Virtual backup launched in the UK

Plan B DR is offering virtualisation-based disaster recovery services

British company Plan B DR is looking to shake up the data recovery market with what it claims is the first fully managed, virtualisation-based disaster recovery and backup service.

The system uses an appliance that plugs directly into the network and takes regular snapshots of data changes, encrypts them and sends them back to Plan B DR’s servers. The data is then converted into computer images that can be reloaded whenever trouble hits.

“Traditionally, SME-size companies have faced enormous costs and inflexible regimes to implement effective IT disaster recovery provisions. Many have therefore been forced to settle for a mere plan of actions or ineffective options that may in reality do little to reduce their risks," said Tim Dunger, operations director at Plan B DR.

“We re-thought the processes and procedures behind traditional disaster recovery and saw virtualisation technology as the catalyst for change as it breaks the link between a system’s software layer and the costly hardware it runs on."

The company is pricing the systems at £199 per month but companies can try the system for 45 days before paying.