Product Overview

BackBlaze offer a single package which gives unlimited storage for $5 per month or $50 per year. Their approach to backups is slightly unusual in that they presume you want to backup all your personal files - documents, music, pictures, videos, etc. - and you have to remove files from the backup set that you do not want backed up. The interface provides support for 11 languages and file restores can be via web or for a fee can be mailed to you on DVDs or a USB drive.

Feature Set

Security

BackBlaze security is very good. They use double encryption techniques involving 128bit AES encryption and your own private key to ensure your data is truly secure.

Physically, their data center is in 365 Main Datacenter where they share space Sun Micro, Cnet and Esurance amongst others.

For more information about their security, see this entry on their blog.

Backup Features

By default BackBlaze uses continuous backup to ensure all changes to you files are immediately backed up. You can also setup scheduling or manually kick off backups whenever you wish.

Open files can be backed up, however, server database such as SQL server or Exchange Server are not supported. You can backup external drives but not network drives. File versioning is available upto 45 days for unlimited versions of files.

Restore Features

Restores are performed from the web portal and can be delivered in 3 ways: zip file directly to any device you are using - this is free. To DVD if you are restoring less than 4Gb of data - this costs you $99. Or if you are restoring a lot of data, they will send you a USB drive and charge you $189. These options seem a bit steep but most Online Backup Providers do not even give you these options.

Control and Analysis

A central control panel is provided on the web portal which allows management of multiple accounts. Within the client program you can see details of files waiting to be backed up as well as summary graphs of what has already been backed up.

Interface

The web and client interfaces are simple and easy to use. Information is presented in a clear and concise way and there are a reasonable amount of options without there being a bombardment.

Device Support

Current BackBlaze supports MAC and PC platforms only.

Limitations

None.

File Sharing and Collaboration

None.

Synchronisation

With web portal but not between machines.

Web 2.0 Integration

None.

Pricing

BackBlaze offers a single package as shown below:

Plan	online backup
Initial setup	free
Cost – Monthly	$5 / mth / device
Cost – Yearly	$50 / year / device
Initial allowed storage amount	unlimited
Cost of additional storage	n/a
Cost of additional devices / PCs / users	$5 / mth / device
Referral Program
E-billing facility

Ease Of Use

BackBlaze is very easy to use, if you leave it at the default settings, then it will backup all your personal files from all your local drives automatically. If you need to change things then the options screens are well laid out and easy to navigate.

Screenshots

Customer Support

There is no 'live support', i.e., telephone or live chat. However, there is email support which is promptly answered and the tech. support guys are friendly and knowledgeable. There is also a Blog filled with useful information.

For self-help there is some documentation - although the system is so straightforward that more documentation would be fairly pointless. There is also an FAQ section and the free trial lasts 15 days, so you have plenty of time to assess the service before committing your whole $5 per month!

Summary

You can be up and running with BackBlaze in under 5 minutes. The experience of setting up BackBlaze was similar to jumping on a frisky horse: The problem is not getting started; the problem is trying to keep up! The minute BackBlaze is installed it immediately scans your locally connected drives, locates your personal files such as documents, pictures, music, etc. and instantly starts to back them up for you. It's like having your very own over-eager Jeannie desperate to get the job done.

The pricing is excellent and while there are a lot of customer support options not provided, the provided support is very well done and their technical staff are very helpful and friendly.

If you are looking for a straightforward online backup solution at a fixed price then BackBlaze is well worth considering.

Click here to signup for the free trial and get backing up today!