IDrive is making a renewed run at cloud backup with updates software and a new channel push. The tool got attention in the form of integration with mobile backup, a revamped Web site and some updates to the backend.
Aimed at SMBs and used by over 100,000 shops, the company claims its IBackup tool is actually enterprise class. Here is what’s new, the company said:
- “Complete graphical facelift.
- Updates to the IBackup software for Windows and Mac OS.
- One-touch backup/restore for iOS and Android devices.
- Built-in integration for MS-SQL, Exchange, SharePoint, and other advanced server backups.”
IBackup also provides disaster recovery through the new DR Plan. Here backups can be sent off to a secondary storage device. This can speed restores and offers another backup tier.
IDrive had its beginnings in the late 1990’s as a consulting company. As the Internet began to grow, the company switched gears to address cloud backup. Besides the IBackup tool, the company also has IDrive online backup, IDriveSync for file share and sync, and RemotePC allowing IT and users to access their devices from afar.
“This version of IBackup is heavily based on feedback received from our users and channel partners.” said Raghu Kulkarni, CEO of IDrive Inc., developer of IBackup. IBackup 10 is the easiest to implement version of the software we've ever made; individual users and partners alike can quickly secure any number of machines from disaster.”
Partner Push
The already existent channel program now includes a bulk program. Here resellers can buy storage in volume and resell basically how they see fit, including basing their own service upon it and also co-brand. “Bulk reseller accounts have been a long-requested feature, now we have the perfect product to give service providers an easy way to sell backup space to their clients,” said Shane Bingham, Business Development Coordinator, and Director of the IBackup Partner Program. “With the new reseller program, we still provide full support to the end user, so the reseller can focus on what's most important for their business: collecting revenue, and generating new business.”
Facebook Tool
The same week, IDrive announced Facebook Backup, which is just as it sounds. With it users can backup their Facebook videos and photos. “Facebook provides a way to download your pictures and videos, but not those that you are tagged in,” said IDrive’s Kulkarni. “If a friend tags a photo of you and later removes the photo, untags you, 'un-friends' you, or deletes their account, you can no longer access that photo. But, if you've backed it up with IDrive's Facebook Backup, you will always have it protected in your account.”
Gartner is one of many research houses tracking the cloud storage market, and did so in its recent Forecast: Public Cloud Services, Worldwide, 2011-2017, 1Q13 Update report. The research shows that “worldwide Cloud System Infrastructure Services (IaaS) Storage for end-user spending to grow at a 31 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), from an estimated $1.7 billion in 2013 to a forecast $4.9 billion in 2017.”
Edited by
Cassandra Tucker
