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5.5 Protect your data from loss |
  
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5.5 Protect your data from loss |
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5.5.1 Your Latitude data file (usually Latidata.mdb) contains all your valuable business transactions and information. Like the other files on your computer, Latitude data files can be corrupted due to power failures, power spikes, viruses, users accidentally "pulling the plug" or system crashes caused by incorrect configuration, insufficient RAM, programs causing memory leaks, hardware faults or network problems. Consequently, YOU MUST regularly backup your Latitude data files
Steps you can take to help prevent data corruption or loss include:
5.5.2 Regularly (daily, if possible) backup your Latidata file.
Store at least one full recent backup offsite to cover you in the event of fire, flood or theft. We have had clients who had their server and all backup tapes stacked up next to it stolen.
Test backup several times a year by restoring it to your server. Again, we know of clients who have been regularly backing up their system discover that when they need to restore Latidata, it was not actually included in the backup.
For information on this topic, refer to the "Backup and Restore" Category Topic.
5.5.3 Regularly Repair and Compact your database.
For information on this topic, refer to the "Repair and Compact" Category Topic.
5.5.4 Maintain your network.
If you experience frequent corruptions in your data, check for possible dropped network connections.
Don't allow anyone to disconnect network cables or other network hardware while users are in Latitude
Wireless networks are not as robust as wired connections and should be tested before use with Latitude to ensure they are stable.
5.5.5 Train users to always shut down their computers correctly
Ensure they always shut down, switch off and restart their computers when they have a General Protection Fault
Ensure they never use Ctrl+Alt+Delete to shut down their computer if Latitude appears to hang. If Latitude does freeze, check that it is not just taking a long time to refresh a screen, preview a report or export data. Sometimes when data volume is high or the query is complex, it can take some time for the action to be completed. This can mislead users into thinking it has frozen.
5.5.6 Get more RAM
Ensure there is sufficient RAM to run all software they are likely to use at one time.
5.5.7 Upgrade to Latitude Business Edition
If you have a large number of users and encounter frequent data corruption problems, upgrade to Business Edition / Corporate Edition which is much less likely to suffer data corruption or loss.