Backupify Eyes Channel For Google Apps Cloud Backup

Solution providers looking to tackle cloud computing are seeking out offerings that help them assure customers that their data isn't going to go missing during an outage or hiccup.

On Monday, Cambridge, Mass.-based Backupify unveiled its first enterprise-focused offering to ensure the backup, archiving and export for enterprises using Google Apps cloud offerings. In addition, Backupify launched its official channel program to arm partners with the ability to ensure Google Apps data doesn't up and vanish.

According to Backupify founder Rob May, Google Apps users can now use the Backupify service to automatically and securely back up all data stored in Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Contact and Sites accounts. May said many Google Apps users are small or midsize businesses without the resources to properly back up Google Apps data to prevent data loss.

Backupify for Google Apps leverages the Amazon S3 secure cloud storage system to offer users independent daily backups, in addition to protection from data loss due to hacking, user error, malicious deletion and other factors, May said. Users can select backups to download to their PC or to be stored on the Web.

Along with launching its first business-class offering, Backupify on Monday unveiled its channel partner program, which is currently in beta and will make the move into general availability come August. The new program offers the ability to sell Google Apps with an independent backup solution layered on top of it.

May said the company is offering three service levels: the Premium Package offers 250 GB of storage and 50 Google Apps accounts for $59.95 per month; the Plus Package offers 100 GB of storage and 25 Google Apps accounts for $29.95 per month; and the Basic Package is 25 GB of storage and 10 Google Apps accounts for $9.95 per month.

When the partner program officially hits in August, May said Backupify also plans to launch a platform for resellers to monitor all of their Google Apps and Backupify accounts in a single interface. May added that Backupify is still rounding out some of the components of its channel program and determining different tiers and margin levels.

Backupify, May said, gives partners additional revenue from sales per time spent while also protecting resellers and their clients from a single point of failure for cloud-based data.

Backupify is also looking to branch out beyond data backup for Google Apps and in the near future will offer services around Microsoft Office Online, Zoho, QuickBooks and more, said May.

"[We're looking at] anything where you have key business data and you don't want to have one point of failure," he said.