EMC, Connected unveil PC data protection offering

EMC Corporation, the world leader in information storage and management, and Connected Corporation, the leading provider of automated data protection, archiving and recovery solutions for distributed data, today announced a joint solution for automated PC data protection that provides telecommunications and cable service companies with a differentiated managed service offering that increases average revenue per user (ARPU) and leverages existing connections to Internet subscribers.

The new EMC Proven Solution for PC Backup will help telecommunications firms and cable companies create value-added services for small and medium enterprises and consumer Internet subscribers who can now backup laptop and desktop PCs over the Internet on an automated basis. These customers will be able to recover lost data by Internet downloads or custom CDs - no matter how the data was lost. By off-loading PC Backup to network service providers with this managed service, the IT departments of end user customers can lower support costs for desktop and mobile users by 30 percent and reduce end user downtime by 25 percent.

"Offering automated data backup services to our Business ISP customers gives us the opportunity to offer a more comprehensive security solution," said Justin Rivard, Product Manager for Bell Canada. "We custom brand the application as Bell Business Backup which is powered by Connected's DataProtector/PC technology and a secure, high capacity data center operation that utilizes EMC Centera and EMC CLARiiON storage systems. Our customers like the fact that they get this important data protection service through us as a trusted vendor. Simply, this allows us to play a more valuable role with our customers and build additional lines of recurring revenue."

The jointly developed solution consists of EMC CLARiiON CX networked storage and EMC Centera content addressed storage (CAS) integrated with Connected's DataProtector/PC data capture and restoration software. Backed up files are transported using telecommunications carriers' network services and archived on EMC storage platforms at the carriers' hosting site. In the event of unpredictable events such as hard drive crashes and lost or damaged PCs, subscribers will be able to recover any archived files using the DataProtector/PC Restore and Heal process, which delivers recovered data on-line or via custom CDs. The solution is capable of scaling to serve hundreds of thousands of subscribers and is easily integrated into telecommunications firms' existing billing and provisioning environments.

"Consumers use of externally provided data services is increasing at a staggering pace -- with Telecom companies being the primary providers," said Steve Duplessie, Founder/Senior Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. "This offer represents not only a giant opportunity for Connected and EMC, but also for the Telcos to grab more of the services landscape."

KPN, the largest telecommunications service provider in the Netherlands, will be rolling out a managed service offering for PC Backup to its DSL subscribers based on the EMC Proven Solution for PC Backup. Hans Aaldering, Product Market Manager at KPN, said, "Value added services such as Online Remote Backup will be important differentiators for KPN's business. KPN chose Connected's DataProtector/PC software with EMC Symmetrix and Centera networked storage platforms because of the proven solution's scalability and value in the marketplace. PC Backup and other data-based services help our business customers satisfy their need for business continuity and greatly contribute to customer satisfaction."

Don Swatik, EMC's Vice President of Global Solutions, said, "The world's leading telecommunications companies are turning to EMC for assistance in the creation of integrated solutions for managed services such as PC Backup. This EMC Proven Solution extends information lifecycle management to the PCs of DSL and cable Internet customers through service offerings from trusted network service providers."

"According to industry statistics, more than 60 percent of corporate data is left unprotected at the edge of the network on PCs," said Bob Brennan, CEO of Connected Corporation. "This EMC Proven Solution offers customers an efficient, automated and affordable way to protect critical information on desktop and laptop PCs. We've worked collaboratively with EMC for years, and we're excited about the unique opportunity this solution provides."

The EMC Proven Solution for PC backup is available worldwide today. EMC and Connected are targeting telecommunications firms, cable companies and other large network service providers with this managed service offering.