The first step should be to verify if the older backup tapes are still
useable.  Most mag tape is good for about 10 years before the "bits" and
"bytes" start to drift.  More importantly is the operating system and
application used to create, maintain and access the data on the tapes.
Are there copies of the system and application versions available to
access the backup tape data?  If not, the tapes are of no value.


Ginny Jones
(Virginia A. Jones, CRM)
Records Manager
Information Technology Division
Newport News Dept. of Public Utilities
Newport News, VA
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-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Laura Boldt
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 1:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Back up tapes

I work for an engineering firm in the US with multiple offices.  Our IS
department is looking at how long to keep back up tapes and what is the
best way to keep them.  Currently they are still retaining all back up
tapes from the beginning of the company 28 years ago.  I know this is a
records management issue but at least it is being addressed and the
network guy who is investigating this issue will listen to what I have
to say.  Unfortunately, it sounds like he is under the gun and needs to
come up with a solution in a couple of weeks.  At this point he is
thinking of storing them at Iron Mountain with their electronic
archives.

We do have a retention schedule but it needs a lot of work.  At this
time it only covers hard copy project files.  This will be addressed in
the near future.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Laura Boldt
Records Management Supervisor
David Evans and Associates
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Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance