New Year, New IBM i Backup Strategy: Why Now is the Time to Ditch Physical Tape

As we step into this new year, businesses are re-evaluating their IT strategies to align with evolving demands. One critical area often overlooked is backup and recovery—specifically, how traditional tape solutions are falling short in the modern era. Virtual tape technology offers a compelling alternative, combining reliability, efficiency, and future-ready features. Here’s why switching to a virtual tape solution should top your IT priorities this year.

1. Eliminate the Hassle of Physical Tape Management

Traditional tape backups come with challenges: tapes degrade over time, require manual handling, and are prone to human error. Studies reveal that up to 50% of tape backups fail during restoration due to physical wear or errors. Virtual tape eliminates these issues by virtualizing the entire process, ensuring seamless and automated backups without the need for physical media.

2. Speed and Efficiency for the Modern Business

With data volumes growing exponentially—IDC predicts global data creation will reach 175 zettabytes by 2025—tape backups struggle to keep up. Virtual tape solutions are designed for speed, offering backup and recovery times that are up to 80% faster than traditional tape. Instant access to backups means your team spends less time managing data and more time driving innovation.

3. Cost Savings That Add Up

While the upfront investment in virtual tape technology might seem significant, the long-term savings are undeniable. Gartner reports that businesses can reduce backup costs by 30-50% by switching from physical tape to virtual tape, eliminating expenses tied to tape purchase, storage, transportation, and maintenance.

4. Enhanced Data Security and Compliance

Virtual tape solutions integrate seamlessly with encryption protocols, secure offsite replication, and automated compliance reporting. According to a study by IBM, organizations using virtualized backup systems experience 60% fewer data breaches compared to those relying on traditional tape. Whether you’re preparing for audits or protecting against ransomware, virtual tape ensures your backups meet the highest standards of security.

5. Be Ready for the Unexpected

Natural disasters, cyberattacks, or hardware failures can strike at any moment. According to FEMA, 40-60% of small businesses never reopen after a data disaster. Virtual tape offers a resilient backup strategy, enabling rapid recovery and minimizing disruptions. By switching now, you ensure your organization is prepared for any eventuality.

The Time to Act is Now

Modernizing your Power Systems backup and recovery strategy is no longer optional. As businesses aim for agility and resilience in 2025, virtual tape solutions provide the reliability and flexibility you need to stay ahead.

Make this the year you leave outdated technology behind and embrace a smarter, faster, and more secure way to protect your critical data.

Ready to start? Contact us to learn how virtual tape can transform your IBM i backup and recovery process and help you achieve your IT goals for the new year.

About Us:
LaserVault is powered by a team of sales and support experts with over 100 years of combined experience. We design, develop, and support innovative backup and storage solutions, working directly with customers and trusted resellers worldwide to deliver tailored solutions and exceptional support.

Our partnerships with leading technology providers, including IBM, Cohesity, Rubrik, ExaGrid, and Pure Storage, further enhance the value we offer. Known in the industry as LaserVault, we operate as Electronic Storage Corporation, a company that has been delivering cutting-edge software solutions for IBM Power Systems for over 35 years.

Visit us at www.laservault.com or email info@laservault.com to request a quote or schedule a complimentary, customized demonstration. Interested in becoming a LaserVault reseller? Email us to get started.