Novosoft Signs Distribution Agreement with Nexway, Bringing the Leading Backup Solution to the Western Europe Region

Novosoft today announced that it has signed an agreement with the leading European software distributor, Nexway. The partnership will increase the availability of Novosoft's flagship product Handy Backup in Western Europe.

Alliance, Ohio, January 19, 2010 – Novosoft, an international software development and IT-consulting company, has teamed up with Nexway, the leading European software and video games distributor, to make their flagship product Handy Backup™ available for purchase through Nexway's network of partner e-commerce, boutiques and on-line portals.

"We are happy to partner with Nexway and support it as the leading digital content distribution platform in Europe," said Nataly Sigaeva, head of Novosoft Marketing Department. "Handy Backup already has a strong position in the United States, and the partnership with Nexway will enable us to grow the product's availability and expand market share in Europe."

Under the terms of the agreement, Nexway will facilitate the promotion and sales of Novosoft's family of backup solutions Handy Backup, increasing options for customers, lowering barriers and expanding the software's presence in the home and small business market.

About Novosoft

Established in 1992, Novosoft develops and markets a wide range of software solutions for individual PC users and small businesses with Windows-based IT infrastructures. Novosoft's flagship Handy Backup is an award-winning backup solution that allows creating scheduled backups of information stored on workstations and servers, including Exchange servers, SQL servers, databases of different types and much more. Prices of the software range from $39 for Standard edition to $599 for an enterprise backup edition called Handy Backup Server. For more information, please refer to the product website at http://www.handybackup.net

About Nexway

Nexway is a leading player in the digital e-commerce sector and a strategic partner of worldwide digital content publishers and international e-commerce portals. It has teams in 12 countries and distributes high-quality, cutting-edge software in more than 50 countries around the globe. In 2008, Nexway reached the million download milestone, ranked in the Top 10 of Deloitte Technology's 2008 Fast 50, and in the Top 100 of EMEA's Fast 500 of the fastest growing technology companies. To learn more, please visit http://www.nexway.com

Contact
Alexander Rassokhin
Novosoft
Phone: +7 (383) 330-34-69
E-mail: pr@novosoft.net

Novosoft Releases Handy Backup 6.5 to Deliver Effective Backup Solution for Large Enterprises

Novosoft releases a new version of a popular data backup utility Handy Backup, now with differential backup capability.

Alliance, Ohio, January 13, 2010 – Novosoft, one of the leading providers of backup solutions for Windows computers and Windows Server-based networks, today announced the release of a new version of their flagship product Handy Backup. Handy Backup 6.5 features a powerful differential backup engine and multiple improvements in data indexing algorithms, optimized for use with large amounts of data.

"It wasn't until we built the first beta that we realized what a powerful tool for enterprise backup Handy Backup becomes," said Alexander Prichalov, head of Novosoft development department. "Now, instead of backing up many gigabytes of databases and mail servers each day, companies can greatly optimize data protection by making differential backups and save up to 90% of the cost of data storage."

Differential backup is a technology based on binary comparison of data with existing backup, where only new files and changes on modified files are processed. It greatly saves time and drive space required to store backups and enables enterprises to achieve near continuous protection of business data at minimal costs.

"Business data retention policies require backups to be regular and automatic," said Mr. Prichalov. "We are excited to come up with an effective solution and strengthen Handy Backup's positions among professional backup software."

About Handy Backup

Handy Backup is a family of data backup and disaster recovery software for computers working under Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000 and 2008/2003/2000 Server operating systems. It is available in two editions for home PCs, called Handy Backup Standard and Handy Backup Professional, and two editions for corporate backup, called Handy Backup Full and Handy Backup Server.

Handy Backup Full costs $199 and lets enterprises back up MS SQL Servers, MS Exchange Servers, Oracle, DB2, Lotus Notes, ODBC-compatible databases, and other data. Handy Backup Server costs $599 and allows backing up multiple servers on a client-server scheme. Until January 17, 2010 all new customers can purchase Handy Backup Full with 20% discount and receive a free additional license for Handy Backup Professional. To learn more, please refer to the product website at http://www.handybackup.net/order.shtml

Contact
Alexander Rassokhin
Novosoft
Phone: +7 (383) 330-34-69
E-mail: pr@novosoft.net

Novosoft Announces Marketing Strategy for Handy Backup for Android

Novosoft, one of the leading providers of data backup solutions worldwide, today announced the intention to use Handy Backup for Android, their data backup tool for Android-powered phones, to promote Novosoft Remote Backup Service.

Alliance, Ohio, November 17, 2009 – Novosoft, an international IT-consulting and software development company, announced today that the upcoming version Handy Backup for Android will be bundled with Novosoft Remote Backup Service.

"Handy Backup for Android will remain free for all users of Android phones," said Alexander Prichalov, head of Novosoft Development Department. "However, we are planning to add features integrated with third-party services. For example, the upcoming release will support backing up to FTP servers, but it will be available only for customers of our Remote Backup Service."

