Disaster Recovery - Backup Schedule

What should I back up?

The key data you need to preserve - your patients' records and information you have entered into the PreViser RiskCalculator™ - are all stored in one place within the application's structure. This means you only need to pay attention to that part in your backup activities. The crucial data file is named prevdbe.mdb. It is located within a folder named _Database within the main application folder (PreViserRC).

When should I back up?

It is critical that you back up your data on a schedule corresponding to the level of work it would require to re-create that information in case of a major loss of data. In other words, if you are updating your data every day, but would be willing to re-entering the data lost in one day, you might want to do a daily backup. If you are updating your data extensively every hour and could not manage re-entering data you would lose in an entire day, you might want to perform hourly backups. Whatever interval of time that you are comfortable with having to re-enter lost data should guide how frequently you schedule a backup.

A reasonable schedule combines two parts: a regular local backup and an occasional off-system backup. We suggest:

  • Frequent (i.e., daily) backup to another location on the computer
  • Occasional (i.e. weekly, monthly or other regular interval) backup to a location off your computer (e.g., transfer the data file onto a floppy disk, CD-ROM, backup tape, or some similar archive).

How do I back up?

Essentially, you are just trying to preserve the integrity and content of your data. Physically, this entails simply making a copy of the data file (prevdbe.mdb) and storing it in another location. That way, if you experience a problem, you can retrieve the archived data and restore it. You are probably already performing

Steps to take:

For your frequent backup (i.e. daily):

1. Open the main application folder, named PreViserRC. It is typically installed at the following location:
C\Program Files\PreViserRC

2. Within the PreViserRC folder, open the _Database folder, which contains the file prevdbe.mdb. Copy that file (either click it once, right click and select Copy; or click it once, then click Edit on the toolbar and select Copy).

3. After copying the file, navigate to the backup location you have designated. (For example, you might have created a new folder named "PreViserBackup" located elsewhere on your computer's hard drive.) Paste the file into that opened folder (either right-click and select Paste, or typing Control+V keys together, or click Edit on the toolbar and select Paste.). This will overwrite the archived file that was there previously, if the file name is the same.

For your occasional backup (i.e. monthly):

1. Make a copy of your current data file (prevdbe.mdb) and store it in at least one location off of your computer (i.e. a backup tape or disk).

2. Store that backup somewhere protected (i.e. a fire-proof safe, or a completely different building).

How do I restore an archived data file?

Basically, you perform the above process in reverse. From the archive folder or disk, copy the archived data file and paste it back into the _Database folder within the application. If you have experienced a major loss or damage to the entire system, you may have to reinstall the PreViser RiskCalculator™ application, then paste in the archived data file.

Make sure that your files and folders do not then have "Read-Only" properties, or you will be unable to make changes to these files. You can check or change this by right-clicking on the folder (for example, the _Database folder that contains your data file), choosing Properties and ensuring that it is not Read-only.

Recommendations summary:
On a regular schedule, copy the data file to a backup location:

1. Local: Frequent (i.e. daily) backup on computer in another location outside the application folder.

2. Off-system: Occasional (i.e. monthly) backup to a location off of the computer.

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Risk Engine Services