1st enterprise cloud backup service for SMEs debuts in Phl

MANILA, Philippines -- A new data backup service dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been launched,  aiming at enabling  SMEs  to compete with large companies.

Called IPC Backup Cloud, the IT service was unveiled during Tuesday's formal signing of the partnership between local internet data center company IP-Converge Data Services Inc. and backup services provider Symantec. IP-Converge is a subsidiary of ePLDT.

Rene Huergas, President of IP-Converge, said IPC Backup Cloud is the country's first and only cloud-based enterprise data backup service powered by Symantec NetBackup. 

He said the latest product allows companies to replicate and safeguard valuable data automatically without having to spend huge capital expenditures on software licenses, servers and storage devices.

"Gone are the days where the big beats the small. Today, it's the fast that beats the slow. What matter's now is how fast you are in the market," Huergas said, citing the competition between an SME and a large enterprise.

According to Luichi Robles, Senior Country Manager of Symantec Philippines, the service will also allow SMEs to implement a business continuity plan in the event of a disaster.

"The ability to quickly recover from a disaster is critical for businesses today. A sound disaster preparedness and business continuity plan combined with technologies such as cloud computing, enable businesses to better prepare and quickly recover from potential disasters," Robles said.

Based on Symantec's 2012 SMB Disaster Preparedness Survey, 34 percent of small and mediums-size businesses globally are adopting public cloud and server virtualization to improve disaster preparedness.

Robles shared that the Philippines ranks as the third country in the world that is most prone and vulnerable to disasters, according to the World Risk Report published by German-based Alliance Development Works in October 2012.

He added that with IPC BackupCloud, data backup is done on a regular basis for a monthly fee based only on the actual amount of data backed up.