Backing up your Inform database is your responsibility, and an essential component when configuring your server. Detailed below are recommended files and backup services that will aid you in implementing your own backup process. Select a backup software that is right for you and have a regularly scheduled backup process in place.
Select your backup software
When selecting your backup software, we recommend a minimum of two unique backup solutions. The first should be a local backup, where the files are stored in an accessible location. You can use the built-in Windows backup utility or a third party commercial application such as Symantec, Acronis, or Veeam. This should make a backup to a separate physical disk (logical, removable, tape, NAS, SAN).
The second should be a remote backup, where the files are stored off-site. This can be via removable media or an online provider such as Carbonite.
The aforementioned services are some of the most commonly used solutions. Other backup solutions are available. DDI does not specifically recommend one solution/service over another.
To avoid interference with our built-in nightly processes, it is best to schedule full backups to run daily after midnight and follow the schedule outlined below.
Recommended backup schedule:
- Daily after 12am to avoid conflict with scheduled evening processes
- Full Backup: Weekly
- Incremental Backup: Daily
- 2-week Backup Retention (without overwriting)
Required files
The Inform database consists of the most critical data and as such it is required to be part of your backup schedule. Additional or external files, such as product images can optionally be stored outside of the database. In such configurations, these files should be backed up as well. The Inform database can be found on your application server in the following directory:
\IBM\ACCOUNTS\(DDI DATABASES)
Additional or external files, such as product images:
SHARES (IMAGES, ATTACHMENTS, SDS, etc)
If you are subscribed to our eCommerce2 module, customized website files should be backed up as well. These files are typically found on your application server, unless a dedicated web server is in use, and can be found in the following directory:
inetpub
Additional recommendations
While backing up the Inform database is of utmost concern, you should also consider having your entire servers' backup images (i.e. domain controllers, file/print servers, DNS, etc). In the event of a data disaster, restoring the server in its entirety will result in significantly less downtime than reconfiguring and restoring the Inform database.
If you have any questions, please contact DDI Customer Care.
DDI - Disaster Recovery Supplemental “Lifeboat” Program
To provide an extra layer of security to your system environment, DDI will be implementing a Disaster Recovery Supplemental Program (DRS). The disaster recovery supplement is not a replacement or a substitute for your current fully-functioning and verified backup system. It is a 'lifeboat' utility that serves as an emergency, last-resort source to restore a corrupted or encrypted Inform ERP database.
How it Works
The disaster recovery supplement uses the Inform phantom process to create a daily copy of your Inform ERP data and saves it offsite in a secure storage location with a 7-day retention cycle.
The intent of the 'lifeboat' recovery system is to help protect your business data in the event that ALL of your backup strategies have failed. In 2021, DDI System will add the disaster recovery supplemental program to your system environment. The at-cost fee of $50 per month, will be included in your ERP Enhancements and Support billing when the program is deployed and operating on your server.
System Requirements
The following system requirements need to be in place for successful deployment of the disaster recovery backup program. Backups may be interrupted if changes are made to system configuration including changes to Antivirus and Firewalls.
- Inform Phantom Monitor must be running
- Available Disk space on your server of 20% or 15G
- Operating system of 2008 R2 or newer
- Powershell 3 or higher
- Whitelisting of the ddisys.com domain
Even the most tightly secured systems have fallen victim to recent attacks. Although DDI System is not responsible for any data loss due to back up or system failure, the disaster recovery supplemental program will serve to restore your data with minimal downtime. If you would like to opt out of this program, please submit a case to DDI Customer Care.