StorageCraft has enhanced its ShadowProtect backup and disaster recovery software with enhanced software designed to help manage, customise and enhance the backup process, ShadowControl ImageManager 5.

Due to be launched in Australia/New Zealand in October, it includes tools and services that allow users to replicate backup images to the cloud, pre-stage backups as virtual machines, consolidate backup image files, and monitor and manage backups created with ShadowProtect.

“Small to midsize businesses (SMBs) don’t often have the resources to manage costly systems that would provide redundancy in their computer environments. ShadowControl ImageManager gives them flexible, reliable tools to make that possible,” said Brandon Nordquist, vice president of product management at StorageCraft.

ShadowControl ImageManager increases control over backup images created with ShadowProtect, which allows the user to more efficiently manage physical, virtual or cloud backups.

New features of ShadowControl ImageManager 5 include:
ShadowStream accelerates the file transfer of backup images up to five times faster than traditional file transfer does. Its technology transports ShadowProtect backup files off-site quickly and reliably by controlling bandwidth capacity.
intelligentFTP enables the user to filter files for replication locally, to the network, or to an off-site location. The user can set parameters for the replication, whether it’s every incremental backup or just backup files that have been verified.
HeadStart Restore reduces the recovery window by proactively constructing the backup image as a virtual machine, allowing the user to restore the system in minutes, saving critical time.

In addition, it provides management tools that allow users to verify and re-verify backup image files over time to make sure they are still intact.

ShadowControl ImageManager 5 also consolidates backup image files and allows the user to set up retention parameters locally and in the cloud, saving valuable storage space both on-site and off-site. Users can set up email notifications to track the status of backup images as well.

It is included free with a ShadowProtect license. Jobs using ShadowStream, intelligentFTP and HeadStart Restore require additional licensing fees, depending on the software the user selects.