Long-Term Archival of Records
Some records must be kept for years — financial documents, contracts and certain personal data have legal retention periods. Archival is different from everyday backup: the goal is cheap, durable, long-term storage rather than fast recovery.
This article explains how archival fits alongside your regular backups.
Archival vs Backup
They serve different purposes and use different storage.
- Backup: recent copies for quick recovery.
- Archive: long-term records kept for compliance or history.
- Storage: archives use the cheapest, slowest tiers because access is rare.
Keeping Archives Usable
Data formats and media age. We choose durable, open formats and periodically check archives are still readable, so records remain accessible years later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should records be archived?
It depends on the record type and legal requirements — we help you map out retention periods for each category.
Is slow access a problem for archives?
Rarely, because archived records are accessed infrequently and the cost savings are significant.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.