Email and web security firm Barracuda Networks has launched a message archiving unit aimed at small businesses.

The new Barracuda Message Archiver 150 provides email and instant messaging (IM) archiving for up to 75 users.

Barracuda's Message Archiver range now features Microsoft Exchange 'stubbing', allowing administrators to save email server storage and bandwidth requirements by moving email attachments from Exchange to Message Archiver.

The surge in email use means that the retention of old email and attachments can be a complex and resource-heavy task, according to Barracuda, and new legislation is only adding to the problem.

"The adoption of email and IM archiving technologies has grown beyond litigation and compliance concerns, to solving practical operational problems," said Stephen Pao, vice president of product management at Barracuda.

"With new capabilities focused on optimising storage efficiencies, and a new model targeted at smaller organisations, we believe we are well positioned to expand the market for email and IM archiving."

Stubbing works on a policy basis, connecting the Archiver with the Exchange server and then finding emails that match the policy rules based on attributes like attachment size and message age, and copying them over. The system leaves behind a hyperlink, so that files can be easily retrieved at a later date.

Archiver also features an add-on for Outlook to ensure that attachments are handled correctly when stubbed emails are accessed or forwarded to another user. Those not using Outlook have to access the attachments through the provided hyperlink.

"With Exchange stubbing, administrators can realise the benefits of efficient storage management and compliance satisfaction, without disrupting the ease of access that the end user expects when looking for an email or its attachment," added Pao.

The Barracuda Message Archiver 150 is available now starting at £1,799 with no per-user fees.

Exchange stubbing is already included in the Message Archiver 150 and is available as part of a free upgrade to firmware version 2.0 for existing customers.