Company background
iDrive is a utility of Pro Softnet Corporation, an ASP and Internet Solutions Provider based in Woodland Hills, CA. From its inception in 1995, Pro Softnet Corp. has been utilizing the power of technology by giving Internet-based solutions and specialized Internet Software solutions for many Fortune 100 companies. Pro Softnet also produce iBackup which is directed squarely at the business arena.
Security Abilities
The online portal is password protected and encoded with 128bit SSL encryption during transfer to and from the data centers. When on the servers your data is encoded with 256bit AES encryption and the function to set a private key.
Physically, the iDrive application is managed at data centers in the United States. The world-class facilities are specially designed with raised floors, HVAC temperature control systems with separate cooling zones and seismically braced racks. They offer the widest range of physical security features, including state-of-the-art smoke detection and fire suppression systems, motion detectors, 24x7 secured access, video camera surveillance and security breach alarms.
Backup Abilities
iDrive backs up your files utilizing block level incrementation so just the sections of the files that are amended get uploaded. Continuous backup is also used to ensure your data is archived 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 media can be included in the backup set. But 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 PCs and there are status notifications and progress indicators to show which files are being backed up and which are still awaiting backup.
Support is provided for as many as thirty versions of every file backed up which is great if you need to revert to an earlier version of a document.
If you have a lot of information to archive, iDrive offers a 'Rapid Serve' option for a one-off fee of $69.95 + Tax. If you sign up for this service, iDrive will dispatch to you an external USB hard drive to plug into your PC. You can then duplicate all your critical data onto the supplied drive and return it back to them. They will upload it to your account, reducing the initial archive time from weeks to just a couple of days.
Restore Abilities
Files can be recovered from the local client by right-clicking on the file or directory you need to restore or from the web site by navigating to the file you need restored and selecting the version you want to restore.
Control and Analysis
There is no CPU controls however there are bandwidth controls. Logging and reporting is available from both the internet site 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 versions and a much more expansive admin portal in the SME edition. Multi-account management is available in the Family and SME versions. All versions utilize the client software.
Device Support
Windows and MAC client computers as well as server PCs are supported as are any internet enabled devices via the internet portal. There are specific apps for iPhone, Blackberry and Android. There is also a plugin for wordpress to let you back up your blog site!
Limitations
The Basic, Pro and Family versions cannot be used for business.
The Basic and Pro editions allow backup of one device; the family version permits upto 5 machines per account and the SME edition permits upto one hundred accounts.
File Sharing and Collaboration
iDrive is an archiving tool, not a collaboration or file sharing service.
Synchronization
Devices are synched with the internet portal but not directly with each other. Synchronization of more than on device is only an option in the Family and business versions.
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 program takes minutes to download and setup. In under 5 minutes you could be starting your initial backup. Both the online and client interfaces are straightforward and with the windows explorer extension installed you are able to right-click on any file and either archive it instantly or append it to the scheduled backup. Restores are just as simple, if there are many versions of a file, then you can pick the version you want via date stamp. There is also a very nifty search ability 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 looking for a straightforward, no frills internet archive tool then iDrive is a good choice. The pricing is good and the family and corp. versions offer useful and appropriate add-on functionality to allow the management of numerous accounts / machines. The interface is simple and uncluttered, the client software does not use many resources and the protection of your information both in transit and when on their servers is equivalent to any bank.
Author Resource:
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