Virtual TimeClock Knowledge Base

Overview of Backups

Performing data backups are an essential part of your regular business activities. Offsite storage of a data backup protects your business from computer crashes, theft, natural disaster, and hostile malware/viruses that can take over or corrupt your computer systems.

This article will highlight how you can protect your time clock data by regularly backing it up to a separate location.

Where to Backup
There are several options available to you for storing your Virtual TimeClock backup files, including:

  • Cloud Backup. Many cloud services like Dropbox, Apple iCloud, and Google Drive provide a limited amount of free data storage space. Virtual TimeClock backup files are very small so this is great solution for automatic, scheduled backups that are automatically stored offsite in the cloud. Make sure you are using a good password and two factor authentication for your cloud account to ensure your cloud backups are secure. Additionally, we recommend making sure database encryption is turned on within Virtual TimeClock.
  • USB Memory Stick. An inexpensive USB thumb drive provides a quick and easy way to back up your TimeClock data and take it with you offsite. You can insert the memory stick in the computer each morning for scheduled backups during the day, or insert it at the end of each day and quickly perform a manual backup.
  • External Hard Drive. Businesses often already have external hard drives for computer data backup. These drives provide another easy way to back up your TimeClock data and take it with you offsite. Just like a memory stick, you can attach an external drive each morning for scheduled backups during the day, or attach it at the end of each day and quickly perform a manual backup.
  • Network Server or Network Attached Storage. This ensures a copy of your time clock database is saved to a physically separate piece of hardware. The drawback is that all of your TimeClock data remains onsite. This means a natural disaster or virus might affect all of your computers and can also destroy your Virtual TimeClock backups. Another drawback is the potential for the backup destination to be offline or have permissions change. In this case, scheduled automatic backups will fail to run.

Note: Network drives and folders must be mounted for backups to function properly. If you experience issues selecting a network drive for backups, review this support article.

How to Backup
We do not host your data, so you are responsible for backing up your data. Continue reading to learn the two types of backups that can be performed.

Manual Backup
The Basic and Pro editions can be manually backed up from the In & Out Board. For the Network Edition manual backups must be performed at the computer with the Virtual TimeClock Server Manager. See our Manual Backups article for more information.

Automatic Backup Schedule
An automatic backup schedule can be set for the Pro and Network editions, so your data is regularly backed up. See our Automatic Backup Schedule article to learn how to set a backup schedule.

Verify Scheduled Backups 
It's important to periodically check that your scheduled backups are being completed as expected. Review the steps to check your backups in the Verifying Scheduled Backups article.

Common Misconceptions About Virtual TimeClock Backups
Over the years we have learned that there are a few common mistakes people make when it comes to backing up their time clock data. See our Common Backup Mistakes article to learn how you can avoid these mistakes.