Features - Storage Innovations:

ADAPTEC DELIVERS AUTOMATIC BACKUP FOR CORPORATE DATA

Adaptec Inc, a global leader in storage solutions, introduced an application-specific storage array that automatically backs up corporate PC and laptop information unprotected by standard server backups and gives users an easy way to restore lost files.

Backing up data stored on business servers is common practice but leaves information saved locally on desktop PC and laptop hard drives exposed to loss when systems or drives fail, files are inadvertently deleted or notebook computers are dropped and damaged. Losing this unprotected data can reduce worker productivity, cause costly interruptions in business activity and put companies at risk of violating Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations mandating long-term records retention.

"Backup of individual desktops and laptops to protect user data and files is a task that IT managers acknowledge is important," said Fred Broussard, senior research analyst with IDC's PC and Device Management software program. "Solutions like the Adaptec File Saver system can provide protection against lost, missing or corrupted files."

The Adaptec File Saver ESA1500 is a high-availability, highly fault tolerant network-attached storage RAID appliance that provides realtime backup of PC and laptop data and allows users to restore lost files themselves. The 1 terabyte storage array is as easy to install as a printer and can be easily scaled to 4TB of storage capacity by adding appliances. Adaptec File Saver delivers advanced RAID 5 data protection, and optional Adaptec RAIN (Redundant Array of Independent Nodes) technology provides appliance-level redundancy for best-in-class fault tolerance.

"Small businesses, remote offices, workgroups and mobile laptop users need a cost-effective way to automatically protect data stored on local hard disk drives," said Ram Jayam, vice president and general manager of Adaptec's Storage Networking Group. "Adaptec File Saver is an important part of our strategy to provide organizations with external storage solutions targeting applications such as backup, disaster recovery, email, database and consolidation."

Orange County, Fla., Uses Adaptec File Saver To Automate Data Backup

The Electronic Access Department of the Orange County, Fla., facilities management division is the keeper of safe and lock combinations and other security information for all 6,000 county employees, who need access to every government site including the county courthouse and jail, sheriff's office, and parks and recreation facilities.

The division was storing the security data on disk drives in several databases, which required manual saves with each modification and staffing levels that drove up storage costs. It considered and tried other approaches -- including adding CD ROM storage, using tape drives and deploying backup software -- that meant failed backups, lost data and constant maintenance problems before finding a solution in the Adaptec File Saver ESA1500.

"The Adaptec File Saver ESA1500 gives us a simple, cost-effective way to share, back up and store security information for county employees," said Ron Gawlik, the division's East District maintenance supervisor. "Adaptec File Saver enabled us to set up an in-house network for our five databases and deploy a fail-safe system for automated data backups. What's more, installation and setup was a snap -- it took just five minutes. Adaptec File Saver fits our needs to a tee."