Backup Overview
	The Cause and Effect of Data Loss
	Where is My Data Stored ?
	Features Page
	Compatibility Page
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Pricing and Demonstration Movie

DATAGARD

Secure, consistent online data protection is a critical element of business stability and disaster recovery. 

Today’s business operators are challenged to administer their data protection processes amidst rapid growth and progressively more distributed networks.  The fact is, alarmingly, most small businesses neglect to perform backup altogether.

40% of companies that experience a disaster go out of business within 5 years! "   -   Gartner Group, September 2001

Encrypted backup over the internet

	Encrypted online backup over the internet
	Secure vault storage with redundancy
	Automatic and Offsite backup
	Easy to use scheduling
	Customise your backup sets
	Restore anytime, anywhere at the click of a button

With Datagard, businesses large and small are accessing enterprise-class data protection to safeguard their critical information.

Datagard offers a licensed, online service to fit into the existing infrastructure of any sized business.

A computer failure, fire, flood or theft can happen to you.  The Spheritec software enables automatic, electronic backup of business critical computer files via the web to a secure offsite location.  Datagard performs an automated scan of all your designated computers and data can be backed up and retrieved as often as the user requires.  No tapes or disks and no more concern for the security of your business data.

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What causes Data Loss?

	Mechanical problems
	Human Error
	Theft and Damage
	Virus Infections
	Acts of Nature

In a 2006 study by the Australian Institute of Criminology, findings showed that only 10% of respondent organisations reported they were managing computer security issues reasonably well.

In fact, of the respondents, 59% reported laptop theft as occurring within their organisation during the past 12 months, 50% reported virus or worm infection, 29% reported insider abuse of email and computer resources and 6% reported theft or breach of confidential information. 

These are all threats to data.

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All files stored by Datagard are firstly sent through an encrypted channel over the internet.  This encryption method prevents hackers, viruses and other external factors from corrupting your data in transit.  Your files are stored in a tier one data centre that offers five levels of security. 
These include the following measures:

	Firewall:  We use a stateful, routing firewall in a multi-homed environment. This firewall is designed to stop unwanted service requests either entering or leaving our managed server environment.
	UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
	Backup Generator
	APC Power Distribution Units
	Dual Power Grids (Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley).  The only building in Brisbane to have dual power feeds.
	VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Alarm)
	Swipe card with photo identity and password checks for access
	24x7 Security. Strictly limited access
	Climate Control
	Raised flooring with redundant air conditioning

These factors safeguard against the threats that can concern business with the security of their information, particularly when most rely on an on-site, manual process.

You can see that by entrusting your backup and recovery strategy with Datagard, you have access to a safe, secure and reliable system.  Spheritec has taken every measure to ensure your data will be there when you need it most.

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 Server Requirements

	Windows 2000/2003
	Pentium Class Processor
	512 MB RAM or greater
	10 MB Disk Space plus space required for storage
	TCP/IP Network or Remote Access Service

Client Requirements

	Windows 98se/Me/XP/NT 4.0/2000/2003
	Pentium Class Processor
	128 MB RAM or greater
	5 MB Disk Space plus space required for processing
	TCP/IP Network, Dial-Up Networking (if desired)
	Modem or other networking hardware

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Can I backup open and locked files?

A. In the case of many backup software programs, files and databases that are in use during the backup may not get backed up successfully because they are locked to prevent any other program from altering the data.  To solve this problem, Spheritec's Online Backup can be used with the optional Spheritec Open File Manager program to make sure that these open and locked files get backed up successfully.

 

Can I upgrade the amount of users using my original license?

Yes. You can increase the number of allowable users on your backup service by upgrading your Datagard license. Contact one of our representatives for pricing and to upgrade.

 

Can we remotely manage our Spheritec server administration?

Yes. With Datagard’s new Remote Manager you can manage all of your Datagard Backup Servers from any central location. As an extension to Datagard Backup Server Configuration Manager, you can remotely manage and communicate with more than one backup server to create centralized management from anywhere in the world. Configure user access, display server status, search for account, review server logs and more. To find out more information on Remote Manager, click here.

