IronTree is fully automated

Once installed, the IronTree application runs as a service on your PC and launches automatically at a daily scheduled time without any user intervention. If your computer is powered on and has internet connectivity, the scheduled data backup will be processed. Additionally, daily email notifications indicating backup results give visibility to the end-user, so immediate action can be taken should a backup fail for whatever reason.

100% Secure

Data is encrypted (scrambled) using 3-times bank-strength encryption and cannot be read without your account details, password, and encryption key. This encryption process takes place on your side BEFORE the data is sent along a secure communications tunnel to us. It therefore leaves in an encrypted state and is stored on our side as such. Most other backup routines store the relevant data in its native format (very insecure). In addition, the IronTree storage platform is located in a secure data centre (Vodacom Business Data Centre in Midrand, Gauteng), equipped with 24×7 physical security, generators, UPS’s, fire detection systems and cooling. The data backups are mirrored on three separate file servers in two different locations.

Reduced bandwidth impact

The IronTree solution uploads incremental changes at a Bit or Binary (0’s and 1’s) level, as a result, daily incremental backup sets are reduced and have a completely insignificant impact on your bandwidth. If your IT manager or support person advises that online backup solutions are “bandwidth hungry”, please ask him/her to call us so that we can explain the highly efficient and cost effective process that our solution uses.

Initial, larger backups are written to appropriate media locally, copied to DVD or external hard drive in an encrypted state, and sent via courier to the data centre. The encrypted data is loaded onto the servers, and the next backup from the client automatically imports the initial backup set and then sends only the data that has changed since the initial backup. This is called a “snapshot”. Should you require additional substantial amounts of data to be added to your IronTree account later, the snapshot method may again be deployed.

Data is recoverable to-the-day within 60 days

IronTree is best used for data that changes on a daily basis,our storage platform stores 60 days’ worth of daily backups. This means that you can retrieve data from any backup “to-the-day” during a 60-day period, (most financial professionals are aware of anomalies within days), an additional 90-day consolidation will retain data for a 90th day AFTER it has been de-selected on the client’s side. This is a “last-known good backup” of all files selected on the client side, as long as it is included for backup, we’ll keep it. The logic here is, if you don’t want it backed-up and you have de-selected it for backup, then we don’t need to keep it either, and it is flushed after three months.

REMEMBER, we can only give you back what you have given us, so data selections are critical to the process. We encourage end-users to conduct a data classification exercise beforehand, and this usually evolves during the trial period.

Your data is theft and fireproof

It is a known fact that the safest and most compliant data backup routine is one which stores vital data off-site. Off-site backups that comprise USB drives, local magnetic tapes or DVD’s taken home by company personnel are not secure or compliant within standard Good Corporate Governance Policy.

Cost-effective

The IronTree solution is incredibly affordable. There are no additional charges for bandwidth or data retrieval by the customer. In addition, you can restore data yourself over the Internet. IronTree will only bill an additional fee if large restore volumes dictate a call-out, in which case standard call-out rates apply. Urgent restores involving shipping of drives or DVD’s to areas outside of Johannesburg carry standard courier costs and are for the customer’s account.

Easy to install

Installation is a wizard driven process, or IronTree support consultants may use our secure remote support tool to assist with installation, with your permission, whilst you watch and are in telephonic contact with the attending technician. Alternatively, we have a network of resellers nationally who will assist free of charge, unless the customer’s IT environment is complicated and troublesome, in which case standard call-out rates apply.

Your data is accessible anytime, anywhere

Once uploaded to the IronTree platform, data can be retrieved at any time of day, all days of the year from anywhere in the world using a WebAccess product (as long as you have not forgotten your account details, password and encryption key)

Accessible, local support

IronTree is a South African company, your data is stored on our own storage platform, located in a South African-based data centre, by a South African company.

Approved and recommended by major companies, locally and internationally

IronTree has partnered with several software vendors including Sage, Pilot Point-of-Sale Software, and many others.