Solution providers have highlighted the drawbacks of using backup tapes in the small-business sector, citing their cost and the manual processes involved. Matthew Mosteller, owner of Vashon IT, shared a cautionary tale of a construction firm that lost crucial data due to erasing tapes, almost putting them out of business.
The shift towards storage as a service for small businesses is gaining momentum as companies become more comfortable with outsourcing data management. Doug Chandler from IDC noted that small businesses are already storing sensitive information with third parties, paving the way for acceptance of cloud-based solutions.
New players in the small-business backup arena, like eFolder and SOS Online Backup, are working closely with solution providers to offer secure and efficient online backup services. These companies are providing various partnership levels to cater to different business needs and revenue-sharing models.
Steve Harper from Network Management Group praised eFolder for its user-friendly technology and strong channel commitment. Vashon IT also partners with eFolder for its hosted data center, appreciating the low startup costs and attractive margins.
SOS Online Backup, based in Brisbane, is aiming to recruit 1,000 U.S. small-business solution providers in the next year. The company offers continuous live backup and competitive pricing plans to appeal to a wide range of customers.
Vembu Technologies from Chennai is another player entering the U.S. market with its backup services. The company offers software solutions for home and small-business backups, allowing partners to quickly set up data backups for their clients.
Overall, the trend towards cloud-based backup solutions is gaining traction in the small-business sector, offering cost-effective and secure options for data protection.