 

Can we try the software before we buy it?

Sure! You can download a 5 day trial of our online backup service, or you can send us an email at info@spheritec.com to discuss which of our packages are right for you.

 

Can you backup other platforms with my Spheritec Client software?

Datagard Client software will only run natively on Windows 98SE, Me, NT 4.0, 2000, 2003 (.NET) and XP. If you want to backup computers with other operating systems, it is possible. Here's how... Since Spheritec Client supports mapped network drives and the Network Neighborhood, it can backup data from any computer that is accessible via the network. A single Datagard Client can backup the local computer and any number of local or remote network computers using Datagard’s powerful user interface.

 

Do you have a chart for Bandwidth requirements?

It's very difficult to analyse those requirements because of all the variables added by FastBIT. However, the basic formula is pretty simple: Take the expected size, in MB's, of the data you might see in a day, divide it by the amount of seconds in the day and divide that number by 8 to obtain MB/Sec Bandwidth. This will result in the required bandwidth (MB/Sec) needed to sustain 100% load throughout the day. Example: Let's say we have 500 users sending us an average of 600MB per month (this is about what we see at the Spheritec Online Centre), then the formula follows: 600MB * 500Users = 300000MB (300GB) / 30days (per month) = 10000MB Per Day (10GB) / 86400seconds (1 day) = 115.74Kb/sec * 8 (to convert to MB/Sec) = .93MB/Sec or about 61% of a full T1. Of course, this assumes that you have full saturation throughout the day, which isn't going to happen.  It typically gets a bit peaky around noon and around midnight, so to accommodate the mean, you should probably have a 30% overhead, which in the above case, would translate to just about a full T1 (1.5MB/Sec).

 

Can I use online backup if I have a slow internet connection?

Depending on the speed of your connection and the size of your backup, your initial backup over the Internet may take several hours.  Many people with large backup sizes and slower Internet connections will often run their first backup over the weekend.  Once the first backup is completed, each subsequent backup is usually a small amount of data that can be backed up in just minutes over a slower dialup connection. Our software can also resume a cancelled backup, so you can start the backup during your slow times and cancel it during your busy times. The next time you start the backup, it will pick up from where it was cancelled until the entire backup is complete.

 

  

How do I cancel my online backup service?

We never like to see anyone cancel their online service, but in the event you must cancel your service, please notify us in writing, received by us not less than seven days before your regular billing date in which case we will not issue any invoice for any period after the end of your then current billing cycle. You may also call us on 1300 130 110 to speak with someone regarding the cancellation of your online backup service.

 

How do I upgrade licensing for an increased number of online backup service users?

Since the Datagard Server manages all the licensing, any changes in licensing must be done on the system running the Spheritec software, in the Backup Server Configuration Manager.

 

How do you delete files from the Backup server?

In order to control how much data is stored on the online backup server, your online backup software allows you to view all of the data stored on the server and selectively remove files from the server. To view the data stored under your account, run your online backup software and click on the folder tab labeled "Restore". In the left windowpane, Right-Click on the Desktop icon and select "Get Volume List from Server". This will show you each computer that has been backed up to your account. Now you can navigate the folders to see what data is stored on the server. To delete files, click on the button with the Red "X" to enable the Delete Files mode. Mark any files you wish to delete by clicking your mouse in the empty box next to the file(s) you wish to delete. Click the "Delete Files Now" to issue the command to delete the selected files from the server. WARNING: Once a file is deleted from the server, it can no longer be restored.

 

How does the licensing work?

The client and server software are NOT sold separately. Since a Spheritec Client must communicate with a Spheritec Server, all of the licensing is controlled on the server. Licensing is managed on a "per computer" basis. This means a 10-user Spheritec license will allow 10 computers to backup to the Spheritec Server. These 10 licenses can be used in any combination, such as 10 users, each backing up only their local system or 2 users backing up 5 computers each, etc.

 

If I change my secret key, can I still restore old data?

