What is the Difference Between your Products?
Remote Backup Systems offers several similar products and services. This document will help you choose the one that is right for you.
The Products
RBackup is our powerful enterprise-level business software designed to back up Windows Servers and Workstations. It backs up MS Exchange at the brick level, SQL Server, System State, Active Directory, Sharepoint, and all locked files including Outlook .PST files.
All versions of RBackup include full support for all Microsoft servers, including unlimited Exchange mailboxes and locked file support. There is no additional charge, and there are no mandatory ongoing fees for using the software. Pricing is simple, one-time, and all-inclusive.
Mercury backs up Windows and Mac Workstations and Laptops. It includes the Remote Security Suite. It will not back up Windows servers. Mercury is designed to compete with the cheap $5/month services like Mozy® and Carbonite®, and has a similar feature set. Mercury is used for backing up personal computers and laptops, and not business computers.
If you need to back up Windows Servers, choose RBackup. If you want to offer personal backups for laptops and Macs, choose Mercury. Many Service Providers use both.
RBackup
Most Online Backup Service Providers buy RBackup. It can be self-hosted much less expensively than Mercury. The most common way we sell RBackup is as an outright software purchase on a perpetual license – the way most software is sold. So, you would purchase the software from RBS, install the Server module on your own computer, then distribute the Client module to your customers.
The Client module automatically compresses and encrypts your customers’ data and transmits it to your Server module, where it is stored in its encrypted state. A complete list of features for all editions is here.
RBackup is our most popular product. It is used by thousands of Service Providers in more than 64 countries, and millions of end users to service Windows computers in business and personal environments. Here is a complete price list.
All versions of RBackup come with at least one year of Basic Support. The higher client-count versions include more Support, extra PlugIns, and services like free installation. You can renew your Support after the first year. Support prices and options are here.
RBackup can be enhanced with a variety of PlugIns and services. It can be fully integrated with your web site for automated credit card billing and order processing. All versions of RBackup can be fully branded and customized using a built-in branding utility that comes with the software.
Mercury
Most Service Providers offer Mercury Online Backup Services using our Virtual Hosting service because it is much cheaper than buying a Mercury Server. Mercury Servers can be purchased on a perpetual software license, leased, or “rented” on a per-client basis. Prices for purchasing a Mercury Server start at about $50,000. Here is technical information on Mercury.
Virtual Hosting
RBS offers Virtual Hosting for both RBackup and Mercury. Under our VH plans, RBS hosts the Server in our data center in Memphis. You can access and manage your client accounts through a web-based administrative portal. The Administrative Portal gives you a limited set of features compared to the self-hosted model, where you have access to the complete feature set.
With all Virtual Hosting accounts, your Client software can be customized and branded with your company and product names, and your icons and graphics. Branding service is included in the startup fee.
Virtual Hosting costs $500 to start up an account, then $1.50 per month for each client, and a per-gigabyte fee that ranges from $1.50 per gig down to $0.40 per gig (for RBackup accounts) and $0.40 per gig down to $0.24 per gig (for Mercury accounts).
With Virtual Hosting accounts, you can charge your clients whatever prices you like, and pay RBS via pre-authorized credit card charge in arrears on the 15th of each month.
All Virtual Hosting accounts come with customizable web sites. Here is a price list. Here is more information on Virtual Hosting.
Mercury Affiliate Accounts
The Mercury Online Backup Service can also be sold through the Mercury Affiliate Program. This is a very low-cost program designed for professional Internet affiliates and for Service Providers who need a quick and cheap Mac solution or who want to offer the Remote Security Suite.
Affiliate Accounts are priced at one-time fees of $49 to $349 depending on features. Affiliate account Client software cannot be branded, although the Client portal can, to a small extent. All Affiliate Accounts come with customizable websites.
With Mercury Affiliate Accounts all customers are charged directly by RBS. On the 1st and 15th of every month we pay you a percentage of what we collect from your clients. With the higher-priced Affiliate Accounts you can control what price is charged to your customers, within a specified range.
The Mercury Affiliate Program is a single-level program that pays you a percentage of the gross billing of your affiliates in addition to your own earnings.
Here is complete information on Mercury Affiliate Accounts.
How does RBS compare with other companies?
RBS is the oldest and most mature company in the space. Our Service Providers are the most successful, and our pricing is the most affordable. Our CEO, Rob Cosgrove, founded the Online Backup industry in 1987 and actually wrote the book that defined it. If you are comparing RBS to other companies, please contact us and request a link to our Company and Product Comparison Page.