Best Business Backup Software?

Looking to get a backup solution for a new server at work and getting totally disenchanted with the complexity and cost of it all.

I've looked at Symantec Backup Exec, HP Data Protector Express, CA ARCServe, Acronis True Image Echo Server, to name but a few. Seems each one has it's failures, for instance:

Symantec is costly (about £3000 for what I 'think' I need).

HP's support forums do not have a dedicated Data Protector area and appears to lack support, plus the fact that when I called up for pricing/info, I got redirected a few times before being given a contact name and mobile(!) number for a product salesman which went to voicemail - very professional!!

CA ARCserve's product information is dire! I do not know if the product serves my needs or not! Appears pricey too.

Acronis were close (good price), until I installed their trial software - thank god I did - it appears their support offerings for tape backup is non-existent and I noted they categorically do not support tape devices in Windows 2007 or later. Plus the fact it did not work!

If anyone can offer a good alternative or tell me that HP's DPE software is good, I would appreciate it.

It will be for backing up a Windows 2003 Server (AD/DC, Exchange) using a HP Ultrium 448 tape drive.

Rant over - thanks!

TEk

securidata software is an online back'up system which works well with servers and popular aswell. you tell it wich files or folders to back'up and which time ect.. its recommended to back'up small files like word, excel ect..not pictures and music it saves 3 versions of the origin. so each time u update a doc it wont replace it u always have the last 3 versions.

Thanks, but it hardly sounds like a business/corporate suite; besides, I've never heard of them!

TEk

We run tape based CA ARCServe 12.0 at our small business. I can't remember what we originally paid for it but annual maintenance is around $300 to $400 and entitles us to upgrade to the latest version. It's always been reliable and whenever I've needed to restore anything, it has always worked. Based on our experiences, I'd buy it again. (Our installation is maintained by our server consultant. I know a little about ARCServe's inner workings but not a lot.)

Thanks HAN, I'll take another look....

TEk

for small server weather you heard of them or not online backup is the best because the volume wouldn't be much and its safe and secure and affordable there are thousand of providers but securedata is just what I like to work with I didn't force you to use it, just pointed out online back'up. but online on its own isn't enough you still have to find a local backup way, like a local network drive and also get it on hard media like DVD dual layer, and make 3 copies and store them in 3 diffrent locations or cities or countries. (if you get robbed)

best backup software? there is no best, it's just what you can afford, they all same range of price because they all do the samething, the best is the one that comes with telephone support 24h, but it's not the software that makes a diffrence its where the data goes to. usualy hard drives are not best because they fail at anytime, dvds are ok but they get scratched..TAPE is old but lasts.

for corporate servers (business with big money) than tape back'up is old technology still affordable, but you just have to get the proper back'up tower rack wich consists of like up to 50 hard drives, half is for backup the other half is for mirror raid. (copy of the copy) dell sells them ready made, costs between £3000 and £10000 they dont need maintenance, just set and go.