Product Overview

Acronis have been around since 2001. Originally they focused on disk partitioning software, then expanded this into the backup and disaster recovery arena and now cover the whole field of PC protection. There flagship product: Acronis True Image is designed to backup to hard drives, network drives and external media. In 2010 they released Acronis Backup and Recovery 10 for corporate clients.

Their online backup solution was released in 2010 and can be installed as a standalone application or as part of Acronis True Image. This is Acronis' first foray into the cloud computing world and marks a huge step in keeping your data secure.

Feature Set

Security

Security is good: Files are protected with 256 AES encryption both during transfer and when stored on their servers. There is an option to use your own encryption key which keeps your data even more secure but if you forget the password you will lose all the data you have backed up. So keep it safe!

Backup Features

Acronis Online Backup offers a simple backup scheduling service. Once you have installed the client software, simply choose the files and folders you wish to backup and then either set a schedule for them to be backed up or click 'Back Up Now'. The client is capable of backing up open / in use files but appears not to use block level incremental backups which means that backups can take longer than some other providers.

File versioning is supported and an unlimited amount of versions can be stored for upto 45 days. You can also set a specific number of versions to keep.

Restore Features

Restores can be performed from either the client software or from the web portal. In either case, you have the option to choose which version of a file you wish to restore. Once selected, the file is returned to you as a zip (compressed) file which means you can save it anywhere you wish.

If you have backed up files more than once in a day, then a scrollbar at the bottom of the client and web portal interfaces shows the times of each successful backup and allows you to click on these times to restore files from that particular backup.

Control and Analysis

If you use Acronis Online Backup as part of another Acronis Product such as True Image then Online Backup seamlessly integrates with the parent product and you have access to all the reporting, logging and controls from the parent. If you use Acronis Online Backup as a standalone product, then you get no reporting or logging.

Processor throttling can be set to Low, Medium or High, while bandwidth can be set to any limit you like. Proxy servers are supported. Backup status can be sent to multiple email addresses and you can configure the client to perform pre and post operations, this can be very useful if for example you want to backup a database to the local drive so it can be included in the online backup.

Interface

The client interface on the standalone version is very simple and allows you to see how much of your storage allowance you have used up on each of up to 5 PCs at a glance. It also shows you when the next scheduled backup is due. The web portal interface is almost identical to the client interface lacking only the backup options.

Device Support

Currently only supports Windows client PCs.

Limitations

No support for MAC, mobile devices or server platforms.
No way to extend past the 250Gb allowance.
No way to add more than 5 PCs to an account.

File Sharing and Collaboration

None.

Synchronization

Synchronization to the web portal but not between PCs.

Web 2.0 Integration

None.

Pricing

Acronis offer 1 Online Backup package as shown below:

Plan	Online Backup
Initial setup	free
Cost – Monthly	$3.95 / mth
Cost – Yearly	$39.95 / year
Initial allowed storage amount	250Gb
Cost of additional storage	n/a
Cost of additional devices / PCs / users	n/a
Referral Program
E-billing facility

Up to 5 PCs may share the 250Gb allowance. There is a 60 day free trial which provides 2Gb of backup space.

Hidden cost: Telephone support can be purchased on a per incident basis for $11.84.

Ease Of Use

The client is easy to setup and very easy to run. The interface makes managing up to 5 PCs very easy and provides an instant overview of how much data has been archived for each PC and how much you have remaining. The interface is clean and clear with no learning curve required to get up and running.

Screenshots

Customer Support

Support options include:

• LiveChat: http://www.acronis.com/contactsupport.htm?d=2
• Knowledgebase: http://kb.acronis.com
• Forums: http://forum.acronis.com
• Email a question from a web form
• Self-help: User Guides, FAQs, Demo, Tutorials and Testimonials

Telephone support can be purchased on a per incident basic for $11.84.

Summary

This is Acronis' first attempt at an online backup solution and I think they have done rather well. The fact that the product can be either standalone or integrated into the existing client software is a great touch and provides flexibility for users. There are a few things missing from the standalone version, such as reporting and centralized control of all PCs within one account. But these will probably come with time.

The single plan offers a generous 250Gb of storage for a very reasonable price and the client can be configured to use as much or as little resource and bandwidth as you wish. The interface is clean and easy to use and restores are quick and reliable.

All in all Acronis have produced a solid, straightforward and very reliable online backup solution at a great price which is backed by the Acronis name: A worldwide leader in backup technology. If you want even more security, then buy one of their suite programs, such as Acronis True Image Home and get complete PC protection.