The strategy of providing free or low cost software with paid options is not new for Novosoft. Handy Backup for PC is marketed in exactly the same way: its core functionality can be extended with paid plug-ins of two types, one for extracting data to back up (files-based, drive-based and database backup plug-ins) and another for controlling storage and processing options.
"We've taken great care to develop the same powerful architecture that we have in a desktop version," said Mr. Prichalov. "Further development of Handy Backup for Android will be focused on creation of plug-ins for data selection and storage, and FTP backup is the first of them. In a short time, we will revise pricing strategy of our Remote Backup Service, and come up with a solution that will be cost-effective for most Android users. The release of the new version is planned for the end of November."

The first beta of Handy Backup for Android was introduced by Novosoft in March, 2009. It was an extension to a desktop version of Handy Backup that allowed users to back up their phones to PC on the client-server model, controlled by PC. In the beginning of November the company released a standalone backup application for Android-based smartphones. At present, it is available on the Android Market and can be downloaded free of charge.

About Novosoft Remote Backup Service

Novosoft Remote Backup Service is a secure data storage system located in an underground shelter in San Diego, California. It is secured from fire, flood, magnetic and electric fields and any other factors that can damage user data, and is accessible 24 hours a day and 365 days a year from any point of the world. To learn more, please refer to http://www.remotedatabackup.net

About Handy Backup for PC

Introduced in 2002, Handy Backup™ is a family of data backup and disaster recovery software for Windows computers and Windows Server-based enterprise networks. Prices of the software range from $39 for Handy Backup Standard to $599 for a full-featured enterprise backup solution Handy Backup Server. To learn more, please refer to the product website at http://www.handybackup.net

Contact
Alexander Rassokhin
Novosoft
Phone: +7 (383) 330-34-69
E-mail: pr@novosoft.net

Novosoft Releases Backup Solution for IBM DB2 Data Servers

Novosoft, an international IT-consulting and software development company, announced the release of a new version of their flagship product Handy Backup, now validated as "Ready for IBM DB2 Data Server"

Alliance, Ohio, October 20, 2009 – Novosoft, one of the leading manufacturers of backup software worldwide, today announced that the new version of their backup utility Handy Backup received the "Ready for IBM DB2 Data Server" technical certification. Now companies that use DB2-based IBM applications to manage e-commerce, CRM and other business solutions are enabled to protect their business at a new level of quality.

"We couldn't be happier to enhance our partnership with IBM by releasing a new backup solution for IBM software" said Natalia Sigaeva, head of Novosoft marketing department. "Handy Backup Server is already used by hundreds of companies worldwide, and we hope that the new functionality will help us further advance into the market of enterprise backup software."

The "Ready for IBM DB2 Data Server" validation program was designed by IBM to help customers differentiate products that have met requirements of reliability, quality and security, established by IBM. The logo is provided after strict quality assessment given by the company's experts and confirms that the software meets explicit specifications of compatibility with DB2 databases and allows business owners to achieve the highest business results.

About Handy Backup

Introduced in 2002, Handy Backup is a family of professional backup software for Windows computers and Windows Server-based corporate networks, consisting of two editions for enterprise backup: Handy Backup Full and Handy Backup Server. Handy Backup Full costs $199 and enables you to back up DB2 databases, IBM Lotus databases, MS Exchange Servers, MS SQL Servers, Oracle databases and other data managed by a local server. Handy Backup Server is a client-server backup solution that allows controlling backups of networked workstations and servers from a single control point. The package includes 5 licenses for remote computers and costs $599.

To learn more about Handy Backup, please refer to the product website at http://www.handybackup.net

About Novosoft

Established in 1992, Novosoft creates and markets a wide range of software products for individual computer users and small- to medium-sized businesses. The company strives to use the most advanced technologies and deliver high quality and cost effective solutions ensuring customers satisfaction and trust. For more information, refer to the corporate website at http://www.novosoft-us.com

Novosoft Partners with Oracle to Deliver Backup Solution for Oracle Databases

Novosoft, an international software development and IT-consulting company, releases backup software for Oracle databases and becomes a certified partner of the Oracle Partner Network.

Alliance, Ohio, September 24, 2009 – Novosoft, one of the leading providers of backup solutions for Windows-based servers, today announced that they partnered with Oracle Corporation (Nasdaq:ORCL), the world's largest enterprise software company, to deliver high-quality backup solution for users of Oracle databases. The main factor that contributed to the partnership was the release of a new version of Novosoft's flagship product Handy Backup, featuring support for backing up Oracle databases.

"We are excited to partner with a recognized world leader in enterprise DBMS development," said Alexander Prichalov, head of Novosoft Product Department. "It proves our competence and expertise in Oracle technologies, and also strengthens Handy Backup's positions to meet growing global market demands for complete enterprise backup systems."

Through the partnership with Oracle, Novosoft has ensured that Handy Backup is compatible with the most popular versions of Oracle databases, including latest releases of Oracle Databases 10g and 11g.

The Oracle Partner Program is a business network of more than 20000 companies that provide customers with leading-edge business solutions based on Oracle software. Partners are able to access Oracle's education, marketing and sales support, and organizations that work with partners can be confident that their IT infrastructures will be built with the best software on the market and deliver the highest business results.

