IBM software for Apple

E-mail software from IBM will be available on Apple iPhones and iPod Touch devices under a new partnership that brings together two big rivals of Microsoft, reports Associated Press.

IBM plans a formal announcement of the Lotus Notes e-mail package for Apple's portable devices at its Lotusphere conference, in Orlando, Florida, next week. The software, which requires use of IBM's Domino e-mail server program, will be free for users who already have a Lotus Web-access licence and start at $39 per year for new users.

IBM also plans to release Lotus Notes and the free Lotus Symphony "productivity" package – which includes documents, spreadsheets and other Microsoft Office-like software – for Apple's Macintosh computers.

Courtesy of IT Web

Best practice tips for better backup in 2008

Do you know how your organization measures up in regard to the basics of backup operations? Here's a checklist of 10 areas you should focus on to build a more effective backup practice.

1. Plan ahead. Backup is one strategic component of data protection; others include mirrors, snapshots and replication. In most environments, traditional backup serves as the last resort for data recovery. But as a strategic element, backup planning should be a fundamental part of the overall storage plan.

Gbackup's fully automated remote data backup serves as an easy, cost effective and hassle-free solution to your company's backup needs.

2. Establish a life cycle operations calendar. An effective backup operation requires certain tasks to be completed successfully every day. There are also weekly, monthly, quarterly and even annual tasks that are as important as daily tasks. While short-term tasks are highly tactical, long-term tasks tend to be more strategic. In an effective backup operations environment, all tasks should be documented and performed on schedule.

Gbackup's Open File Agent continues to backup files whilst they are being worked on.

3. Review backup logs daily. A review of backup application error and activity logs is a key daily task--but one that's often easier said than done. Log analysis can be time-consuming, but it can pay extremely valuable dividends and is essential to reliable backup.

Gbackup sends you a daily email notifications on your current backup status for you to review. Gbackup software is pre-configured to use bit-backup technology. This technology assesses each individual file and only sends changes within each file to our servers after the initial backup. This ensures that no errors are incurred as well as maintaining an efficient backup solution leaving you confident and satisfied.

4. Protect your backup database or catalog. All backup applications maintain a database or catalog that's absolutely critical to the recovery of backed up data. Lose the catalog and you've lost your backups. While some backup applications have mechanisms for reading through tapes and recovery indexes, this can be an onerous--if not impossible--task.

Gbackup automatically keeps and sends you a catalogue of backed up data, it is imperative that you keep a record of this - which Gbackup will backup as well.

5. Identify and resolve backup window failures daily. Backup window failures are successful backups that exceed the expected backup window. Because the backup job itself completes, no errors are reported in the error log, so this problem is often overlooked. In addition to affecting production environments and creating user dissatisfaction, jobs that approach or exceed the backup window may be warning signs of impending capacity limits or performance bottlenecks. Recognizing and addressing these issues as early as possible can prevent future failures and avoid user dissatisfaction.

Gbackup solves this problem by constantly re-evaluating your PC, laptop or server system. Multiple copies of files are stored using a sophisticated version control system, unavailable in most other backup software. In addition the auto select functionality can be used to ensure that specific types of files, for example .doc, excel etc. , will get backedup irrespective of where they are.

6. Locate and back up orphan systems and volumes. Your backup software invariably provides you with some level of reporting information about daily backup success.

Gbackup automatically keeps and sends you a notification of your backup status which includes the amount of files backed up; the size of your compressed backed up data; the percentage of your storage quota used. Also attached is are log files that illustrate exactly which data was backed up.

7. Centralize and automate the backup management as much as possible. A key to successful data protection is consistency. This doesn't mean that all data must be treated in the same manner. What it does mean is that all data of equivalent value and importance to the organization should be managed in a similar fashion.

Gbackup automatically backups your data, encrypts it, sends it over the Internet to a secure off-site location. The entire process is completely automated. Our various packages Gbackup Manager and Gbackup Lite ensures you peace of mind knowing that all data within the organization, from the server to mobile units are managed consistently and effectively without impacting on staff productivity.

8. Create and maintain an open issues report. Finding and fixing problems are tactical activities critical to backup success. However, the process of managing those problems effectively and establishing appropriate metrics indicative of backup quality is essential to drive systemic improvement of backup infrastructures.

Gbackup provides you with live and on site support 24/7 365days. Try it out yourself visit our site and chat to a consultant right away.

9. Ensure that backup is integrated with the change control process. Backup environments are by their nature highly dynamic. Unfortunately, within backup organizations, too often the change process for backup is equally dynamic. Just as backup must be part of the strategic planning process, on an operational level, backup must be part of an organization's formal change control process.

Gbackup works within a variety of platforms whilst constantly re-evaluating your system.

10. Leverage your vendors effectively. A fundamental question that you must be able to answer is: Does your vendor have the right skills to support your needs? All technical problems get resolved, eventually. If your technical problem isn't being resolved in a reasonable amount of time, then you may not be working with the right vendor. This becomes extremely apparent when multiple products from multiple vendors are integrated.

Gbackup's team of highly trained technical staff are on hand at all times. We are also constantly manually monitoring your backups together with our automated backup software. Providing you with a world class backup solution.

