MSP360 Managed Backup: A Comprehensive Review
MSP360 Managed Backup is a robust solution designed to centrally manage and control backups across multiple computers. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including local and online backup, file-based and image-based backups, and disaster recovery capabilities, all accessible through a user-friendly online console. While its per-computer pricing structure might make it a bit pricey for individual users or families, its extensive features and management capabilities make it an attractive option for small businesses and those responsible for managing multiple systems.
Key Features and Functionality
Centralized Management Console
The heart of MSP360 Managed Backup lies in its online management console. This console provides a single pane of glass for monitoring and managing all connected machines, simplifying the backup process. From the console, users can initiate backups, restore data, track backup status, and configure various settings for individual machines or groups of machines. The console is designed to be efficient and feature-rich, although new users might require some time to adapt to its layout and functionality.
Backup Options
MSP360 Managed Backup offers a range of backup options to suit different needs. It supports both file-based and image-based backups. File-based backups allow users to select specific files and folders to protect, providing granular control over the backup process. Image-based backups, on the other hand, create a complete snapshot of an entire system, including the operating system, applications, and data. This type of backup is ideal for disaster recovery scenarios, allowing users to quickly restore a system to its previous state.
Both local and online backup destinations are supported. Local backups can be stored on external hard drives, network-attached storage (NAS) devices, or other local storage media. Online backups can be stored on a variety of cloud storage services.
Disaster Recovery
Disaster recovery is a critical component of any backup strategy, and MSP360 Managed Backup offers robust disaster recovery capabilities. The software includes a WinPE-based boot disc (Linux is also an option) that allows users to boot their systems in the event of a failure. From the boot environment, users can restore image-based backups to recover their entire system, even to dissimilar hardware. This "bare metal recovery" feature eliminates the need to hunt down drivers and reconfigure the system after a restore, simplifying the recovery process.
Storage Options
MSP360 Managed Backup supports a wide range of online storage services, including Wasabi (the default), Amazon AWS S3, Microsoft Azure/Azure VM, Backblaze B2, Google Cloud, and Minio. It also supports S3-compatible services, offering users a variety of affordable storage options. However, it lacks native integration with popular consumer-grade storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive. Users who rely on these services can still use them with MSP360 Managed Backup by mounting them locally using cloud manager software, but this adds an extra layer of complexity.
Remote Management and Monitoring
MSP360 Managed Backup offers remote management and monitoring capabilities, allowing users to remotely install agents, control computers, roll out updates, and set policies for groups of PCs. These features are particularly useful for IT professionals and those responsible for managing multiple systems. The software also provides comprehensive reports and analysis of both the clients and the storage services being used.
Security Features
MSP360 Managed Backup prioritizes security, offering features like object lock (immutability) to prevent unauthorized modification of data. This feature is particularly valuable for protecting against ransomware attacks, as it ensures that backups cannot be encrypted or deleted by malicious actors. The software also supports two-factor authentication (2FA) for online logins, adding an extra layer of security to protect user accounts. While 2FA is enabled by default, users have the option to disable it if they prefer.
Mobile App
MSP360 offers a mobile app for iOS devices. While the app cannot manage backups like the online management console, it provides users with valuable information about the status of their backups. The app is also used for 2FA when logging in online.
Pricing and Value
MSP360 Managed Backup employs a per-computer pricing model, which can be a significant factor in determining its overall value. The MSP360 service itself costs $2.50 per month, or $30 per year, per computer. In addition to the base service fee, users will likely need to factor in the cost of online storage. MSP360 defaults to Wasabi, which costs $6 per month per TB, or $72 per year.
The per-computer pricing structure can make MSP360 Managed Backup a bit pricey for families with multiple computers. For example, a household with five computers backing up to a single 1TB Wasabi account would cost approximately $222 per year. However, for small businesses, the cost might be insignificant compared to the value of the data being protected and the management capabilities offered.
Additional services, such as Connect and RMM, incur additional costs. Connect costs $90 per year, while RMM costs $60 per month.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Centralized management console for easy monitoring and control
- Supports both file-based and image-based backups
- Offers robust disaster recovery capabilities
- Supports a wide range of online storage services
- Provides remote management and monitoring features
- Includes security features like object lock and two-factor authentication
- Offers a mobile app for status monitoring and 2FA
Cons:
- Per-computer pricing can be expensive for families
- Lacks native integration with popular consumer-grade storage services
- The management console can be overwhelming for new users
- Pricing information is not readily available on the MSP360 website
Conclusion
MSP360 Managed Backup is a powerful and feature-rich backup solution that is well-suited for small businesses and those responsible for managing multiple computer systems. Its centralized management console, comprehensive backup options, robust disaster recovery capabilities, and security features make it a valuable tool for protecting critical data. While its per-computer pricing structure might make it a bit expensive for individual users or families, the benefits it offers in terms of management and control make it a worthwhile investment for those who need to back up and monitor multiple PCs.
