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ACT DataVault Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started backing up my computer data? Top
Sign-up for a free 15-day trial so you can start using our service almost immediately. There's no cost or obligation on your part… and no credit card is required to get started.

Do I need to sign a contract? Top
No, and you can cancel the service we provide at any time.

How much does DataVault's computer backup service cost? Top
Billing is based on your actual storage use, plus any additional services you purchase. Please refer to our pricing page for information on services, volumes, and use.

How safe is the service, and my data? Top
Your backups are encrypted before they ever leave your computer, for complete security. With ACT DataVault, your data is protected by multiple layers of security - both physical and logical. No one outside of your company, not even ACT DataVault, can view your data.

How is my computer data transferred? Top
Before your data is sent, changes are extracted, compressed, and fully encrypted for security purposes. The encryption process ensures that no one but you has access to your data. Once your data is encrypted, it’s transferred electronically over the internet to one of our secure facilities.

Can I back up many computers? Top
Yes. There are two ways to do this.  Each computer to be backed up can have our client software installed, and be treated as a unique account.
If your computers are on a network, then only one computer needs to have the client software installed. Our client software can detect your network, and you can configure your backups to include any of the networked hard drives, under one account.

How long will my online backups take? Top
It can vary. ACT DataVault uses file compression and high-speed internet connections to ensure that your backups are completed as fast as possible. The length of each backup is affected by the total amount of data being backed-up, and the internet connection speed provided to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Where is my data stored? Top
Your data is transferred to our servers, which are housed in a secure location, protected by on-site security and restricted access. We have state-of-the-art servers and redundant storage to ensure security, reliability, accuracy, and availability of your data.

How often will/should my computer be backed up online? Top
As often as you need, or want. You determine and set the backup schedule that works best for your company or personal data.

Can I schedule backups to run whenever I want? Top
Yes, our software lets you set up and automate your own backup schedule.

How much data will I be allowed to back up? Top
As much as you need, or want. You’ll be charged based on your selected pricing plan and the actual amount of compressed data you backup and store. Refer to our pricing page for more information.

What happens if a file is open when the back up is running? Top
ACT DataVault incorporates a software technology that lets you backup files currently in use elsewhere. You’re able to use your server(s) or computer(s) without interruption, while backups are actively running.

What happens if I have a transmission failure during a backup? Top
If transmission gets interrupted during a backup, the ACT DataVault software client will automatically re-establish a connection to our server, and then continue the backup at the exact point where it was interrupted.

How hard is it to retrieve my data? Top
It’s not difficult at all. Using our ACT DataVault software client, you simply point-and-click to select the file(s) you want retrieved. You can retrieve one file or entire data backups… and you can choose among multiple backup generations.

Is there a charge for retrieval? Top
We don’t charge for retrievals, just online storage and any additional services you request.  You can retrieve as much data as you want, whenever you want, without charge.

What if I lose my encryption password? Top
No problem. While subscribing you will set a general password. You may also want to set up a secret encryption key, after you download the client software. It’s necessary to set the first password, but it’s not necessary to setup a secret encryption key although we recommend you do. We're able to resend you your general password, but not your encryption key. You’ll also be asked to enter a hint-question, in case you lose or forget your encryption key.

Do I need any special equipment or software to use ACT DataVault? Top
Not at all.  You’ll need a computer running a version of Microsoft Windows (95, 98, Me, XP, NT 4.0, 2000, or 2003), an Internet connection, and a small amount of available hard drive space for our client software. We provide the backup software you’ll use.

I already back up my files on tape, so why do I need ACT DataVault? Top
Tape systems are reasonably reliable, but require a high level of ongoing maintenance to guarantee any reliability and recovery. Many users and companies even store backup tapes onsite alongside the computer, so you're not protected in the event of theft, fire, or natural disaster.  ACT DataVault excels over traditional tape systems in many ways. The following problems are a thing of the past with ACT DataVault:

  • Expensive investment in hardware
  • Expensive investment in tapes
  • Volatile and unreliable media
  • Difficult to confirm your data was reliably backed up
  • Subject to expensive technology changes and refreshes
  • Require regular and expensive maintenance or SLA’s
  • Require expensive offsite transport and retrieval
  • Require some tapes to be on-site at all times (not secure)
  • Slow backup and recovery times (tapes must stream to locate files)

I have a large hard drive...  won't I need a lot of disk storage space? Top
Not necessarily. Users should backup only their data files, not program files like Microsoft Word. Our software also compresses your data before transmission and storage, which reduces back up sizes by an average of 6/1.

