Best Practices: Backing up data

Because theft, computer failure, electrical outages, and natural disasters can occur, it is vital to protect your store by maintaining back up copies of your data.

Paladin has set up your system so that Scheduled Tasks in Microsoft Windows™ can automatically generate a file on Terminal-1 and place a copy on Terminal-2 so that you have two copies of the same file. The back ups are scheduled to occur every night. Because these backups occur in Microsoft Windows, we recommend that you create back up files on a USB flash drive.

Note: Paladin implements automation to remove old backups greater than 90 days and are not the first or the last of the month backups. To protect your data from worst case scenarios, refer to: DataWise™ automatic off-site backups

How to back up files to a USB flash drive

With the DataWise ™ backup service, you only need to copy a backup every month. DataWise™ is an offsite automatic backup solution that instantly stores and keeps client databases on the Paladin cloud. All data changes are uploaded to the Paladin cloud every night. If a you experience the loss of data, Paladin can quickly restore the data to the previous night’s backup. Learn more:  DataWise™ automatic off-site backups protect your data from worst case scenarios.

If you do not have the DataWise ™ backup service, back up your files every night.

1. Verify that the backup occurred in Terminal 1.
2. Verify that the copy of the back up file exists in Terminal 2.
3. Insert the USB flash drive into your computer.
4. Open Paladin.
5. On the top ribbon, click the Backup module.
6. In the Backup module window, click Yes.  When the back up is completed, this window will close.
7. Do one of the following:
   • Click or press the Windows logo key + E, and then search for Paladin Backups.
   • On your desktop, go to Shortcut to Backups.
8. Copy the backup file with today’s date to the formatted USB flash drive.
9. Take the USB flash drive home with you. Note: Paladin recommends that you maintain three USB flash drives so you can rotate saved data:
   1. On day 1, back up to flash drive A.
   2. On day 2, back up to flash drive B.
   3. On day 3, back up to flash drive C.
   4. Repeat this sequence for subsequent back ups.

How to format a USB flash drive

Before you can use a USB flash drive, it must be formatted.

1. Insert the USB flash drive into your computer.
2. Press the Windows logo key + E, which will take you to Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click USB flash drive, and then select Format.
4. In the Volume Label box, enter the weekday, click Start, and then click OK or Yes.
5. When the formatting is completed, click OK.