Now I'll highlight some more specific features that might not be apparent when choosing an online backup service at the outset but which could have a significant impact on the usefulness of the service.

These features will be part of the backup software and supported at the data centre end too. Account sharing is the first feature we'll discuss.

Can two or more users share the same backup account? This can be extremely useful if some staff are frequently mobile or occasionally work from home. An office server backup account could be used by other staff members giving excellent value.

Not all providers offer multiple account user services. Others charge extra beyond a certain number of users. Here are some questions to help you decide if account sharing might be a useful feature for you:-

* Do you want to backup a desktop PC and a laptop?
* Are there several staff who need to backup to one account?
* Is it better to open up separate accounts for multiple staff or use one account?
* Do you need two servers/laptops on one account for the purpose of disaster recovery?

First decide if you require account sharing and then check your intended provider can offer this feature.

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