StorageTek, Arsenal Launch Managed BackupStorageTek, Arsenal Launch Managed Backup

Storage Technology Corp. yesterday unveiled a new data protection service that promises "pay-as-you-go" pricing, based on on both capacity consumed and numbers of users.

ViaRemote offers data protection across branch offices and remote locations using existing network connections, and is intended to help customers minimize downtime, improve business continuity and meet regulatory requirements. compliance without capital investment or additional onsite IT staff support.

ViaRemote embraces distributed servers, PCs and laptops and backs them up to a secure, offsite facility with 24-hour support. Users can schedule and monitor online backup and restores with a web portal. A preconfigured storage appliance installed on the customer's LAN helps customers meet stringent recovery time objectives, the vendor said. StorageTek is partnering with Arsenal Digital Solutions, a managed services provider, to offer ViaRemote.

Even brief downtime can impact revenue and operations, according to StorageTek. "Protection measures are not simple or reliable, yet there is increasing pressure to meet regulations and satisfy service level agreements. IT managers, already stressed by these factors, are challenged to complete regular backups and recoveries without losing data," the vendor said in a statement.

ViaRemote is available now. Monthly pricing for servers is $20 per protected gigabyte up to 50 Gbytes, and scales to more than 50 terabytes at $4 per protected Gbyte. ViaRemote for PC and laptops will cost users with up to 500 users $12.50 per month per seat for up to 500 megabytes protected; For 5 to 10 of protected Gbytes, the monthly price is $15. For 501 to 1,000 computers, the monthly price per seat is approximately $12 for up to 500 MBytes protected; for 5 to 10 Gbytes, the price is about $13.