In partnership with IBM, Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems Inc., released yesterday to the channel its Linksys by Cisco Continuous Data Protection for Files (LBACDP) software solution to address the file data back up needs of small businesses and consumers.
The software solution works as a compliment to the storage capabilities on a PC and provides automatic data back-up and restore options for files, said Brad Sakai, product manager for connected office business organization for Linksys.
Linksys was able to integrate IBM’s Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files software with its own solution to create a software product that lets users choose to either automatically save their files instantaneously or at set intervals, as set up by them. Sakai said since LBACDP saves files automatically, data within a business is better protected against viruses, accidental deletion, file corruption and protection against power failure and natural disasters should they occur.
“With this IBM software, saving is continuous and it’s saved and backed up as soon as the user hits the save button,” Sakai said. “The software resides on the PC and it runs in the background and works transparently. All the user has to do is tell it what files to back up and where to back it up to. This way, users will never have to worry about what happened between their last back up and when their PC died,” he added.
For the channel, Sakai said the availability of LBACDP now means plenty of partner and market opportunities because he said it’s an area that Linksys hasn’t really been able to previously address up until now. What Linksys must do now, he adds, is focus on teaching the channel how to push LBACDP as a solution sell rather than a piece product sale and relay to end-users the importance of saving files. To help spread this message to the channel community, Sakai said Linksys has launched a series of Webinars that channel partners can take advantage of.
“A lot of customers aren’t backing their files up,” he adds. “There’s a need to educate people on the whole idea of backup. This product gives flexibility to the channel partner because they aren’t limited to just selling a piece of hardware, but rather, it becomes a solution sell for them. We look at (LBACDP) as a complimentary solution to our NAS (Network Attached Storage) because resellers can now sell NAS solutions plus the software as an integrated solution,” Sakai said.
The solution works with a drive, Sakai said. LBACDP can also work with a USB drive or through what another NAS provider has to offer, which gives both partners and end-users more choice when it comes to the sale and implementation of LBACDP. The solution is also sold on a per license seat cost and comes available in three configurations that can support businesses with a staff of three, 15 or 25 users.
Pricing for LBACDP starts at an estimated street price of $149.99 for a three-user package, $674.99 for a 15-user package and $999.99 for a 25-user package. The software is available now through Linksys by Cisco’s distribution, retail, online reseller and VAR channels.
