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IT & Digital · Backup & DR

Backup & disaster recovery for Adelaide businesses

If your server died tomorrow morning, how long before your team could work again? We set up backup and disaster recovery that actually gets tested — local copies, cloud copies, and a plan your business can follow when something goes wrong. One local team, no finger-pointing, no surprises.

What is backup & disaster recovery?

Backup is keeping copies of your business data — files, email, databases — so nothing is lost if hardware fails, someone deletes something, or ransomware hits. Disaster recovery is the plan for getting your business running again quickly when the worst happens. Together they answer two questions: is our data safe, and how fast can we be back up? We set up both so they work together, not as an afterthought.

What we cover

Local backup

On-site copies on dedicated hardware so restores are fast when you need a file back in minutes, not hours.

Cloud backup

Off-site copies in Australian data centres, so a fire, flood or theft at the office doesn't take your data with it.

Microsoft 365 backup

Exchange, SharePoint and OneDrive aren't backed up by default — we add proper protection so deleted mail and files are recoverable.

Tested restores

We actually test that backups restore correctly on a schedule — not just assume the green tick means it worked.

Disaster recovery planning

A documented plan your team can follow: who does what, in what order, to get the business running again.

Monitoring & alerts

Backup jobs are monitored daily so failures are caught and fixed before they become a problem.

Who it's for

  • Businesses running a server, NAS or critical applications that can't afford to lose a day's work.
  • Offices on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace who assume their data is backed up (it isn't by default).
  • Anyone who's been burnt before — a failed drive, ransomware, or a backup that turned out to be empty.
  • Businesses that need to meet compliance or insurance requirements around data protection.

How it works

  1. We look at what you've got. Servers, cloud services, files and databases — what needs protecting and how quickly you'd need it back.
  2. A plan and a quote. The right mix of local and cloud backup, recovery targets that suit your business, and no overselling.
  3. Set up and configured. Backup jobs scheduled, encryption and retention set, cloud replication running — usually with zero downtime.
  4. Tested properly. We run test restores on a schedule to prove the backups actually work, and share the results with you.
  5. Monitored and looked after. Daily checks, alerts on failures, and a real person to call if you ever need to recover something.

Why WaTo for backup & disaster recovery

  • We test restores — not just check the backup log says it ran.
  • Australian cloud storage — your data stays onshore and under your control.
  • A real person answers — if you need a file back at 8 am, you're not waiting in a queue.
  • One local team for backup, IT, cloud and security — no passing you between vendors.
  • Adelaide owned since 2001, supporting businesses across SA and remotely Australia-wide.

Backup & disaster recovery questions

How often should we back up?

It depends on how much work you can afford to lose. Most businesses we look after back up at least daily, and many back up continuously throughout the day. We'll work out what makes sense for your situation.

Is Microsoft 365 already backed up?

Not properly. Microsoft keeps the service running, but if someone deletes an email or a file after the retention window, it's gone. We add third-party backup so your mail, files and SharePoint are recoverable.

What if we get hit by ransomware?

If your backups are set up properly and kept separate from your network, we can restore clean copies of your data without paying a ransom. That's exactly why we keep off-site copies and test restores regularly.

How long does a full restore take?

A single file or mailbox — minutes. A full server depends on size, but with local backup hardware on-site, most businesses are back up within a few hours rather than days.

Ready to get your backups sorted?

Tell us what you're running and we'll tell you honestly what needs protecting — and what doesn't. No scare tactics, just a plan that works.

No two businesses are the same — so nothing we do is off-the-shelf. Every solution is built around yours, and kept simple.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How do your plans and pricing work?

Whatever suits you — a fixed contract, a monthly retainer, prepaid blocks of hours, or simple hourly rates. You pick the model that fits your business, and we keep it transparent with no surprise bills.

How quickly do you respond?

Fast. You talk to a real person, not a call queue — and for urgent issues we're often on-site within the hour across Adelaide, with remote support Australia-wide.

