Tax 2010

Backing up the Tax 2010 database

To backup the whole database:

1. Ensure all Keytime products are closed on your computer (or all computers if you run a networked installation).
2. Go to Windows Start menu > All Programs > Keytime > Tax 2010 > Utils > Backup
3. Click OK if you are sure that no-one is currently in the Tax 2010 program
4. Click Backup
5. Tick All Tax 2010 Returns
6. If you have added attachments to tax returns, tick the appropriate options
7. Click Backup
8. You will then be asked where to save the file:
    - browse to your preferred backup location
    - enter another filename, if desired
    - click Save

Why should I take backups?

It is vital to have regular backups of your data, both to protect against the data loss that can result from such circumstances as a computer hard-drive failure, fire or theft, but also to protect against human error, where someone may mistakenly alter or delete some information.

 

How often should I backup?

A good yardstick for the frequency of your backups is "how much work can I afford to redo in a worst case scenario?"  You should backup at least this often. You may also wish to take additional backups when you have completed certain important tasks, such as ending a period in payroll or successfully filing a tax return to HMRC. There may be other times when you are advised to take a backup, such as immediately prior to running a Keytime software installation or update.

 

Where should I store my backups?

Ideally, backups should be kept off-site in a secure location and stored on a reliable hardware device. This minimises the risk of your backup being damaged at the same time as your live data. For example, if there is a fire or if the computer is stolen with the backup device attached.

But remember, sometimes it isn't always appropriate to keep all the backups off site. You may need to access them fairly quickly to restore the data. So keeping a separate onsite and offsite backup could be the best solution.  You may want to create a folder calledKeytime Backups on your local machine to store the onsite backups.

 

How long should I keep my backups?

Once again, there isn't a set answer for this. Unfortunately it will be dictated by the size of your backup storage system, the amount of data you need to backup and the frequency with which you are taking backups. The longer you can keep backups, the better. Some problems, particularly human errors, do not materialise for months or maybe years. If you keep your old backups, it gives you more options, should such a situation arise.

An example way of keeping old backups would be to backup every night and keep those backups safe for at least a week.
At the end of the week, permanently archive one of the backups and store it safely.

This means you will always have a backup from the past 5 working days, along with a reference point of every previous week.