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.

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.

No, not your temper as you sardine yourself into the shopping mall—we’re talking about your smartphone.

According to cloud storage provider, Mozy, who recently surveyed 3500 people across the United States and Europe, you’re most likely to lose something at six o’clock on a Saturday during the month of December.

The cloud storage provider found that the switchover from work to weekend during the festive season, with all the travelling, celebrations and shopping, seemed to provide the essential ingredients to cook up a bitter recipe of loss.

The top 10 list of possessions most likely to go for a walk were:

1)       smartphone

2)       jewelry

3)       sunglasses

4)       keys

5)       bank/credit card

6)       clothing

7)       umbrella

8)       wallet/purse

9)       identification

10)   paperwork

It was calculated that the average person loses around $250 worth of possessions annually. It’s not all doom and gloom, however, with 55% of those possessions finding their way back due to the kind hearts of strangers.

One terrible fact is highlighted within this list, though: smartphones are at risk! Since they hold a mass of data too, including music, photos and videos, it’s lucky users now have the option to backup their devices in case the worst should happen.

So don’t wait for your smartphone to do a disappearing act—secure it with cloud storage now!

There are many things in life which we simply can’t control. Some are trivial setbacks that come down to chance or bad luck from being in the wrong place at the wrong time such as someone reversing into your car. Others, however, on the opposite end of the scale, can be far more costly both financially and emotionally. And you only need look at the recent destruction to Eastern US states to see evidence of just how much damage life’s ultimate disasters can bring.

The super storm was the trigger of huge floods which resulted in ruin on a massive scale throughout cities and homes, putting them in darkness as power stations were hit, causing catastrophic damages.

Since many computers and electrical devices were wiped out, this incident begs us all to ask ourselves just how much our data is worth in a number of different ways. For instance, doesn’t all the data that sits inside our hard drives have a price tag?

For most of us, it does. Think of all those thousands of photos, videos, music, and document files you view regularly. And what about its worth in terms of nostalgia and memories? Photos and videos of weddings, birthdays and holidays are all moments in our lives which we’d never like to see disappear, would we?

And they don’t ever have to.

Maybe you can’t guarantee that a natural disaster won’t ever hit your home, but one thing you can do is back your files up so they can be recovered in the event of a tragedy. Using a cloud storage service is a great way of doing this since it allows you store all of your data away from your home at secure data centers located around the world. With bank grade levels of encryption in place, your data couldn’t be any safer.

With the cloud storage industry currently booming with many, many providers, the prices for home and business accounts are more affordable than ever before. So when it comes to securing our digital media and important documents, now really is the time.

If you’re a frequent visitor to our site, you’ll have noticed that cloud storage provider, ZipCloud, has shown unbelievable determination to stay inside our top 10 best online backup list for quite a few weeks now.

There are many reasons why it’s stayed there, of which you’re probably already aware if you’re one of their customers. ‘Adaptable’ and ‘evolving’ may be two words that summarize this provider well; whether it’s software updates which enhance their services, or the introduction of extra features and apps, ZipCloud is certainly a provider that won’t be seen falling behind the competition any time soon.

Their new Android cloud storage app is a perfect example of the company’s relentless pursuit to cater for everyone—no matter their device. Not only have they catered, they’ve also developed a cloud storage tool which is exceptionally easy to use.

To prove how refreshingly convenient and simple some of the app’s functions are, here’s a quick guide on how to operate some of them:

Performing Automatic Photo Backup (Backup Method):

-          Once you’re logged in, tap the Settings button at the top of the screen

-          Now simply scroll down and tap the tick box which reads Enable Camera Sync—and that’s all there is to it; any photos in your camera roll and any saved there in the future will be automatically backed up

Performing Automatic Photo Backup (Sync Method):

-          Tap Upload

-          Tick the photos you want to upload to your Sync Folder

-          Tap Next

-          and then lastly tap Upload Here—after a brief moment your photos will be viewable from the Sync Folder

Performing Gmail Photo Shares:

-          After you’ve located the photo you wish to share, hold your finger over till a menu appears

-          Tap Share

-          Another menu will pop up with options such as Flickr, Gmail and Facebook

-          Tap Gmail

-          Enter the email address of who you’d like to share the photo with, including a subject and message if you like also

-          Finally tap the Send button at the top of the screen—your photo will then be shared

To experience the Android cloud storage app for yourself, simply head over to the Android Market or Google Play Store now.