These 10 tasks may seem basic, but accomplishing them isn't always easy. They depend on a number of key elements: appropriate reporting and measurement capabilities, a high degree of staff competency within the backup organization and solid cross-functional communication. The impediments can be significant, including costs, resource availability, skill levels, organizational politics and a host of others.

Checklist courtesy of www.searchstorage.com

So how does Gbackup Online Backup Software work?

The Gbackup Suite consists of 3 main modules:

1. The client software – Gbackup Manager and Gbackup Lite
2. The server software – Gbackup Server
3. The replication server – Gbackup Replication Server

Gbackup Manager is a client application with a user-interface for easy backup configuration. It allows you to upload selected files to the Backup server and whilst running scheduled backup jobs. It also allows you to create different backup sets for different backup purpose. Besides file backup, Gbackup Manager can backup a list of applications such as MS Exchange, MS SQL, Oracle, MySQL, Lotus Domino, and much more. OBM supports Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Linux, Mac OS X, etc.

Gbackup Lite is a client application with essential file backup functionalities and an intuitive user-interface targeting for simple end-users. It allows users to upload selected files to the Backup server and runs scheduled backup jobs.

Gbackup Server is a server application which stores backup data from multiple Gbackup Manager and Lite backup accounts. It has a web-based Management Console for system administrators to manage the Backup Server, such as configuring system and backup account settings, and viewing backup statistics and reports. Users can also logon to this Management Console to manage their own backup account or restore their own backup data. Gbackup Server supports Windows, Linux and Mac OS platforms.

Gbackup Replication Server is another server application running on a separate machine, it provides close to real-time backup for multiple Gbackup Servers. So even if one of the server failed, the Gbackup Replication Server still has a copy of the backup data.

For more information visit our website or chat to a consultant here

Become a Gbackup re-seller

Here is a great business opportunity for small IT companies. Gbackup strives to team up with partners that are both knowledgeable and motivated to succeed.
All you need to do is actively promote the Gbackup service to your existing clients.

What will Gbackup will do for you?

• Gbackup will bill your clients on your behalf.
• Gbackup will provide free telephonic and online live support to clients.
• Gbackup will provide you your own online managing system.
• Gbackup will provide you with marketing materials up to R5 000.
• Gbackup will complete the sale with clients n your behalf.
  
• Gbackup will pass on installation and on site work to you once you complete our optional training course.

You can then choose to either opt for the commission structure or choose to purchase Gbackup solutions at wholesale prices.

What is required to become a partner?

All it takes is a nominal fee of R68.04 incl VAT to become a Gbackup partner. This will include a Gbackup Lite License with 50MB of compressed data storage. You will also be rewarded with further discounts based on the amount of business you bring in.

To speak to one of our consultants live or for further information click here.

India's Tata Motors launch new Nano

Everyone in the office is talking about ....

India's Tata Motors on Thursday unveiled its much anticipated US$2 500 (R17 000) car, an ultracheap price tag that suddenly brings car ownership into the reach of tens of millions of people across the world.

While the price has created a buzz, critics say the vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will lead to millions more cars hitting already clogged Indian roads, adding to mounting air and noise pollution problems. Others have said Tata will have to sacrifice quality and safety standards to meet the target price.

Company Chairperson Ratan Tata has said the car will be the least polluting car on the Indian roads and meet necessary safety standards.

He argues that the car would be better and far safer than most motorcycles on India's roads.

Chief UN climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, said last month that "I am having nightmares" about the prospect of the low-cost car.

While introducing the car at an auto show in New Delhi, Tata said the Nano had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles per gallon.

"Dr. Pachauri need not have nightmares," Tata said.

Dealers will sell the car for 100,000 rupees - converting to R 17 448 -, but customers will pay slightly more than that due to taxes and other charges.

The four-door five-seater car has a small 33bhp 624cc engine at the rear and is due to hit the market later this year.

The Tata Nano - which looks almost exactly like a Smart - has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering for the basic model, although two deluxe models will be on offer.

But Ratan Tata compared the launch of the car as a landmark in the history of transportation like the first powered flight by the Wright brothers and the first lunar landing.

He said he wanted to make "a safe, affordable and all weather transport - a people's car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all" and "a car that most people said could not be manufactured at that price". AFP

Get FREE backup

There is nothing worse than finding your company's crucial data corrupted. Gbackup allows you to quickly and effectively restore data within minutes. Saving you time.

When considering purchasing a backup solution, based on best practices, the following should be kept in mind.

• Backups should be done daily.
• All backups should be stored off site.
• Backups should be verified once completed.
• The medium used to store the backups should be highly reliable.
• The backup process must be efficient, effective and meet your unique needs.
• The backup must be quick to restore your data, in order to minimize downtime in case of a disaster.

Gbackup does all this without you having to lift a finger.
Try it for yourself. Simply click on our logo to download a trial version. And go straight to "Getting Started"

New year, new look

We at Gbackup would like to wish you a Happy New Year! Already 2008 has brought with it some fantastic new changes.

Now you can expect live support from any of our departments - sales, accounts and support - 24/7 365. So now you can chat to us live with any queries you may have about Gbackup. We are here for you!

So take a little of the burden off your shoulders this year, let Gbackup take care of all your data backup requirements.

To speak to one of our consultants right now click here