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The following two sentences make sense; the first is where there's one system with one or more associated databases, the second is where there's multiple systems with one or more databases:

Backup the system's database(s).

Backup the systems' database(s).

What convention should be used when there may be multiple systems? e.g.

Backup the system((')s(')) database(s).
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    Try this link-:english.blogoverflow.com/2012/11/…
    – Argot
    Commented Jan 20, 2014 at 11:34
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    @Argot There's even a blogoverflow?
    – Kris
    Commented Jan 20, 2014 at 13:49
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    Ans: Backup the systems' databases. No confusion. By the way, never use databases(s) -- there's no such thing.
    – Kris
    Commented Jan 20, 2014 at 13:51
  • @Kris: It does cause confusion when there are multiple systems but only one database (I find it hard to envisage but it's part of the question).
    – Tim Lymington
    Commented Jan 20, 2014 at 14:29
  • @Kris; sorry, that was a typo on my part; corrected.
    – JohnLBevan
    Commented Jan 20, 2014 at 16:57

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Consider rewriting to eliminate the problem:

Backup the system database(s).

If this isn't possible, I would probably go with systems', plural. If you're worried about readers being excessively literal (which can happen with technical documentation, unfortunately), you can add clarifying language elsewhere, perhaps in a footnote.

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    Nice; if in doubt, dodge the issue.
    – JohnLBevan
    Commented Jan 20, 2014 at 17:04

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