StorageCraft: Cloud Backup for Microsoft Office 365

StorageCraft Technology Corp. delivers better control and management of cloud data for small and large organizations with the introduction of Cloud Backup for Microsoft Office 365.

Many SaaS users are finding out the hard way that using a cloud-based application is not the same as backing up a cloud-based application. The number one reason for needing to recover files is user error caused by overwriting or deleting critical data. SaaS applications typically provide a platform recovery which still leaves users in the lurch. StorageCraft Cloud Backup for Office 365 provides complete protection for Exchange, calendars and contacts, OneDrive, SharePoint and public shared folders.

Features and Benefits

It is suited for large-scale enterprise deployments with multiple office locations and remote workers as well as for smaller organizations typically managed by channel service providers. Data is protected by compression and encryption in tier 3+ certified datacenters. Data additions or changes are identified automatically and backed up without user intervention. And all users have access to their data. They can quickly recover files, folders or an entire user account using a self-service portal thereby eliminating wait time for IT support tickets.

Future StorageCraft cloud backup solutions in this series will be available for Google Apps, Salesforce and Box.com in early 2017.

The firm will protect organizations against ransomware attacks by providing complete data back to the customer. Since users have access to their data, that means they can roll back to a clean version and restore it malware-free.
 
“The common misperception that cloud solutions provide sufficient backup capability is preventing organizations from taking the proper safeguards to protect their data,” said Scott Barnes, CTO, StorageCraft. “Microsoft backups Office 365 against problems related to their own data centers, but they don’t provide safeguards against data loss from user or system errors.”

Additionally, there are no assurances that any available data will be restored to the Office application with its original attributes. That’s if the data is even available. Cloud application vendors frequently discard their data after thirty days. So, while the cloud provides protection in case of floods or other natural disasters, if critical data is deleted or overwritten, having your data in the cloud is meaningless from a recovery standpoint. That’s where StorageCraft cloud backup plays a central role.

“The entire StorageCraft suite of cloud backup solutions, including the pending products for Google Apps, Salesforce and Box.com, should be extremely relevant to users of SaaS applications,” said Mike Kunz, SVP of operations. “When viewed in combination with the recent acquisition of Gillware software and the distribution agreement with Exablox, our total solution offering now addresses BC needs for businesses of all sizes.”

It was customer control combined with ease of use that prompted Cliff Huxster, solutions architect, Integral Solutions Group in South Carolina, to comment: “Businesses migrating to cloud solutions like Office 365 and Google Apps do not realize how little control they have on whether their data is being backed up and the nightmare of getting it back if something is deleted or gets corrupted. Our customers want more control and management of their Cloud backups and restores. Plus, I really like the fact that the cloud backup service is integrated into the existing StorageCraft portal as a one-stop-shop.“

For channel partners, once an account is set up for protection, they can simply monitor accounts from notifications or the portal. Plus, the single sign-on management portal allows partners to monitor all customers without logging in and out of each account. You can add and remove users, add and remove services and backup only needed data. And, there is no need to actively engage with cloud backup unless a restore or export is needed.