Do you only do IT support?

No — IT & Digital, cyber security, websites & hosting (via Whosts.au), business solutions and currency equipment, all from one local team. One number to call.

What does it cost?

It depends on your size and the cover you need. We keep pricing simple and transparent, with no surprise bills — call us for a tailored quote.

Do you support businesses outside Adelaide?

Yes. We're Adelaide-based and provide remote support Australia-wide, with on-site visits across South Australia.

Will you work with our existing IT person?

Absolutely. We often co-manage — taking on monitoring, security and after-hours cover alongside your in-house team.

Why we're different

Not your typical IT company

We keep it simple, and fix things for the future — not just patch them today.

A typical IT company
WaTo Consulting
You wait in a call queue
A real person on the WaTo team answers
One rigid plan — take it or leave it
Contract, retainer, blocks or hourly — your choice
Patch it today, deal with it again later
Fix the root cause — and what it could cause next
Jargon and over-engineering
Kept simple and explained in plain English
IT only — you juggle other vendors
IT, cyber, web, business & currency under one roof
Hosting resold from someone else
Our own Australian hosting — Whosts.au
WaTo character — happy to help

Still not sure what you need?

Tell us what's slowing you down and we'll point you to the right fix. You're a partner, not a client.

Call (08) 7123 0805 Email info@wato.com.au
Why clients choose us

Trusted by Adelaide business since 2001

★★★★★

"No sales spiel, no waiting in line on the phone — and always an effective, quick result when needed."

SA Construct
★★★★★

"Our IT consultant since 2010. Always quick to respond, and we're very happy with our website and every system he's maintained."

Major Real Estate
★★★★★

"They took the hassle out of setting up our restaurant — website, point of sale, even HR advice. Professional and great value. Highly recommended."

RAF Group
★★★★★

"Outstanding service since 2013 — from website design to any IT issue, always prompt and informative. I've recommended WaTo to many of my own customers."

Trymoss Engineering
★★★★★

"Their ability to grasp and apply product-specific technical process has allowed us to meet all customer KPIs."

Cummins Allison
★★★★★

"Often on-site within the hour. Knowledgeable, dependable, and he can explain IT in plain layman's terms. An incredible asset to our business."

Major Pub / Hotel
★★★★★

"As a non-geek, I appreciate that Wato's always got my back and never makes me feel I'm imposing. Local and reliable — Wato's your man!"

Mike, Mike Roberts Music
★★★★★

"We sleep easy at night knowing our data is safe and secure. Quick to act whenever we have a problem."

CRS Accessories
★★★★★

"Streamlined our medical practice IT, reduced operating costs and simplified backups. 100% quality customer service to small business."

Lasers in Medicine, Adelaide
Cummins Allison CRS Accessories Emali Early Learning Centre Trymoss Engineering SA Construct Norwood Day Surgery Glenelg Psychology Flo Medical HAIMS Health Day Lawyers Munro Property Group Mike Roberts Music Olive Tree Food & Wine PLM Wines Kitchensmith Adelaide Appliance Gallery VIP Home Services Future You

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Our story

Built in Adelaide, since 2001

WaTo Consulting was founded by John Watson in Adelaide in 2001. Over two decades it's earned a name for tailored work across a wide range of industries — helping businesses of every size run more smoothly, work more efficiently and grow steadily, without blowing the budget or disrupting the day-to-day.

Emma Watson (née Dickenson) played a significant part in shaping what WaTo became. She brought real expertise and a clear vision for where it could go — expanding the business, bringing in new systems and fresh thinking, and raising the standard of how things are done. A great deal of what WaTo is, we owe to her.

Today it's all tailored, never off-the-shelf — IT & Digital, Business & Web Hosting, built around what each client actually needs. Over the years those areas have come together under one roof: our IT & Digital, Currency, Business and Web work (through Whosts.au) now all sit within WaTo Consulting — one team, one standard, looking after the lot.

When you work with us, you're not a client — you're a partner.