There are times when a digital storage device fails. When this happens, and it is not the result of a breach of any kind, it is not a problem with sufficient backups on site. However, this is not always the case. Backing up files is not always a regularly scheduled activity for small businesses. With damaged hard drives or corrupt files, there is still a possible solution.
Data recovery services have the capabilities to ‘save’ most, if not all data on storage devices that have failed. But how exactly do you know one data recovery service from another? There are a lot of scammers out there claiming to provide a service they actually have no business being in. Here are some tips on what to look for when you are choosing a data recovery service.
Physical Lab Location
Can you drop your hard drive off at a storefront location or does the vendor you are looking at have pick-up service? Your first red flag should come from any that offer the ‘convenience’ of pick-up service. That’s because many of these vendors will ship your hard drive to a third party to do the actual data recovery. In other words, the vendor is not a service provider – they are just a marketing firm that sells your business to someone else. If the vendor you are in contact with says they have a certified on-site lab, ask to see it. If your request is turned down, go elsewhere.
Evaluation/Diagnostic Fees
A reputable data recovery lab will be upfront about fees. There are exceptions if you have hundreds or thousands of tapes requiring archiving, as an example. Regardless, the service vendor should still be able to give you a free estimate of the cost of recovery. There also should not be any ‘surprise’ hidden fees.
Reputation
You could do an extensive online search for information on the data recovery service provider you are considering. However, it is not difficult to manipulate reviews and testimonials. Your best bet is to search out companies and businesses that required data recovery and ask for recommendations.
Turnaround Times
Here’s where you can really eliminate some vendors from your list of potential providers. A reputable vendor should have several hard drive donor drives in stock. This indicates that they have the stock for replacement and with many donor drives available, turnaround time is reduced. Depending on the volume of data and extent of the recovery, the turnaround time should be anywhere between two and five days. Two weeks is unacceptable for most recoveries.
Price
We mentioned free estimates but the final cost may shock you. Data recovery is not a cheap process. If the quote you receive seems low or too good to be true, that should be a sign. Another one would be if the vendor requests an upfront non-refundable deposit to cover parts replacement.
Qualifications Documentation
Industry certifications are a good and a bad sign. While they don’t always reflect the actual competency level of the vendor doing the recovery work, they do tell you that the service you are using has at least a working knowledge of best practices and the processes required to meet industry standards. If certifications are not displayed, ask. Refusal to show them is a sign.
Specialty Work
The storage device you are seeking data recovery on may not be an HDD. You may be using SSD in some of your devices. Data recovery processes differ from HDD and SSD. Before handing your drive over to a vendor, be sure to confirm they have experience recovering data from SSD and all other types of devices.
Multiple Problems
The data recovery specialist you are trusting with your drives should be well versed in dealing with more than one problem. Corrupt files can have several different problems with them that require more than a catch-all solution. The ability to work with different issues and problem solve to satisfactory solutions makes for a professional data recovery specialist.
Good Customer Experience
There is a lot to be said about being a good customer service provider. Communication, friendliness, attitude and so much more can have an impact on whether or not customers will come back or provide positive referrals long after their bill has been paid. A vendor that operates their lab in a professional manner will also have good customer service habits. These are the vendors you will want to use for data recovery.
Conclusion
Data recovery is like any other service. You need to shop around to find the most qualified for the task and the most professional service provider. It is a service that is not without a cost but when you use one that saves your data, they are worth every penny you spent.