Online Backup

A brand new cloud storage service focusing on the small to medium-sized enterprise market has recently been launched, with the intention of enabling these SMEs to compete with larger businesses.

Known as IPC Cloud, the cloud storage service was revealed in the midst of a formal signing of the partnership between IP-Converge (a subsidiary of ePLDT) Data Servers Inc. and cloud storage provider Symantec.

President of IP-Converge, Rene Huegas, commented that IPC Cloud is a first for the country, the only cloud storage-based enterprise service which is powered by Symantec NetBackup.

The latest product allows companies to secure and replicate important and sensitive files automatically without the need for mammoth capital expenses toward servers, software licenses, and storage devices.

‘Gone are the days where big beats small,’ he stated, explaining the competition between enterprise and SME. ‘Today, it’s the fast that beats the slow. What matters now is your speed in the market.

Senior Country Manager of Symantec Philippines, Luichi Robles, said the service will also allow SMEs to add a business continuity plan in the unfortunate event of a data disaster.

‘The ability to quickly recover from a disaster is vital for today’s businesses,’ he continued. ‘A solid disaster preparedness and business continuity plan combined with technologies such as cloud storage, allow companies to better prepare and quickly recover from potential disasters.’

He also mentioned that IPC Cloud can perform backups on a regular basis, all for a monthly fee which is based on the actual amount of data stored within the business’ cloud storage account.

According to Symantec’s SMB Disaster preparedness Survey from last year, thirty four percent of SMBs globally are adopting public cloud and server virtualization to optimize data disaster preparedness.

Robles explained that the Philippines comes in third place for being the country most vulnerable to natural disasters, as stated in the World Risk Report which was published by German-based Alliance Development Works in October 2012.

It’s now known that Google Docs is no longer the only cloud storage office suite used on a mass scale. Microsoft recently announced that its SkyDrive service now hosts over 1 billion documents.

SkyDrive is of course well-known as the tech giant’s cloud storage and syncing appendage, which integrates with the Office Web applications for document editing online. Lead Program Manager (for SkyDrive, Office 365 & Office Web Applications), Sarah Filman, explained through a blog post one of the SkyDrive/Office Web Apps capabilities, which was to allow collaborators to edit documents even if they’re not signed into a Microsoft account.

Though this number may seem phenomenal, one has to hold their judgement until fierce cloud storage competitors such as Google Drive release their own comparative figures, which may well exceed that of Microsoft.

Filman stated that the sign-in-free editing aspect was one of the most popularly asked for by users. ‘One piece of feedback we’ve consistently heard, especially in the student area, is that our current SkyDrive edit links can sometimes be frustrating for recipients when they find they have to sign in or sign up for an account just to carry out a quick edit to a document.’

As well as editing documents individually, all users who receive an edit link can alter a document simultaneously. However, if security is a concern, the sharer can specify that the collaborator firstly signs in.

More information can be found on the SkyDrive website.

Cloud storage provider Dropbox has certainly been busy recently.

They’ve now released a new application for Windows 8 and Windows RT users, meaning that those running the most up to date Microsoft operating system, either via their Surface tablet, computer or notebook, will be able to access and manage their cloud storage account from the Start screen.

The free application shows the user all files—such as music, videos, photos and documents—and folders through a tiled display format. The application remains user-friendly for Windows RT users, implementing the swipe and tap features now familiar with other tablets, making file browsing simple, fast, and enjoyable.

This is made particularly easy because of the efficient tool known as Search Charm, which allows you to locate files by extension or title. Users can right click on a file, open Share Charm, and then share it via email or a social network with friends, family and co-workers. Previewing, editing and saving of Microsoft Office documents, plus other files types, stored within a user’s cloud storage account is also possible.

Unfortunately, however, this is about as far as the application’s features stretch. Users can’t view their locally synchronized files or upload new files to their account from their computer or tablet. If this is required, they will have to install Dropbox’s standard cloud storage desktop application, which will provide them with the necessary features.

The Windows 8/RT application is a worthy start from Dropbox, but it still has a way to go if the cloud storage company wish for users to take it as seriously as their standard desktop app.

More information can be found on the Dropbox website.

Pure cloud infrastructure-as-a-Service supplier, CloudSigma, announced yesterday that its co-founder and CEO, Robert Jenkins, will make a presentation at this year’s Storage Vision Conference, Las Vegas, to highlight the advantages of public cloud storage environments for digital media firms. Google’s product manager, Scott Van Wouldenberg, among many others, will be joining him on the Opportunities & Challenges for Consumer & Enterprise Cloud Storage panel, which is to take place on 7^th January, 1:20pm.

Jenkins will reveal how, in this new generation of big data, public cloud storage ecosystems can provide an undeniable solution for the storage of large media productions, no matter their specific requirements. Employing a central cloud storage environment allows media professionals to streamline what used to be an awkward production process.

The ability to swiftly distribute and receive large volumes of data between various locations is also vitally important, due to the fact that most firms are often pushed to the limit as it is when it comes to hitting deadlines.

Jenkins stated: ‘One of the biggest concerns of digital media firms is the potential to over, or under, provision. These organizations require a more efficient method of accessing important data at any production state in a cost effective manner, no matter their geographic locations. One way of removing this concern is by utilizing multiple cloud storage solutions, located in one centralized environment. I’m excited to present at the Storage Visions Conference about the opportunities these organizations have to reduce costs and become prominent, innovative players in the industry of digital media.’

Once again JustCloud have updated another aspect of their service. In recent weeks the provider seems to have been working around the clock to ensure that they remain one step ahead of their rivals who are always nipping at their heels.

We’ve seen the addition of their new thumbnail feature within their website control panel and iPhone cloud storage app, as well as their new Kindle Fire cloud storage app which was released just days ago. There’s also news of an app which will be soon available to users who own Windows Surface tablets.

The cloud storage provider has also updated their mobile optimized control panel for when users wish to access their accounts directly through their smartphone’s web browsers. They can expect to enjoy a significantly more responsive and efficient service.

For more information on JustCloud’s cloud storage apps, software, and personal and business packages, you can visit their website.