OIL & GAS

Innovative Multiplexing Capability Significantly Improves Backup Performance For DAS, NAS and SAN Environments -- Computer Associates International, Inc. (CA) today announced the general availability of BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Windows -- an advanced data protection solution that enables organizations to ensure the integrity and availability of critical business data on Microsoft Windows, NetWare, Linux, UNIX, and MAC OS X servers and clients. Supporting DAS (Direct Attached Storage), NAS (Network Attached Storage) and SAN (Storage Area Network) environments, the new release delivers: -- Sophisticated multiplexing capabilities that significantly increase backup performance by enabling multiple backup jobs to be written to the same tape media simultaneously. Until now, this capability had only been available on more expensive high-end data management platforms. -- Disk-to-disk backup and disk-to-disk-to-tape staging for optimum performance and backup flexibility. -- A Microsoft Exchange premium agent that enables message-level, mailbox- level and database-level backup and restore. -- A new "Pre-Flight Check" feature checks for issues with scheduled backup jobs before the administrator leaves for the night. -- An open files agent with support for VSS software snapshots. -- Complete, transparent data protection for laptop and desktop users. BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 supports the new VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) feature in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and works with VSS-aware applications and services to create ''snap-shot" copies of open volumes and application data sets. This enables safe, transactionally sound backups to be performed without interrupting workflow or compromising the integrity of the backup data. ''CA's release of BrightStor ARCserve Backup provides an easier, less intrusive means for backing up data company-wide," said Mark Young, general manager of the Platform Strategy and Partner Group at Microsoft. ''CA's latest data backup solution will provide companies operating on the Windows platform with an efficient means of securing data and ensuring that business decisions are based on accurate information.'' ''BrightStor ARCserve is easy to install and convenient to use with high levels of automation. Its cross-platform functionality and ability to back up any tape of data are extremely remarkable,'' says Dr. Alex T H Li, Director, Consultation & Professional Service of iCon Business System Ltd. BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Windows seamlessly integrates with BrightStor ARCserve Backup for Laptops & Desktops r11 (formerly BrightStor Mobile Backup), enabling enterprises to apply the same data protection, cost minimization and best practices to their mobile data that they currently apply to their conventional data assets. BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Windows is also tightly integrated with BrightStor storage resource management (SRM) and server replication solutions, and with CA's eTrust security solutions and Unicenter enterprise management solutions, giving customers the unique ability to streamline a wide range of IT administrative processes. The CA Protection Suite, which combines BrightStor ARCserve Backup and eTrust Antivirus technologies, addresses customers' growing need for secure networked storage systems. ''CA's BrightStor ARCserve is well suited to Crown, as we have many offices, but relatively few IT staff. The IT team can monitor whether remote backups have been successful from regional centers or the main, Hong Kong office. And of course, ARCserve's eTrust antivirus engine and data encryption algorithms ensure a secure, clean and reliable back up every time." says Chris Davis-Pipe, Group IT Manager, Crown Worldwide Holdings Ltd. BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Windows also provides: -- A "My First Backup" tutorial that speeds installation and empowers non-technical users to easily set up devices and perform backups for their particular environments. -- More than 30 standard reports and enhanced report writing capabilities for customized reports. -- Support for Windows Storage Server 2003 and additional NAS technologies. -- Support for WORM (write once, read many) devices designed to ensure regulatory compliance. -- Industrial-strength security features, including fully integrated antivirus protection and powerful 168-bit triple DES encryption. -- Localization into seven languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Traditional and Simplified Chinese. ''The volume of data that our customers have to protect has grown beyond what conventional backup techniques can handle,'' said Nigel Turner, CA senior vice president for BrightStor solutions. ''CA is delivering innovative technology in BrightStor ARCserve Backup for Windows that dramatically accelerates backup processes - allowing customers to complete larger backups within existing backup windows. Customers also have total flexibility to go directly to tape, perform disk-to-disk backups, or use a staged disk-to-disk- to-tape strategy." Customers upgrading to BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Windows can take advantage of a specially-priced service offering, available through authorized CA resellers, that provides comprehensive on-site installation, configuration and tuning services utilizing industry best practices supplemented by CA's experience in data backup and restore. BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Windows and BrightStor ARCserve Backup for Laptops & Desktops r11 are available through CA's worldwide network of authorized channel partners. Pricing for BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Windows starts at US$775.00. Pricing for BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11 for Microsoft Small Business Server (with OFA), which includes agents for Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, Open Files and Windows workstations, starts at US$995.00 for the bundle. Pricing for BrightStor ARCserve Backup for Laptops & Desktops starts at US$495.00.