OPENRSM's CloudBackup Revued

Product Review - Online Backup - OPENRSM CloudBackup

 

What is it:

OPENRSM CloudBackup is a service that lets you store files and backup data securely to a nearly unlimited remote backup storage vault. Unlike other services, CloudBackup lets you backup as little or as much data as you need with no restrictions. You pay a flat fee (which get's you a BIG datastore) and only pay extra for the actual storage you use in excess of that.  It works the same on Windows, MAC, and Linux systems as well.

You can access the CloudBackup drive as a mapped network drive, or use a browser (Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, etc.), over WebDav or via the local http server. Keeping a local cache for immedicacy of operations (and background completion) is a big feature of OPENRSM CloudBackup. The builtin backup utility works well and previous versions are kept if desired. This makes CloudBackup suitable for backup as well as temporary file storage or as an remote filesystem since it works with native tools such as robocopy, sync tools such as SyncToy, rsync, etc.  Block level incremental backup is supported through CloudBackup.

Cool Features

• Your selected data is continually monitored to ensure everything is backed up automatically
• Your data is encrypted No one else can access your data
• You only get charged for what you use
• OPENRSM Cloud Backup gives you access to your all of your data in Windows, Mac and Linux
• Stay on top of your backups with reporting
• Drag and drop, copy and delete Use it just like your existing hard drive
• When you subscribe to OPENRSM Cloud Backup, it is yours to use on all your computers

Who it helps:

Since it's so versitile, CloudBackup is more than online backup, it's also a shared data store for any mixture of Windows, MAC, and Linux systems. The interface is easy to use and can be setup as easily (more easily actually) than most other programs. So, OPENRSM delivered CloudBackup for novice to expert users who want safe, secure backup with the added feature of remote file access without being restrictive.  Or, like me... BOTH. For example you'll have the full context menu available on the mapped drive, and it works with regular copy applications and any file managers. You can set it and forget it and let the scheduler backup any changed files over your net connection.

 

Good Points:

Set it and forget it backups. Set up the automatic backup and you no longer have to worry about disk failures or data safety. Efficient bandwidth use. It uses it's cache as a buffer and only updates changed bytes.  So bandwidth use is limited after the first backup. Easy administration but powerful too. Options settings for limiting bandwidth, saving previous versions, and detailed logging. You can get dirty if you want but I hardly ever needed to access the manual. Works with your software and OS. The network drive is just like having your own unlimited size SAN. I use OpenOffice Base, wikipad and others to use the data files directly off the network drive and this works perfectly. It's also terrific for setting your collaborative software (wikiedit, etc.) to use it., to use the Network Drive. And it doesn't make any difference if you have a PC, a MAC, or a Linux machine (or a whole network of them)... It's as simple as this... It just works.

 

Possible Concerns:

Depends on your internet connection. Inherent to CloudBackup is your broadband connection. If you have restricted usage limits then CloudBackup might push it for your first backup cycle.However, you can set your backup to specific times and limit bandwidth use independently. Upload speed limit controls and it's efficent use of bandwidth makes this a non-issue. It has to be said I guess I'm always open to do nearly the same for cheaper or free. But OPENRSM CloudBackup is very cost effective with a feature set surpassing more expensive providers.

 

Here's why I reccomend it:

It's the secure solution for painless backup and file access. Together, it's like the killer app of all time. Add the extreme flexibility and I heartily recommend this with no qualms.  Paying a small monthly fee to have his peace of mind is worth it for me.

How it Fares:

• OPENRSM CloudBackup has more space and reliability than a local backup.
• Files are still available for all processes with full functionality unlike something like Xdrive or Mozy.
• The backup works as good as a local backup.
• You can still use your own sync or backup software with it, even if you don't really need them as the backup interval can be set as low as 5 minutes and as high as weekly.

 

The Last Word

CloudBackup is a powerful, flexible, and reliable way to solve data storage issues inexpensivly.  I have to recommend it except if you have unreasonable external restrictions on your connection, or because you don't need to backup data (and if you don't need to backup, you dont' have a computer so your not able to read this anyway). Systems that can do this for less may be out there, but I havn't found any. CloudBackup is a rock solid way to make life simpler for my home and work computers.