BackupAgent will release an update (3.13.2.1) for the Windows backup client next month. In this update we will support the possibility to connect to an Exchange Server running in the domain from a different machine. This feature has been designed to support mailbox level backup of Exchange 2007.

Microsoft’s indecisive behavior regarding MAPI
BackupAgent uses MAPI to extract mailbox-specific data from Exchange information stores. MAPI is Microsoft’s standard for mail traffic between mail clients (read: Outlook) and an Exchange Server. Microsoft is already struggling for years on the subject of allowing third-party access to MAPI for extensibility of Exchange. In Exchange 2007 they attempted to change this, when they published a public webservice API. On the other hand they also still allowed ISV’s to access MAPI, although they provide no official support for backup/restore purposes. As a result of this indecisive behavior it was better for BackupAgent only to support remote access to Exchange 2007 servers for performing mailbox backups. This is related to the limitations we faced when we wanted to support the 64-bits architecture.

How it works
BackupAgent will add a setting to its ‘Folder level backup’ option to access an Exchange 2007 server in the domain. This feature can only be used on 32 bits machines. Here is a screenshot:


To enable the feature, the following prerequisites will apply:

• 32 bits edition of Windows, which does not have a local instance of Exchange Server installed and is part of the domain
• Exchange System Management Tools should be installed
• The OnlineBackupService.exe should run as a user which is Domain Administrator and Exchange Administrator

Two months ago, we announced our new partner program. Together with this program we launched our Partner Portal. After two months statistics show that our partners make good use of this offering; a lot of marketing material and technical whitepapers were downloaded! Apart from up front research, it is always hard to determine if an idea will work in practice, so the first results are really great!


The original idea was simple: to make a central location for all documentation to ease the process of supplying information to partners. This way we can help them gain more knowledge of the BackupAgent product and the ways to offer it to the market. Technical information helps in understanding the usage and possibilities of BackupAgent, this way a partner is more able to implement and support the product that he is selling. Next to that we offer marketing material which a partner can use to promote its online backup service more easily.

Our goal was to offer this in a clear and well structured user environment. I hope we have accomplished this goal with the current Partner Portal. I’m very curious about your opinions and idea’s for improvements. Please mail us your feedback. If you don’t have an account yet, you can get one from our support desk.

Offering an online backup solution is like designing a house. The possibilities are numerous, and the accompanying prices various.

A common mistake is to make decisions for the customer about what solution they need. All is working well, until the customer realizes he cannot retrieve his document as it has been fallen out of the scope of the online backup selection, configured by the (mostly external) administrator who tried to save the customer some expenses in his monthly subscription; expenses the customer would have gladly paid (especially afterwards!) to safeguard that particular data. The other way around is also commonly seen, providers offering their customers a - in the perspective of the customer - huge monthly rate, while some customers only intend to back-up a few financial documents every now and then.

Potential customers need to be informed about the possibilities and their consequences, before an exact and suitable offer can be made. These possibilities contain mainly: the size of their total data, the preferred amount of versions and the backup window. Asking for this information to the customer doesn't make any sense; as with mostly all ICT solutions, the end-user probably hasn't got a clue on what to answer. A translation must be made and this is where the ICT partner can show his true value, for example:

1. Size of their total data:

• Which folders do you want to have backed up?
• Do you want to include your e-mail?
• Which applications should have their data be backed up?

2. Amount of versions:

• How many do you want to keep?
• How long do you want to go back in your file history?
• If this is a long time, is it sufficient to have weekly/monthly backup?

3. The backup window:

• When is the backup allowed to run? Explain that during this time his internet connection is highly used so browsing can be slow.

(Please note that BackupAgent is able to provide a document containing references in speed, data size and duration of backups.)

When these questions have been answered, you can present your potential customer exactly what the benefits and impact on costs would be. The customer is then able to make thought through decisions, like: please increase the amount of versions as we accept the increase in our monthly expense, or: exclude this part of the data as it isn't worth the extra costs. Other conclusions can be made as well, like if the current internet connection is sufficient to satisfy the objectives and needs to be improved.

All customers prefer to hear this in advance, instead of being unpleasantly surprised and disappointed afterwards, especially if they need to make extra changes and costs.

After all it is all about managing customer expectation!

For the second year in a row, BackupAgent is nominated by CRN-magazine for the Channel Awards 2008. And again in the – for us most meaningful – category ‘Outstanding product of the year’ (auto translated mirror). We are truly grateful for the support we’ve got from all parties nominating us and we wish to thank them for it.

I think this is the award for us for continuously trying to improve the partner-relation we have with our customers; on both technical and commercial level. This cooperative partnership has lead to better software, better commercial support and successful partners. Last year we had to be content with the runner up position behind VMWare, hopefully we can gain the highest position this year (something I find fairly conceivable, considering the improvements we’ve made since last year.)

The CRN Channel Awards show will take place on November 12th at the ‘Wintertuin’ (winter garden conservatory) of NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in Amsterdam.

To achieve the Outstanding product award, we have to count on your support. Therefore we ask everybody to vote for us. The voting process has already started, so please visit the voting page (auto translated mirror) and give us your vote!

Thanks for nominating us and thanks in advance for voting for us!