It is understandable that some individuals are unfamiliar with the distinction between backup and replication. After all, the processes are related, and on a surface level, the words “replicate” and “backup” seem interchangeable enough, practically speaking. However, there are crucial differences that are worth understanding. This article will outline the basic differences between a data backup procedure and a data replication procedure.
Data Replication
Quality data replication software such as the Rapidi Replicator emphasizes secure transactions and fast, efficient data flow; Data replication involves the creation of data copies, synchronization, and distribution among a given business’s servers and data centers while allowing for continuity of operations. Data replication occurs through multiple databases and ensures that one can access necessary applications or information even in the case of an outage. Data replication can occur on a timed schedule, or in real-time, depending on the type—asynchronous or synchronous, respectively.
In a synchronous setup, a system is replicated entirely, with any consequent alterations between a primary system and its replica syncing in real-time. In the event of catastrophic system failure, there is likely to be little to no real loss of data or applications.
Asynchronous replication is the most bandwidth-efficient and expeditious replication process. If replication procedures are set up to operate asynchronously, data is replicated intermittently to the primary storage site, and there is a minor delay before the backup data is copied over.
Data Backups
Data backups are often time-consuming, and because they impact operation consistency, they are generally scheduled during a business’s off-hours. The concept of backup revolves around restoring data taken from a point in time, like a save-point in a video game. The data gathered from this “save-point” can be implemented in the wake of any event that results in the loss of data. While there is always the risk of losing data accumulated between backups, backup is quite suitable for the storage of large data sets in the long term. Data can also be backed up both on-premise and in the cloud, and data backup is still widely considered a vital long-term record-keeping solution in certain fields.
Why Choose Data Replication Technology?
The reasons to invest fully in data replication technology over a simple backup procedure are many. Primarily, the perks of data replication over mere information backup revolve around the constancy of replication as well as the application impact.
To operate, most backups require technology that is taxing to the server. The more frequent the backup, the more impact is detectable on a user-end level, leading to disruption of workflow and from there a decrease in overall productivity. In the case of data replication, there is no such disruption. Technologies such as Rapidi Replicator is an on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution built to synchronize bi-directional data exchange.
The infrequency of backup means that a system failure could result in data loss of several hours or even days, as many businesses only back up their systems once or twice in a 24-hour period. Moreover, depending on the medium in which the data is stored (disk, tape, etc), the process of actually retrieving necessary data can take hours to days; this is not the case with cutting-edge, cloud-based data replication technology.
Security is also a pressing matter; quality replication software protects the new data that is being created. Rapidi Replicator encrypts all data from end-to-end to standards that go above and beyond regulatory mandates. The software implements a technology that replicates back to the originating source; this ensures protection is constant before, during, and after a system failure.
On top of being secure, fast, and bandwidth-efficient, like all of Rapidi’s solutions, the Replicator is designed to be painless to implement and highly cost-effective. Rapidi Replicator allows your team access to up-to-date and flawless data, all with iron-clad security measures in place designed to protect sensitive information.
For businesses working with one of Microsoft’s many current or legacy ERPs, Rapidi’s cloud-hosted data replication technology works across an array of Microsoft Dynamics systems; no alterations to legacy systems are required. However, it can also be customized as necessary, for when out-of-the-box doesn’t fit quite right. Rapidi Replicator allows for centralized management, either as a web-based service, or as a hybrid service.
Rapidi Replicator is also fully scalable, so it can grow alongside your enterprise; whether it is replicating data between three or three hundred databases, it offers its users the functionality that allows their business to get ahead in an increasingly competitive market landscape. To check out more of what Rapidi has to offer your business, click here.
