Review of iDrive
Online Backup

Overview and History

iDrive is a utility of Pro Softnet Corporation, an ASP and Internet Solutions Provider based in Woodland Hills, CA. Since its incorporation in 1995, Pro Softnet Corp. has been utilizing the power of technology by offering net-based solutions and niche Web Software solutions for lots Fortune 100 companies. Pro Softnet also offer iBackup which is aimed squarely at the business arena.

Feature Set

Security

The internet portal is password protected and secured with 128bit SSL encryption during transfer to and from their data centers. When on the servers your information is protected with 256bit AES encryption and there is an ability to set a private key.

Physically, the iDrive utility is managed at data centers in the United States. The world-class facilities are specifically designed with raised floors, HVAC temperature control systems with separate cooling zones and seismically braced racks. They give the best range of physical security features, including state-of-the-art smoke detection and fire suppression systems, motion detectors, round-the-clock secured access, video camera surveillance and security breach alarms.

Backup Features

iDrive backs up your data using block level incrementation so just the bits of the files that are amended get uploaded. Continuous backup is also used to ensure your information is backed up as soon as it changes. Additionally, you can schedule backups for specific times if you want. Unusually for online backup solutions, both network drives and removable drives can be included in the backup set. Yet open and locked files cannot be archived on network and removable drives.
Files and folders can be added to the backup set using right-click on windows computers and there are status notifications and progress indicators to let you know which files are being backed up and which are still awaiting backup.

There is support for up to 30 versions of every file backed up which is great if you need to revert to an earlier version of a document.
If you have loads of information to archive, iDrive offers a 'Rapid Serve' option for a one-off charge of just over $70. When you use this service, iDrive will send you an external USB hard drive to plug into your machine. You can then duplicate all your critical files onto the external drive and send it back to them. They then upload it to your account, reducing the first backup time from weeks to just a few days.

Restore Features

Files can be recovered from the local client by right-clicking on the file or directory you want to restore or from the internet portal by navigating to the file you want restored and picking the edition you wish to recover.

Control and Analysis

There is no processor management yet there are bandwidth controls. Logging and reporting is available from both the net portal and the client program. Support for socks and https proxy servers is also provided.

Interface

There is a admin portal in the basic, Pro and family editions and a far more expanded admin portal in the corporate edition. Multi-account management is available in the Family and SME editions. All packages need the client software.

Device Support

Windows and MAC client computers as well as server computers are supported as well as any net enabled devices via the web portal. There are specific applets for iPhone, Blackberry and Android. There is even a plugin for wordpress to enable you to back up your blog site!

Limitations

The Basic, Pro and Family versions cannot be used commercially.
The Basic and Pro versions allow backup of 1 device; the family edition permits upto five machines per account and the corporate version permits upto 100 accounts.

File Sharing and Collaboration

iDrive is an archiving service, not a collaboration or file sharing service.

Synchronization

Devices are synchronized with the internet portal but not directly with each other. Synchronization of more than on device is only an option in the Family and corp. editions.

Web 2.0 Integration

None.

Customer Support

Phone support is available during business hours only. Live Chat and email support are available. Self-help is available via user guides, white papers, data sheets, FAQs, testimonials, case studies and a demo. There is no forum but there is a blog.
There is no free trial but there is a free version which gives 2Gb of storage.

Ease of Use

The client software takes a few moments to download and setup. In under 5 minutes you will be starting your initial backup. Both the internet and client interfaces are easy to use and with the windows explorer extension installed you can right-click on a file and either archive it instantly or add it to the scheduled backup. Restores are just as easy, if there are multiple versions of a file, then you can choose whichever version you want via date stamp. There is also a extremely nifty search function for all backed up files.

Cost

Initial setup cost: free
Monthly Cost: Basic - free; Pro - $4.95/mth; Family - $14.95/mth; SME - from $9.95/mth to $49.95/mth
Yearly Cost: Basic - free; Pro - $49.50/yr; Family - $149.50/yr; SME - from $99.50/yr to $499.50/yr
Initial allowed storage amount: Basic - 2Gb; Pro - 150Gb; Family - 500Gb; SME - from 50Gb to 500Gb+
Cost of additional storage: SME - $0.50/gb/mth
Cost of additional devices / PCs / users: n/a
E-billing facility: Yes

Conclusion

If you are searching for a simple, no frills web-based archive tool then iDrive is a great choice. The cost is good and the family and business editions provide useful and appropriate add-on functions to let the administration of multiple accounts / devices. The interface is simple and crisp, the client software is light on resource usage and the encoding of your information both in transit and when on their servers is as good as any bank.

Need More Information? Visit the author's website for the best online backup solutions and online storage comparisons.