Novastor improves online data backup model

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Nov 8, 2004

NovaStor Corp., a leading innovator in data backup solutions, is announcing the latest release of its online backup service platform giving service providers better return on investment (ROI), greater service differentiation and broader global appeal. NovaNet-Web version 6.1 incorporates real world feedback to make the business case for online backup more compelling in channel sales while addressing service provider "hot buttons": rapid deployment, file transfer optimization, security and easy ongoing management.

NovaStor CEO Peter Means says, "Online data storage brings true disaster recovery protection to small businesses for the first time and gives service providers the compelling differentiated service they're always looking for to help hang onto customers. We've had great success with NovaNet-Web from the beginning, and this new release incorporates what we've learned in the field into new technologies for even smoother performance and greater profitability."

Online backup marks the first time some providers will offer an ongoing services, and efficient administration is key to maintaining customer satisfaction and profitability. The NovaNet-Web 6.1 management platform now supports up to 30% more users with enhanced management of connections, memory, databases and offline administrative tools. New enhancements include:

--Server Performance Enhancement --A new process architecture permits a threefold increase in user load per server over previous versions of NovaNet-WEB.

--Server Extension Framework--This new server-side functionality allows 3rd parties and OEM partners to integrate external functionality including reporting, data mining, authentication, security and account extensions following defined specifications.

--XML/SOAP-based Account Interface System--Permits accounts to be added/queried using XML/SOAP without having to install a remote manager. This improved interface for billing and web-based registration process lets server logs to be easily exported to XML for processing by ISPs and VARs, and adds customizable database fields for capturing end-user data.

--FastBit II: More Data, Less Bandwidth --Release 6.1 includes the latest version of NovaStor's patented FastBit II technology reducing the size and duration of data transfers by up to 90% and allows backup for very large files sizes (greater than 6GB). FastBit II searches each file and transfers only the individual bytes that have changed since the previous backup, often reducing the data transferred to under 10% of the total file size and allowing service providers to achieve unprecedented return on investments in broadband bandwidth.

--Transport Layer Security (TLS) Support--By supporting the TLS protocol, privacy and security is enhanced between the backup client and server and reduces the possibility of "Man-in-the-Middle" (MITM) attacks.

--Account Creation System--This server-based feature allows service providers to create a simple customer sign-up form from a link on the web site. Customer evaluation accounts are automatically added to the backup server and their contact and billing information is captured and stored in any specified database.

--"Out of Band" Data Maintenance Processor--Enhanced server functionality allows routines such as rollups, defragmentation, data integrity scans and user account delete processing to be performed during idle periods instead of when users connect.

--Resynchronize File History--Allows a client to resynchronize its local file history with the backup server. Failed systems can be replaced with new systems and permits the backup client to start from where it left off rather than require the user to perform another full backup.

--"Connection COP" Enforcing Reliability--NovaNet-Web 6.1 introduces NovaStor's Connection COP (Complete Online Processing) technology for automatically protecting backups from interruption. Should the transfer process be disrupted, NovaNet-Web automatically resumes from the exact point where communication was lost without user intervention. Additionally, a new "Phone Home" capability allows the administrator to identify when a specific backup client has been successfully installed (date and time).

--International Appeal--In addition to English, NovaNet-Web now supports French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Dutch, to help VARs and other service provider resellers attract subscribers globally.

Says George Volakakis, president of IST Computers whose value-added backup service is based on NovaNet-Web, "Customer response to online data backup has been tremendous and these new features, FastBit II in particular, will help us roll the service out to more subscribers at a faster rate using our existing infrastructure."

A beta version of NovaNet-WEB 6.1 is available now for qualified accounts. General availability will be at the end of Q4, 2004. Pricing for NovaNet-WEB begins at $695 for a 5-user license. Additional licensing structures and reseller discounts are available.