Symantec launches backup and archive services for enterprises

Symantec has launched a software-as-a-service platform designed to simplify the way companies back up, archive and manage data.

The Symantec.cloud platform provides enterprises with options for storing and managing data without the need for additional on-premise resources or staff, the firm said.

The Symantec Backup Exec.cloud service, meanwhile, offers small business and branch office administrators a platform that automatically backs up data from servers and end-user PCs to remote datacentres hosted by Symantec. The platform is compatible with the company's Backup Exec software for larger offices.

Symantec is also looking to extend its .cloud brand to the email archiving space. Symantec Enterprise Vault.cloud offers email archiving, storage and management for companies required to maintain archives for compliance and regulatory mandates.

Mobility is also set to be a key area of focus. Symantec is beta testing an iPhone app which allow administrators to access and manage .cloud services from the Apple handset.

The company said that the .cloud platform is part of a larger effort to streamline IT operations for businesses of all sizes, while increasing management and security options.

"We've seen a great deal of momentum in the adoption of cloud-based services for their ease of management and deployment," said Symantec.cloud senior vice president Rowan Trollope.

"This demand has necessitated expansion of our datacentre capabilities to deliver software-as-a-service services to customers in more than 112 countries."

Data storage has been one of the slower-developing areas of cloud computing, often dogged by customer concerns over performance and security.