About Handy Backup

Handy Backup is an award-winning data backup and disaster recovery software for Windows Server-based enterprises. It carries multiple certification logos, such as Microsoft's "Works with Windows Server 2008" and "Compatible with Windows 7" and allows automating all backups of corporate data including Oracle databases, Exchange mail servers, and much more.

Handy Backup is available in several editions, prices of editions that support Oracle backup range from $199, for a single PC, to $599 for a client-server backup solution. To learn more about Handy Backup, please refer to the product website at http://www.handybackup.net

Novosoft Becomes Microsoft Gold Partner

Novosoft Becomes Microsoft Gold Partner
Novosoft, an international software development and IT-consulting company, earns Microsoft Gold Partner status.
Alliance, Ohio, September 16, 2009 – Novosoft, one of the leading providers of backup solutions worldwide, today announced that they have achieved the status of Gold Partners with an ISV/Software Solutions Competency in the Microsoft Partnership Program. The main factor that allowed the company to earn the status was certification of their flagship product Handy Backup for the Microsoft's "Works with Windows Server 2008" logo.
"Becoming Microsoft Gold Partner gives us an opportunity to bring even more benefits to our clients," said Vladimir Vaschenko, CEO of Novosoft. "It not only demonstrates our knowledge of Microsoft technologies and our proficiency in high-quality software development, but also provides us with a rich set of resources that will help us further improve our products and deliver better service to our customers."
Microsoft Gold Certified Partners with an ISV competency are considered as being the most experienced companies that have proven their technical competence and expertise at developing professional software solutions. The Partnership Program is aimed to help customers identify the best software vendors on the market and use only the best products that are guaranteed to deliver superior user experience and highest business results.
About Handy Backup
Handy Backup is an award-winning backup solution for desktop and laptop computers working under Windows OS and Windows Server-based enterprise networks. It allows creating scheduled backups of information stored on workstations and servers, including Exchange servers, SQL servers, databases of different types and much more.
Prices of the software range from $39 for Standard edition to $199 for Full edition. Also, there is an enterprise backup edition of the program, Handy Backup Server, which includes 5 licenses for remote workstations and costs $599.
To learn more about Handy Backup, please refer to the product website at http://www.handybackup.net
About Novosoft
Established in 1992, Novosoft develops and markets a wide range of B2C and B2B solutions for individual PC users and small businesses with Windows-based IT infrastructures. The company strives to keep in step with the most advanced technologies and deliver high quality and cost effective software products, ensuring customer satisfaction and trust. For more information, please refer to the corporate website at http://www.novosoft-us.com

Backup Rotation Schedule Basics

Backup rotation schedule is an essential basis of the whole backup strategy especially concerning corporate data backup and recovery used by enterprises. It is widely known that having only one copy of important information is asking for trouble. You have to keep multiple copies and one of them in secure off-site storage. Backup schedule is usually using a combination of partial backups interspersed with full backups to reduce backup time and capacity usage.

Most known and simple partial backup method is differential backup which allows saving all data changes made since last full backup. Due to backup strategy it takes more storage capacity, but is much faster to restore backed up information if it is necessary. Incremental backup is a little bit more complicated method allows backing up changes made since last incremental backup instead of full. This method helps to reduce storage capacities used to keep backup files, but process of backed up data restoration is relatively slow.

Top backup rotation schedules used for tape backup are mostly Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) and Tower of Hanoi. GFS is based on using three sets or generations of tapes. Monthly full backup is grandfather, weekly full backup is father and a son set for partial everyday backups. Grandfather tapes are stored off-site while “younger” generations stay in backup rotation. Tower of Hanoi is based on mathematic puzzle of the same name and provides an ability to increase generations’ depth.

No matter which backup rotation schedule you will select according your corporate data backup strategy. The most important requirement is to have 24/7 access to your backups, though it is provided by every quality remote backup service.

Remote data backup planning issues

Remote data backup requires careful preparation and planning stage before you can be sure that performance will be adequate. Understanding of how much data you need to backup in a typical evening is the first important issue to be considered when planning remote backup strategy. When you know approximate data level to backup daily it’s time to select remote backup service which fits your budget and offering an adequate bandwidth.

Another factor gaining importance for remote data backup is data deduplication or intelligent compression as it also called. Typical remote backup may create many copies of the same file. Data deduplication used to avoid creating redundant information. It only makes one reserve copy of the file and provides pointers to other file iterations. So if you have 100 copies of 1 MB file, ordinary backup will use 100 MB of storage for them, while data deduplication need storage for 1 MB file and references for additional copies. 1 MB instead of 100 MB is a difference which makes reasonable enough to use only data deduplication supporting remote data backup.

The third issue with planning remote data backup strategy is possibility of connection failure. Business impact of link problem must be identified to make plans for minimization negative effects. Temporary connection problems must be corrected by repeat of remote backup attempt several hours later when the connection will return.

See also How to Backup Online