Detailed Review of ElephantDrive Online Backup Solution
Detailed Review of ElephantDrive Online Backup Solution
Overview and History
ElephantDrive was setup by a bunch of techies who have a passion about developing first class services and intrigued by the challenges of storing, securing, and protecting massive amounts of data. The company are headquartered in Los Angeles and have worked together for several years designing and deploying online applications. ElephantDrive have 1 free version, a couple of home accounts, 2 business editions and large company options.
Feature Set
Security
Files being moved to and from ElephantDrive servers are protected with 128bit SSL encryption; this is the industry standard. When on their servers your file set is protected with 256 AEG encryption. You can use a personal encryption key to further protect your information.
Backup Features
Open and locked files can be backed up in the business accounts but not in the home editions. Plug-in media can be versions except the Home edition, while network drives can be backed up in the Pro and Pro Plus versions. Backups can be continuous or scheduled, if continuous, then just files that are changed are archived. Backups can be setup to backup by folder or by file type. There is a program called TrunkManager that permits you to copy files directly from your computer to the ElephantDrive using either drag-and-drop or by selecting the items you wish to backup and choose the upload or download buttons. File versioning is setup but the amount of versions allowed depends on the edition used:
home edition gives 3 file versions
home pro edition allows 10 versions
pro edition allows 20 versions
pro plus edition permits unlimited versions
Restore Features
Files can be recovered from either the 'TrunkManager' or the internet. In either case, navigate to the file you want to recover and drag-and-drop the data to your computer. If you wish to retrieve a particular version, then click on the item and pick 'Version History'. Then select the version you wish to retrieve. Restores start almost instantly.
Control and Analysis
All backup jobs can be stopped, paused or resumed at any time by using the desktop client Progress Report. This is also where you will find the error and transfer logs. Speed and internet usage are set by the program, but you can set throttling to on, off or scheduled for specific times.
Interface
The ElephantDrive can be mapped as a local drive letter using the utility installed at the same time as the client software. The web portal provides access to your whole archived file list and you can view and restore different file versions from here. The Pro Plus account provides centralized administration abilities and all versions allow use of Proxy servers.
Device Support
MAC OS X and higher
Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP, 2000
Linux support is on the way
Limitations
Maximum file size: Home - 1Gb; Home Plus - 2Gb; Pro - 2.5Gb; Pro Plus - 5Gb
Maximum Monthly Transfer Limit: Home[,#&#and#} Home Plus - 100Gb; Pro - 1Tb; Pro Plus - 2Tb
Maximum No. of Computers: Home - 1; Home Pro - 4; Pro - 10; Pro Plus - 20
File Sharing and Collaboration
Any file stored on your ElephantDrive can be privately shared by selecting the file in Trunk Explorer and choosing share. Then just fill in the email addresses of the people you want to share the file with and they will get a unique URL to the file. Public File sharing is not supported. There are no collaboration tools within ElephantDrive.
Synchronization
PCs sync to the web site however not directly to other clients.
Web 2.0 Integration
Currently ElephantDrive does not integrate with any online services or social network sites.
Customer Support
Self-help support is very good: Options are a knowledgebase, forum and blog for interaction with other users and ElephantDrive staff. For reference there is a very good FAQ section and the user documentation is very good. There are tutorials, testimonials, demos, webinars and case studies. You may contact ElephantDrive privately: Either by email or by filling in the web form. There is telephone support however only by appointment. We found their customer support extremely helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.
Ease of Use
Both the web portal and the client program are very easy to use. If you know how to use the file explorer in Microsoft Windows, then you can use ElephantDrive. Adding files to archive sets and recovering data is intuitive and easy. setting up ElephantDrive as a virtual drive took a bit of finding however when setup it behaves as any other network drive.
Cost
Initial setup cost: free
Monthly Cost: Home - $4.95/mth; Home Plus - $9.95/mth; Pro - $34.95/mth; Pro Plus - $99.95/mth
Yearly Cost: Home - $49.95/yr; Home Plus - $99.50/yr; Pro - $349.95/yr; Pro Plus - $999.95/yr
Initial allowed storage quota: Home, Home Plus - unlimited; Pro - 1Tb; Pro Plus - 2Tb
Cost of additional storage: - n/a
Cost of additional devices / PCs / users: n/a
E-billing facility: Yes
Conclusion
ElephantDrive is a slick and streamlined backup client. While it is extremely well done and does its job well, it would be ever better to see some online service integration to facilitate alteration of files directly from the web site. At this point ElephantDrive is a solid, effective and reliable Online Backup Solution, but I can't shift the feeling that there is so much more the service could be providing. We would love to see ElephantDrive develop into a fully- developed Online Storage and Collaboration Provider. We will have to wait and see what develops. For the moment, if you want a very reliable, quick and easy Online Backup Solution then ElephantDrive is an perfect choice. Are Online Money Transfer Methods Secure? Dc Universe Online To Be Released January 11, 2011 How I Got Dates Online How to Find The Fastest Doctorate Degrees Online Online Article Authors - Check Your Bio Once, Check it Twice - Make it Sweet, Tight, and Nice Foreign Trade Enterprises The Best Way To Deal With Rmb Appreciation - Appreciation Of The Rmb, Online Advertising Campaign A Few Pointers Distance Learning Doctoral Degree Program - Become known as a "Dr." Through Online Study Online Crisis Management – Unavoidable Situation Earn Money Online with Wordpress Why it is better to watch films online than to buy or rent How To Buy Full Fitted Shoes Online Why Big Mountain Drugs Is your Top Canadian Online Pharmacy