EMC Unveils Software As a Service For Data BackupEMC Unveils Software As a Service For Data Backup

EMC today is introducing a service that lets businesses automatically and securely back up their desktops, laptops and branch-office Windows servers online.MozyEnterprise represents a major effort by the Hopkington, Mass.-based company to deliver data storage in the form of software as a service (SaaS) -- a market in which SMBs spent more than $3 billion in 2007 and is expected to outpace spending on packaged software by as much as three times over the next five years, according to AMI-Partners.

EMC began its foray into SaaS for data backup with its October acquisition of Berkeley Data, which provided unlimited online backups to home users. EMC continues to provide that service, according to Boston.com, though its new offering targets businesses up through the enterprise.

"Anyone with a broadband connection and an Internet browser can provide online backup for their PCs," said Roy Sanford, vice president of marketing for EMC's SaaS business.

With MozyEnterprise, EMC also expands its strategy of relying less on hardware to fuel its business. The online backup solution runs on EMC Fortress, a platform the company says will be used for additional storage SaaS products over the Internet.

MozyEnterprise is available direct from EMC and through channel partners. Pricing is available on the company?s Web site.Boston.com