airbackup Reviews

The airbackup client is a browser-based application which allows for easy backups. Additionally, administrators may use a centralized console to manage all of the devices in their organization. airbackup’s simple to use in its most basic form, but its most alluring features only surface when administrators use it with MS SQL, MySQL, and Exchange.

Hybrid backup

Basic and Pro customers have only the online backup solution to rely on for their data storage, and that’s more than most SMBs will ever need. Selecting the files is straight-forward. There’s a simple tree structure to use in identifying your files, and there are no thumbnails to ease your file search. Although you won’t be able to render the files within the application, your pre-existing programs will open files alongside airbackup, so you can still have a pretty clear picture of just what it is you’re selecting for backup.

Thanks to the afore-mentioned BackupBoost Technology, it literally takes mere seconds to transfer your data to the airbackup server, that’s how efficient the file compression and deduplication technology is. For those who need a bit more juice to power up their restore, there’s a Local Speedkick feature, but it’s only available to Premium users.

Restore

airbackup is so limitless; it doesn’t even bother to call restored file versions that. You select what to restore and where using the same tree structure as before. For full backup and restore, you need only access the “System State” section in the dashboard.

TeamViewer’s airbackup takes security very seriously, and gone are those days where fraudsters would use its software to carry out their mischievous plans. airbackup, in particular, enjoys an excellent array of security tools business customers can use to protect their data. There’s a triple layer of encryption, consisting of a private encryption code you select at sign up, which is yours to know and keep safe, 256-bit AES encryption on your side before you begin transferring files, and 128-bit SSL encryption for end-to-end data transfer. Your data is stored redundantly.

airbackup will only run on Windows and OS X Yosemite operated computers, and there are currently no mobile apps developed for this service. If your Microsoft Windows platform is Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, in either 32 or 64-bit, it will most likely do for airbackup. Windows Server 2012, 2008, 2008R2 and 2003 will also work. As for Macs, anything with OS X Version 10.6 or above will do. The desktop application takes little over 50MB of space on your hard-drive, and it sends automated reports regularly, depending on your settings. The interface features a very simple tree structure. Files are not rendered, there are no thumbnails, and you can only select them by name, so be sure to check which files need backing up before making your selection.

airbackup is a browser based application. Your password, computer ID and encryption key are generated automatically, and you can either save them to your hard-drive, print or email them. As soon as you’ve registered, you can start using the application. The entire process takes little over a minute. There are currently no mobile apps to support the backup solution, but that’s not necessarily a deal-breaker for SMBs, which are airbackup’s target audience. A shortcut is saved to your desktop to connect you to the server at leisure, and additional features and add-ons can be accessed via the online interface.

At first sight, airbackup’s pricing may startle you, but that’s before you take into account the fact that the service comes with unlimited backup for as many devices, users, computers and servers as you wish. There are three business plans available: the Basic, the Pro, and the Premium. They’re priced at $24, $39, and $89, respectively.

The Business Basic plan comes with 50GB of space for files, folders and network shares that can be expanded at any time to a maximum of 1TB. This will jack up the final monthly bill to ten times more than the original $24, sales tax excluded, but there is a 20% discount for those who opt for an annual subscription. There’s a 30-day retention on this service.

The Business Pro service features twice as much initial and expandable space, and it enables Exchange, MySQL and MSSQL backups as well. The retention interval is twice as long in this case, and extra storage can be added up to a maximum of 2.5TB. The maximum monthly cost for this service is $620, but the 20% discount for annual subscriptions applies in this case, also.

The best airbackup has to offer is its Premium plan, which comes with a standard 250GB of space, expandable up to 5TB. Aside from the savings you enjoy for opting for the Premium plan, there’s also the handy Local Speedkick feature, which secures data centrally online and off; all this with unlimited servers, computers and users.

We should mention that it’s best to select the service that’s right for you from the beginning, or to upgrade as soon as you think you may go over your allocated storage space. airbackup will allow you to exceed your storage space, and send you a notification e-mail, but every extra 25GB will cost you another $15. airbackup accepts bank transfers after the 7-day return period has elapsed, as well as PayPal and credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, JBC and American Express. A PDF invoice is sent for your records, and you may start using the service right away.

The airbackup website’s support section features a document download area where visual step-by-step tutorials are offered alongside manuals for self-sufficient customers to iron out their non-urgent issues with the application. There’s also the FAQ section, with tips on how to set up MS SQL or Microsoft Exchange Server for backup, among many others. Finally, the video section features a range of video tutorials to guide customers through simple setups, file restores, etc.

The service couldn’t be any more straight-forward than this, but should you run into trouble, there’s a ‘Contact Us’ section on the website which directs your emails or phone calls to an airbackup technician via a support ticketing service. With 17 languages to access the website in, and a contact section that automatically picks up your IP, and provides you the best number to call or fax from your country, it’s easy to see how this TeamViewer product manages to maintain an outstanding reputation.

As for its online presence, you’ll be pleased to find that there are Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus accounts maintained by the company to keep customers up-to-date with the latest developments, but they don’t see a tremendous amount of traffic, which for business users is a good sign.