Feb, 2011 : Fasthosts Launches Online Backup Service

📅 February 14, 2011 - New online backup service designed to provide protection for valuable business data.

Fasthosts Internet Ltd, a web hosting provider, recently launched a brand new online backup service designed to provide protection for valuable business data. The company explains that priced from only GBP 10/month+VAT, the service can automatically backup up to 1TB of data, transferring it via SSL and storing it encrypted within a secure state-of-the-art UK data center. Backups upload only incremental changes to files meaning that bandwidth usage is kept to a minimum. The service is ideal for small and medium sized businesses that require secure, external protection of valuable data in a highly flexible and cost effective format. 'Cloud-based' services, such as Fasthosts Online Backup, enable businesses to access their data from any internet enabled computer, whilst always ensuring that data is stored and transferred with superior protection against any electronic or physical risks.

It says that its Online Backup service fulfils an important requirement for all businesses in protecting valuable business data and files from loss or corruption. A common deterrent for businesses looking to protect their data can be the required investment in hardware. The company's solution resolves this by using a scalable 'cloud-based' model to deliver fast and highly secure backup on demand, which works alongside their existing on-premise infrastructure. Furthermore, a highly intuitive user interface helps small business users to integrate data protection measures easily into their workflows.

The company further explains that storage capacity is selected according to requirements and can be increased dynamically from 10 Gigabytes to 1 Terabyte. The user is not limited to specific hardware for utilizing the service and can up- or downscale at any time and therefore only pays for their required usage. All data backups are uploaded over SSL to provide a secure transmission, and the data is stored encrypted within the secure data center. Its Online Backup uses software to analyze files marked for backup so only incremental changes are uploaded. By sending only changes to files, the amount of data transfer is significantly reduced, meaning lower ADSL bandwidth usage costs and time is saved.

It avers that scheduled automatic backups will upload changes and new file versions on a regular basis and so provide continuous protection. Better protection for business critical data means that business continuity can be enhanced. The system is designed to be highly efficient - users can restore individual files only, as well as retrieve historical versions of files. All data is stored within the company's state-of-the-art UK data centers, where all operations are protected against compromise by hardware, power or network failures or site access.

The company states that its service works with desktop computers, laptops, dedicated or virtual servers, and so compliments both on-premise and hosted solutions already in place. Full disk imaging options and the ability to restore from any internet-connected computer enables the user to regain their data swiftly and easily. The solution supports Windows operating systems, SQL and Exchange backups and has minimal system requirements. The dynamic nature of the solution means a small business or individual can benefit from the full set of system features whilst paying for a modest data quota, and gradually increase their capacity as and when it is needed.

It articulates that all Online Backup packages feature the same high level of quality, security and up to 100Mbps connectivity. The company's Online Backup pricing comprises 10GB for GBP 10/month+VAT, 25GB for GBP 15/month+VAT, 50GB for GBP 20/month+VAT, 100GB for GBP 30/month+VAT, 250GB for GBP 45/month+VAT, 500GB for GBP 70/month+VAT, 750GB for GBP 95/month+VAT, and 1TB for GBP 115/month+VAT. Customers are offered flexible contract options and discounts for annual payment.

Steve Holford, Marketing Director, Fasthosts Internet Ltd, said, "Our new online backup service can protect a business from the significant disruption and financial loss that can occur should the worse happen to their on-premise hardware. Fast transfer and automatic scheduling for backups now makes data protection effortless. Businesses of all sizes are now able to see that cloud-based services can lead them to become more dynamic and resilient."