the first backup could contain a large amount of data and thus this will use up portion of your monthly cap and could take some time. We recommend that you schedule your backups to happen at night. If the data files that you require to be backed up are extremely large, it is possible to arrange that we collect an initial data backup on CD or DVD. We will then create the first 'back-up image' on our servers. Subsequent daily backups will contain small amounts of data.

What happens if I need to restore a large amount of data and I do not wish to download over my ADSL connection?

In this case, we offer a service whereby we will write the data to DVD (or other media) and courier the data to you overnight (or make it available the same day if your company is located in the same city as one of our data centres. (This is a major advantage of using a South African based service provider!)

How can I be sure that IronTree will not lose my backed up data, for example what happens if the IronTree server is destroyed or stolen?

Our data platform is hosted with Integr8 IT at MTN Network Services, one of South Africa's largest hosting providers. Our infrastructure is replicated and mirrored so all data is stored in two locations. Thus the chances of losing your backup are virtually nonexistent!

How reliable is the backup technology?

Our backup technology has been in use internationally for years. Companies using the same technology as IronTree include Old Mutual, Macsteel, Discovery Health and Media24.

How can I determine the size of my first backup before the upload to the IronTree storage platform commences?

Once you've completed the installation and selected the folders and files that you wish to back up, merely select the 'size' button on the toolbar in the Attix 5 interface. The software will then calculate the size of the selected data and display the result on-screen.

Is the IronTree solution only designed to back up application data such as Pastel, Pilot Software, VIP Payroll, Quickbooks data, or can I select any data on my computer?

The IronTree solution can back up ANY DATA that is selected by you at any time. I.E. You can vary the data selection by adding or deleting files or folders AT ANY TIME.

Can I back up files that reside on a network drive and not on the local PC?

Because we utilise Microsoft's Volume Shadow Copy Service (or VSS) to manage open files, the data should reside on the machine housing the data. We are able to backup across a network, but VSS does not work over a network (a Microsoft limitation, not an IronTree one), therefore open files on another machine on the network MAY be skipped during the backup process, thereby compromising the integrity of the backup. To resolve this, we allow you to install a site license at a marginal cost, which will allow your second, third, fourth machines requiring backup to utilise their own Operating System's VSS functionality, thereby ensuring that machine's open files to be backed up.

Can the system notify me whenever a back up was not successful?

The IronTree application can be configured to automatically advise either whenever a back up was not successful (exception reporting) or on a daily basis whether the backup was successfully completed or not. Our recommendation is that it's more effective to configure the option for exception reporting (i.e. backups that were unsuccessful).