Backup Solutions With a Difference: Breaking Free from Vendor Lock-in

Over the last decade, IT has experienced a remarkable transformation, largely driven by the widespread adoption of public cloud resources. Businesses have effectively leveraged these cutting-edge cloud solutions to optimise their operations, leading to a substantial reduction in IT overhead expenses by an impressive 30 to 40%. This financial benefit is further enhanced by the newfound flexibility to seamlessly adjust the scale of IT operations as required – highlighting the adaptability that comes with cloud adoption.

However, this transition to cloud has not been without its challenges. It has led to the rise of shadow IT and a surge in software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications.

As a result of this transformation, traditional fixed-cost payment methods are being replaced with subscription-based and pay-as-you-go models. As we navigate these changes, it’s becoming clear that this shift in mindset is not only affecting cloud services but also finding its way into backup solutions.

Traditionally, backup vendors would assess your environment, account for a 10% annual growth rate, and then add another 10% for good measure. For instance, imagine a scenario where you currently possess 100TB of data. Following standard practice, factoring in 10% yearly growth and 10% extra for “just in case” – you’d be committed to 150TB over a three-year term.

While negotiating the cost per terabyte might be a possibility, there’s a risk of both underutilisation and overutilisation, leading to potential challenges and headaches in either scenario. So why pay for resources you don’t have or for contingencies that might arise?

We introduce two groundbreaking technologies that offer limitless scaleability. Alongside that, we’ve developed a commercial model that mimics the flexibility of major hyperscale providers. With this approach, the need to predict your 3-year endpoint diminishes. Instead, you can select a price tier that aligns with your requirements – the greater your commitment, the more advantageous the pricing. Any usage over your plan is charged at a fixed price per terabyte, slightly higher than your commitment but easier to plan for.

Our innovation doesn’t stop there. We continually monitor your commitment by periodically assessing your consumption patterns. If, after 6 months, you are consistently using more than you have committed, we will adjust your commitment to help reduce the cost.

Lastly, we will look at what you are backing up and see if we can reduce it. Often, we encounter instances where Office 365 and SharePoint data are stored unnecessarily, driving up costs. We explore alternatives, seeking more suitable platforms that offer enhanced flexibility and cost efficiency.

The financial aspect is just as dynamic as our solutions. We offer payment terms tailored to your business needs – whether annual, monthly or upfront. Plus, with the peace of mind of having someone else maintain the estate and guarantee the outcome, your teams can concentrate their efforts on other areas.

If you find yourself constrained by rigid backup costs or are intrigued by the possibilities presented by the next-generation data protection landscape, or even if you simply seek guidance for your next steps, we invite you to contact the team here at Harbor.

We are here to free you from the shackles of backup costs and guide you towards a future of unparalleled flexibility and scalability.