When you change the secret key, the previous secret key (and all keys before it if any) is encrypted together using the latest secret key. This way, you need only remember the latest key and do not have to be troubled with remembering, potentially, many keys from past changes. See this flowchart for more on the logic behind the secret key.

 

Should you also have a local backup?

It's up to you. We encourage people to do both local and remote backup for absolute protection. Users that want an added level of protection will perform local backups in addition to their online backup. Local backups can allow you to backup ALL of your files, while the online backup is a great way to automatically store your critical files off-site. When it comes to your important data, you can never be too safe. Since everyone has different needs, we sell a wide variety of backup software and services to help you find the one that best fits your needs. Visit www.spheritec.com to view all of our great backup and data protection products.

 

What if there is trouble connecting to the server or performing a backup?

Contact your Service Provider’s support department.  If you are utilizing Datagard Online Backup Service, call our technical support group for assistance during normal business hours.  You can also view the technical support section of our web site for some helpful information.

 

What files should you select?

Since your entire hard drive is likely to be much larger than the amount of storage you have purchased on the backup server, you should be selective in the files that you choose for backup. In general, you can avoid backing up any programs that you can reinstall from a purchased CD, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.). Why pay for storage for "stuff" you can easily re-install? Try to focus your selection on things like your "My Documents", "My Pictures" or "My Music" folders and data files of your important programs like accounting, income tax, contact management, etc. Your online backup software comes with predefined filters, which allow you to automatically select categories of files without knowing where all the files are located.  Check the online help for Filters to learn how they can be used.

 

What happens if I exceed my quota?

In most cases, your account will not allow you to exceed your paid storage quota on the backup server. You will be notified when you approach and reach your limit with the option to upgrade.

 

What is an online backup service?

An Online Backup Service is an Internet-based service that allows computer users to routinely backup and recover their important data using a secure and trusted server on the Internet.   If you use your computer to create and save valuable data for business or personal reasons, you should make some type of backup of your important data to prevent a total loss in the event of any kind of system failure or human error. Simple data backup can be done by saving your data to multiple locations, copying the data from its original location to removable media, another hard drive, or another computers hard drive on the network.   To make this task easier, specialised programs known as Backup Software exist to aid users in regularly making a backup copy of their data.  Since some users are not interested in managing the tasks necessary for maintaining their own backups, a new breed of backup software was created, known as Online Backup Software.  Online Backup software is designed to routinely copy your important files to a private, secure location on the Internet by securely transmitting your data over your existing Internet connection.   If you have a working Internet connection on your computer, you can use Datagard's Online Backup Service to keep your important files safe from disaster on a daily basis, or you can find one of our many certified partners around the world.

 

What is FastBIT backup?

The FastBIT patching process is the core technology behind our speedy backup service. The patching process involves the comparison of two different versions of the same file and extracting the differences between the files. When the differences are extracted from the two files, they are saved into a new file and compressed into what is known as a Patch. The patch file is often 85% to 99.9% smaller than the file which the patch was extracted from originally. In order to perform a FastBIT backup, the software has to backup the files 3 times: the first backup is a full, the next backup will perform an incremental, and the third performs the first FastBIT backup.

 

What is the personal recovery CD?

The Personal Recovery CD is a service that offers copies of all your data from our servers onto CD(s). This allows you to restore the archive of your data from a CD without requiring an Internet connection. This is great for keeping long-term archives of your data or restoring large amounts of data without connecting over a slow Internet connection.

 

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Pricing and Demonstration

Sign up today and Spheritec offer the first 5 days of service at no cost!

Plans	Monthly Charges
2GB	$19
5GB	$40
10GB	$70
20GB	$125
50GB	$210
100GB	$280
Set up fee (one-off)	$99
Additional user	$9
60 day restoration	$5
90 day restoration	$10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*all prices exclude g.s.t. and are in Australian dollars. 

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Click the Image below to preview a Datagard product demonstration. An on-line purchase tab is also incuded. You can always click here to contacts our technical engineers.