Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
With regards backing things up, what about the pdf finance reports we get monthly. Should they be copied to a USB drive as well?
Our area office has said to only print the first 2 pages, summary and signatures, and leave the rest in electronic form.
Am I right in thinking that if MLS has a clean install then they could be lost from the local system? I can't remember who told me this.
Our area office has said to only print the first 2 pages, summary and signatures, and leave the rest in electronic form.
Am I right in thinking that if MLS has a clean install then they could be lost from the local system? I can't remember who told me this.
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
One thing I don't understand about that scenario is how the HT/VT data ever gets restored at all, unless you do another restore from that local offsite backup file. In that case, wouldn't the restoring from that latest backup to get HT/VT data overwrite everything else anyway?lajackson wrote:We do a monthly backup to a flashdrive that goes offsite, usually right after the HT/VT is updated and especially right after the quarterly report is sent, when HT/VT is most current. As scgallafent said, everything else is current and available at Church headquarters.RossEvans wrote:the second USB carried offsite by a clerk, sneakernet style.
If the computer disappears or craters and a new installation is required, CUBS will send the most recent finances, and a Unit Data Refresh will download the latest CDOL and membership information.
And BTW (someone should correct me if I am wrong) I believe two other data elements not restorable from headquarters' master databases (as distinct from MLS backups uploaded or stored offsite) are any custom fields the local unit might have defined and entered, and any non-member spouse records that might be entered locally. IIRC, those elements are supposed to be included in the MLS backup files. I have no actual experience with either, but using custom MLS fields in the future is a possible option for us. (The pros and cons of that option are another topic entirely. Not trying to fork this thread. Just want to note that some units may use them.)
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
In this case the local backup would be restored first followed by a CUBS restoral.
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
My understanding from prior threads is that the PDF finance statements are included in the MLS backup files. That's a big reason those backup files have grown so large.simonawright wrote:With regards backing things up, what about the pdf finance reports we get monthly. Should they be copied to a USB drive as well?
Our area office has said to only print the first 2 pages, summary and signatures, and leave the rest in electronic form.
Am I right in thinking that if MLS has a clean install then they could be lost from the local system? I can't remember who told me this.
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
That sounds about right for the regular send/receive, but I'd expect that the monthly backup that CHQ does would be just like the backup done by the clerk.RossEvans wrote:And BTW (someone should correct me if I am wrong) I believe two other data elements not restorable from headquarters' master databases (as distinct from MLS backups uploaded or stored offsite) are any custom fields the local unit might have defined and entered, and any non-member spouse records that might be entered locally.
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
It is a regular backup without the finance statements. My ward's last backup is about 900 KB.russellhltn wrote:That sounds about right for the regular send/receive, but I'd expect that the monthly backup that CHQ does would be just like the backup done by the clerk.RossEvans wrote:And BTW (someone should correct me if I am wrong) I believe two other data elements not restorable from headquarters' master databases (as distinct from MLS backups uploaded or stored offsite) are any custom fields the local unit might have defined and entered, and any non-member spouse records that might be entered locally.
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
How hard is it to replace the finance statements?scgallafent wrote:It is a regular backup without the finance statements. My ward's last backup is about 900 KB.
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
I had to replace four months worth. I sent an MLS message requesting the statements and had them on the next Sunday. I have no idea if they would have been there earlier or not. It happened that the request was on one Sunday and the next send/receive was the next Sunday with the statements coming down then.russellhltn wrote:How hard is it to replace the finance statements?
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
I sure wish we could do a backup without the finance statements!scgallafent wrote:It is a regular backup without the finance statements. My ward's last backup is about 900 KB.russellhltn wrote:I'd expect that the monthly backup that CHQ does would be just like the backup done by the clerk.
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Re: Offsite Storage of MLS Backups
Maybe I should clarify: My ward's last backup on the server at headquarters is 900 KB. My backups when I'm at the church are the same as anyone else's.lajackson wrote:I sure wish we could do a backup without the finance statements!scgallafent wrote:It is a regular backup without the finance statements. My ward's last backup is about 900 KB.russellhltn wrote:I'd expect that the monthly backup that CHQ does would be just like the backup done by the clerk.