What is the difference between sync and backup?
While sync ensures the up-to-dateness and availability of data across multiple devices, backup aims to create a recoverable copy of the data to protect against data loss. Synchronization helps with daily work and productivity, while backup represents a safety measure for contingencies. The backup is always a process that copies the data only in one direction (unidirectional), while the synchronization can be done in one direction or in both directions (bidirectional), depending on the specific use case.
In Syncovery, a job always consists of two sides (left and right). A folder is specified for each side: for example, a folder on the hard drive, on the network, or on a cloud server. The copy directions are specified as “left to right” or “right to left” or both.
What is a backup?
A backup is a process in which a safety copy of data is made, by copying the folders from one data storage medium to another. The purpose of the backup is to prevent the possible loss of data. If data is lost on a storage medium – due to a technical defect or accidental deletion – it can be restored using the backup. The storage location for the data backup can be a local hard drive, a network storage (e.g. a server or NAS), or a folder on a cloud server. Numerous cloud providers are supported, and you can also access your own servers using standard Internet protocols such as FTP, SFTP and WebDAV.
What is data synchronization?
Data synchronization is an ongoing, automatic synchronization and alignment of data between multiple devices. The sync process ensures that all data points in the different systems are congruent. Due to remote work, internationalization and the hybrid use of PCs, tablets and smartphones, data synchronization is becoming increasingly important. For example, many of our corporate customers use Sharepoint, Box or other cloud services as the main storage location for company data. But they also want to have a local copy of the data, or there are both employees who work directly in the cloud folders and those who work with local folders. These customers use Syncovery to synchronize between the local server and the cloud.
Why do I need backup and sync software?
Sync and backup programs play a crucial role in data management – both for private users and for companies. The specific requirements that private or business users place on the software can differ significantly. For many customers, workflow or corporate processes require synchronizing data. You can keep data on different computers and servers in sync, or exchange data between departments or different companies, such as customers and suppliers.
And of course, every user of computer systems must ensure that the data is secured in the event of a failure. In the simplest case, you can use Syncovery to mirror the files to a backup storage device. The task can be set up in such a way that the backups cannot be manipulated by crypto Trojans, should you ever be the victim of such an attack. Our sync and backup solution Syncovery is suitable for both private and professional use.
Sync and backup for private users
With the help of data backup programs, private users can ensure that their most important souvenir photos, documents and other files are protected from loss. By synchronizing data, users can access it from multiple devices.
The main use cases for private users of sync and backup software are:
- Data backup: Protection of personal data such as photos, documents and other files from loss due to hardware failure, theft or malware
- Data synchronization: allows access to your files on different devices, which is particularly useful for people who use multiple devices such as a PC and a laptop, or PCs in different offices.
- Data Sharing: makes it easy to share files with family and friends without having to email large files. Syncovery can upload to shared folders from cloud providers such as Google Drive or DropBox without having to install the original app from these providers.
- Versioning: maintains older versions of files, which can be useful for restoring accidentally deleted content or undoing changes.
Sync and backup for companies
Whether to protect important customer and business data or to optimize collaboration across different locations and time zones, sync and backup tools – like Syncovery – offer companies security, efficiency and scalability in data management.
The main areas of application for business users of sync and backup software are:
- Data security and compliance: ensures that business-critical data is stored securely and managed in accordance with legal requirements
- Disaster recovery: enables rapid recovery of business data in the event of a physical or technical incident, which is essential to ensure business continuity
- Collaboration: promotes teamwork by synchronizing work files in real-time, improving productivity and efficiency
- Central Management: allows IT departments to centrally manage, monitor and control backup and synchronization processes
Syncovery: Synchronization software for private and business users
Which functions does Syncovery offer?
Syncovery is available in Standard, Professional and Premium Editions, where the range of functions differs. Key features common to all Syncovery Editions include:
- Extremely fast folder scanning
- SmartTracking
- Detection of moved and deleted files
- Scheduler for automatic execution of sync jobs
- Versioning
These are the Professional Edition features:
- Block Level Copying
- Cloud support
- Real-time Synchronization
- Compression and Encryption
The Premium Edition is suitable for the following applications:
- Server migration including NTFS permissions
- Synchronization between different locations
- Prioritized support
Various Sync & Backup Modes
Depending on how much you want to get into the process and details of data backup and synchronization, Syncovery offers different modes for running a profile.
- The attended mode with detailed progress display shows a sync preview before synchronization. It is used for manual, supervised synchronization and for testing newly created profiles.
- In unattended mode the tool works independently with a detailed progress display – according to the settings made.
- Syncovery can run a job in the background, freeing the user interface for other tasks. The progress is displayed in the profile overview.
- Syncovery can run multiple jobs at the same time in the background and a sync preview can be created for each profile.
Sync & Backup Simplified With Syncovery
No matter whether for Windows®, macOS or Linux: Syncovery is the sync, backup and copy software that entrepreneurs and private users trust worldwide. The powerful tool offers multi-platform and cloud support and – thanks to individual profiles – can run multiple jobs at the same time. With Syncovery, you can handle complex data management tasks and carry out backup and sync processes smoothly.