Intuitive User Experience
Tip 6: Get a solution with an intuitive user experience.
For simple efficiency, you want a tool that simplifies and streamlines all backup-and-recovery tasks, from those performed routinely to those performed only rarely. A modern, intuitive user experience is a priority so it should always be possible to operate your backup system without referring to a manual. Additionally, substitutes or managers should be able to do it when primary admins are unavailable. Easy user interfaces make it simple to reduce costs for training, support and fixing mistakes.
An intuitive user experience is even more crucial during a disaster. By their nature, disaster recovery tools will be used in times of great stress. Operators must react quickly and accurately, as they cannot afford to make mistakes that compound the disaster. Unfortunately, error rates typically soar when operators are under stress. Therefore, tools should actively guide users through the steps they need to follow, clearly explaining what will happen when they do, and what is taking place at every step of the process.
Over the past decade, great strides have been made to create a more optimal user experience, as developers of consumer software have learned to streamline tasks, rely more on visuals and intuitive icons, and build interfaces that are more navigable. Not all enterprise backup/recovery systems reflect this consumer-driven innovation. Choose the tools that do, as they will make a huge difference in your confidence that your business can recover from a disaster.