In a recent meeting I was asked,
“How do you backup data created on your iPad?”
It’s a great question that isn’t asked often enough. Much like Web 2.0 collaboration apps, adoption of tablets, namely the iPad has been driven by the enduser first and the business second. Lately, conversations surrounding how to protect data on the iPad have centered on application security more so than insuring the recoverability of data created on the device. The reasons for this stem from the device’s architecture, which dictates that (most) applications have their own silo’d file space. This presents a road block for any backup agent since it would need access to this protected file space to backup a file or subset of files. Following suit, the most efficient means for extracting the target data would be over a private wireless network or over the Internet. Not impossible however the native backup functionality of iTunes backs up the base OS and your customized settings. Second, most applications designed for the iPad have native sync capabilities.
Enterprises should evaluate off-the-shelf applications for their ability to customize the sync location. Two evaluator’s questions should be:
- Where is the default sync location?
- Is the location configureable?
More times than not the sync location is either the cloud or the desktop where the full client resides. My needs are hardly enterprise class but I’ve settled on using Dropbox to make available and synchronize documents between my desktop (which I protect with Mozy) and my iPad. I also use Evernote for note taking and it syncs to the cloud, which give me access to my notes via the iPad app, the desktop client or through a browser. Regardless of location or device I’m able to access my documents and notes. All I need is an Internet connection.



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