Question : Problem: Compressing backup files a smart idea?

My backup server is out of space and can no longer perform backups.  Tried to compress the files but each attempt was not successful.  It would just quit after 30 mins.  I believe it is because the backup drive is completely full.  

So my question is; does compressing the backup files effect any server functions such exchange/mail and synchronizing works by each workstation.  

and is there any way to compress the drive now that i am not able to when (right click on drive, properties, and disk clean up

Answer : Problem: Compressing backup files a smart idea?

If you are that short on space I would advise purchasing an external USB drive straight away and either backing up to that or moving some of the existing data on the drive to that. Or expanding your NAS storage space.

Compressing the drive or fiddling around is only going to save you such a small percentage that it will quickly be lost.

What sort of backup sizes are we talking about here? 500Gb USB drives are only about £50