Quick tip from the trenches: when you're setting up backups for VMs and apps, treat the OS image and the application data as separate beasts — I once restored an OS snapshot only to find the app version mismatch broke everything. Automate file-level backups for configs and user data, use application-aware agents for databases, and keep an offsite copy in a cheap public cloud bucket with lifecycle rules so it doesn't become a bill surprise. For migrations, spin a test VM in the target environment and run a full restore there before cutting over; the tiny time spent validating saves huge headaches during a real DR.
