would I be able to re-create my entire database from what is saved at AC (which does not include imported items) together with the separate imported items backup?
The answer to your question, Luis, is yes. Many of us do it that way.
There are many ways to go about addressing this issue, and lots of threads here about them. Ideally your backup is automated. One choice is automated online backup. Restoration may take a little time, as boondoc says, though that depends on your download speed. Ours is much faster.
Another choice is an external hard drive in the office which is used for a nightly backup of imported items (and even an image of your entire drive)...
Luis,
To summarize the detailed and skilled opinions above, to be able to come back up in the event of a disaster, you will need three things along with your DIY (or skilled help):
<1> AC backups - at least nightly, and stored off your machine
<2> Imported Items [or FAP] separate backup, stored off the machine
<3> Image of the entire machine, from which you can restore the 'server' onto the same or different hardware.
Besides off-site automated backup, I would recommend that you invest in an inexpensive RAID NAS, and set it up somewhere in your office out of the way, and off the floor. Preferably NOT with other computers. You can backup all of the three above across the network, the data never leaves the practice, it is one of the fastest ways to restore, and you can automate 2 [or all 3 depending on the tools you choose] of these so it is not about anyone remembering.
