Because damaged MYOB BusinessBasics company files often cannot be repaired, it is vitally important that you keep a current backup of your company files at all times. These backup copies of your BusinessBasics company file are your only defense if a power failure, hard disk failure or other problem renders the company file unusable. Your only alternative is to create a new company file and reenter all the information that was contained in the old company file -- a tedious, error-prone task under the best of circumstances. You should verify your file before backing up to ensure there is no damage to your data file. See Data Verification Utility for more information.
(Please read If an error occurs while you're using MYOB BusinessBasics to learn more about your options if you suspect that your company file has been damaged. That topic describes steps you may be able to take to repair minor problems; serious problems will require that you restore a backup, or start over from scratch if you haven't been making backups.)
Please read the following paragraphs to gain a better understanding of why backup copies of your company file are needed, and how BusinessBasics will help to remind you that they need to be made.
With MYOB BusinessBasics, we've provided three tools that can aid you in keeping your company file secure. They are:
Backing up is so critical to BusinessBasics that a series of warning messages will be displayed if you exit from BusinessBasics without making a backup.
If you made a backup less than two days ago, you'll see this friendly reminder. At two or more days, the reminder becomes much stronger. If you unmark the "Remind me to back up" option in the Preferences window, a message will warn you of the possible consequences that may occur if you don't back up your company file.
If we find something in MYOB BusinessBasics that can cause data damage, we will alert registered users as soon as possible. We will fix the problem, test it, and release an update free of charge.
If we find some environmental factor that can cause data damage, we will alert you as soon as possible and tell you how to avoid the problem.
If, for any reason, your company file becomes damaged, you must resort to your most recent backup (that is, the most recent copy that has been optimized using the MYOB BusinessBasics Data Optimization Assistant and that passes the tests run by the MYOB BusinessBasics Data Verification Utility).
Please remember, we at MYOB US are nearly as upset as you are when a company file fails, because there is very, very little we can do about it. Data backups are your only defense, and it's your responsibility to keep both current and archived backups.