Veritas soldiers on despite merger
As the company finalises its US$13.5 billion merger with security software firm Symantec, Veritas introduced an upgraded version of Backup Exec, Backup Exec Suite -- which includes Replication Exec and Storage Exec -- and a Web-based version of its Direct Assist support tool.
According to Veritas, Backup Exec version 10 will offer faster disk-based data recovery by utilising a new feature called synthetic backup -- where daily, incremental backups are "melded together" to create a single, full backup at the end of the week.
"Synthetic backup is (really) the future," said Ralph C. Barber, chief information officer at leading US law firm Holland & Knight. "We're now rolling out Backup Exec 10 and we anticipate cost savings of 20-man hours per week as a result of reduced time and resources in backup, monitoring and reporting."
Microsoft is also a large Veritas customer. "Backup Exec is used over 5,000 servers by our internal team," said Robert Bernard, general manager, Global ISV Strategy at the software giant.
Farmers & Merchant Bank, a privately-held American financial institution with 21 branches, rolled out Replication Exec three months ago.
"We approached a stage where one tape no longer sufficed our backup needs. With Backup Exec 10 and Replication Exec, a 30 percent improvement in IT staff productivity is on the cards.
"And we expect cost savings of US$100,000 annually," said the bank's CIO, Robert Graham.
All three customers provided testimonials during today's launch in New York.
Direct Assist -- which comprises self-diagnostic troubleshooting functions for Backup Exec users at no charge -- is now available online. Previously, users had to download the software.
"We hope these products will help resolve the issue of increasing data volumes, which is growing at 50 percent each year," said Jeremy Burton, Veritas executive vice-president, Data Management Group.
Pricing for Backup Exec 10 starts at US$895. Replication Exec and Storage Exec begin at US$1,495 and US$795, respectively.
Meanwhile, the company announced Veritas Virtual Academy, a new online training centre for partners and users worldwide incorporating live Web casts, self-study modules and certification courses.