Archiving Customer Projects/Data?

Larry Chapman · May 29th, 2008, 08:14 PM

Just wondering how other people handle archive of customer projects.

At this time I keep all customer data archived for "some amount of time", typically until the customer tells me that they "will never need it again". The amount of data is manageable . . . for now.

Given storage requirements, logistics, etc. I've been thinking about changing the model. Maybe even charging customers a monthly fee to keep their data (and as an option offering to transfer the data to them on a hard drive they purchase at no charge).

So . . . what do you do?

Jason Robinson · May 30th, 2008, 12:43 PM

my temporary solution has been to simply keep all the tapes, keep the video & audio & project related files on external HDs (if possible) or burn the data to DVD-Rs. I have however had one project that had 2 DVD-Rs get corrupted data so I will have to re-record the involved tapes.

I may be stepping up to Blu-Ray just for the 35GB storage. Though at the current price per disc & burner, I may just keep buying external HDs to store all the data.

Frank Simpson · May 30th, 2008, 12:50 PM

It depends on the individual client and his needs, but I frequently build the price of an external drive into the price. At the end of the project I give him the HD with all his captured footage, all the original tapes, and if I do not hold any rights to the edit, I'll even give them the FCP files as well.

For many of my clients this has proved to be a good idea. Even when they've told me that the project is completely done, and they'll never need it again, I've had them come back a year or two later and want a re-cut of their project.

May 29th, 2008, 08:14 PM	#1
Larry Chapman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 78	Archiving Customer Projects/Data? Just wondering how other people handle archive of customer projects. At this time I keep all customer data archived for "some amount of time", typically until the customer tells me that they "will never need it again". The amount of data is manageable . . . for now. Given storage requirements, logistics, etc. I've been thinking about changing the model. Maybe even charging customers a monthly fee to keep their data (and as an option offering to transfer the data to them on a hard drive they purchase at no charge). So . . . what do you do? __________________ -- Larry Chapman

May 30th, 2008, 12:43 PM	#2
Jason Robinson Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,197	my temporary solution has been to simply keep all the tapes, keep the video & audio & project related files on external HDs (if possible) or burn the data to DVD-Rs. I have however had one project that had 2 DVD-Rs get corrupted data so I will have to re-record the involved tapes. I may be stepping up to Blu-Ray just for the 35GB storage. Though at the current price per disc & burner, I may just keep buying external HDs to store all the data. __________________ www.IdahoDigitalProductions.com Wedding Movies, Live Event Coverage, Commercials, & More - BoiseITOnCall.com

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May 30th, 2008, 12:50 PM	#3
Frank Simpson Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 165	It depends on the individual client and his needs, but I frequently build the price of an external drive into the price. At the end of the project I give him the HD with all his captured footage, all the original tapes, and if I do not hold any rights to the edit, I'll even give them the FCP files as well. For many of my clients this has proved to be a good idea. Even when they've told me that the project is completely done, and they'll never need it again, I've had them come back a year or two later and want a re-cut of their project.