What is your cancellation policy? Top
We require thirty days notice of cancellation.  Any unused portion of a non-monthly subscription will be refunded.  Once confirmation of cancellation is received, your account will be suspended, but your data will be carried forward FOC for one month, giving you ample time to re-assess the cancellation of your subscription.  After one month all your data will be permanently deleted from our on-line servers and secondary backup facilities.

Are these considered full backups? Top
Yes and No. Traditional backups consist of Full, Differential, Incremental, and active backups. Our services utilize the latest in backup technology which allows you to optimize the speed and size of your backups using “binary-patching”.
With binary-patching your data isn’t evaluated as individual files, but as a continuous stream of binary data. Binary-patching evaluates your data-stream, and extracts the sections or ‘patches’ of binary data that have changed since your last backup.
Example:
If 1 Kilobyte of data has changed in a 100KB file, then only the 1KB kilobyte change is extracted for a given backup… eliminating unnecessary data transfer overhead (unchanged data).

How automated is this service? Top
Very automated. Once you install our client software, create a backup set and a schedule, the system takes over from there. Manual intervention is not required... your system will wake up at the appointed time, scan for changes, extract and compress the changes, encrypt the data for security reasons, and then transmit the data to our secure servers.

Can I backup my network servers with this service? Top
Yes you can. ACT DataVault is designed to handle server backups… yet is easy enough for a home user to work with. Our client software works in the same way your regular backup software does, with one notable difference. Rather than streaming your data to tape drives or other storage media, it transfers your data to one of our secure offsite facilities over the internet. Our client software, along with a high speed internet connection lets you to back up extremely large volumes of data. 

How does this service compare to traditional tape backups? Top
The process is very similar to traditional tape backup procedures, with several key differences. Our service is completely automated, more secure, and moves your data offsite immediately and more quickly.  If you need to access or restore data, it’s just a few mouse clicks away… 24-7-365.  Multi-generational backups and archives are available wherever and whenever you need them. 

Will I have to start the back up every day? Top
Not at all. The backup automatically starts at your appointed time. Whether you’ve created a single backup, or several running at different times, once you determine and configure the schedules our software takes care of the rest.

How expensive is this service compared to tape backups? Top
ACT DataVault has very affordable pricing. With our service, there’s no hardware to invest in or refresh, no expensive tapes to worry about, and no staff to plan and monitor the process every day. Simply install our software on your existing system and you’re ready to go. Your monthly recurring expense is based solely on the storage space you use each month, and any additional services you decide to purchase. Check out our pricing page for rates and services that apply to you.

Can I stop using my tape system altogether? Top
It’s your choice. After having used our back up service for some period of time, and have restored files to test our system and claims, most businesses will eventually stop using tapes altogether. If you plan on using ACT DataVault to strengthen your existing disaster recovery or are considering our service as your primary backup procedure, your files will always be just a few mouse-clicks away 24-7-365.

I need to hold onto my data for at least 7 years, can you help me? Top
Yes we can. ACT DataVault provides daily backups and data archiving services.  We can provide you with month-end and/or year-end copies of your critical data. By archiving your data month/yearly to CD or DVD you can have a digital library, and retrieve critical data at any time, for any period, for as long as you want.

Does ACT DataVault back up the back-ups? Top
Absolutely. ACT DataVault guarantees that your data protection and reliability is our highest priority and top concern. We back up our own servers daily, and store your data in secure offsite secondary storage facilities. ACT DataVault is committed to protecting your digital assets.

Is this service proven? Top
Binary-patching is employed by many of the world’s biggest hardware and software vendors, including Microsoft and IBM. To reduce expenses and decrease the time to get updates to market, software manufacturers distribute changes as small files known as “patches” that contain the binary differences between an old and new version of their product. This is the method ACT DataVault chose to provide your service and deliver exceptional speed, security, reliability, and availability. Proven, safe, secure… ACT DataVault is your partner in data protection. 

What operating systems does ACT DataVault support? Top
ACT DataVault supports the Windows family of file systems  Our service currently supports these operating systems: 
- Windows 95/98/ME
- Windows 2000/XPWindows
- Windows NT 4.0
- Windows 2000 (Server and workstation)
- Windows 2003
 

  
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