I was wondering what methods or software do you use to back up and protect client information? How much storage space do you tend to need per client?

Amount of storage space totally depends on the service provided.

For my real estate clients, we use a lot of project and transaction management programs so the majority of their data is stored in the cloud. Dropbox is a great program for file sharing in the cloud. However, I don't use this for file back-up. For file back-up, I back-up my entire computer to Carbonite. You can use Mozy too or an external hard drive for back-up. I use Google Apps for Business to handle my email so all my emails are stored in a cloud environment.

My contract also indicates that once a project is complete and invoiced, the client has responsibility to maintain the file. This works for the industry I support - real estate. May not work for clients in your industry.

Best wishes!

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Cathryn Jones
Assistants For Agents, LLC

SuzannaK,

I use several methods, the first is a cloud program that backs up my whole computer and I have an external hard drive too for added support. For client files I use a combination of things such as Docs in my Google Apps account and Amazon S3 for additional sharing and storage. All of my client websites are backed up with a program and stored on my S3 account. My email is on my Google apps account so I have my emails stored there. I also installed a sync program from Office to Docs so that any updates I make in Office will be reflected in Docs.

I too have a clause that once the project is complete they are responsible for storing the information. I usually encourage my clients to get a service such as Dropbox where I can send their files for safekeeping.

For one off projects I usually will create a zip file of all work completed and send to the client with a note that after xx amount of days their information will be removed from my computer.

Each client is different as far as the amount, some are more graphics based files while others may just be information that they shared via email.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thanks ladies. This is really helpful info incluing the clause that once the project is complete they are responsible for storing the information. This is another thing to ad to my contract. Thanks!