Metrofile and IBM team up to offer managed Cloud Backup Service for SA businesses

New Cloud Service to help clients reduce operational risks

Metrofile Records Management, part of the JSE listed Metrofile Holdings Group (JSE:MFL), and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a business agreement to deliver a highly secure, cloud-based data backup service to assist companies to effectively manage and protect their data in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Targeted at smaller and mid-sized South African and African companies, the service, Metrofile Managed Backup, will be offered in early 2013 as a powerful alternative to tape and disk-based backup for clients who demand high levels of security and availability. This is part of the group’s strategy to diversify and to augment revenue streams from the existing customer base.

According to Guy Kimble, Managing Director at Metrofile Records Management, many businesses often cite security as a key inhibitor to cloud computing adoption.

“When customers of the new service connect to the IBM cloud computing resources across Metrofile’s network they will be able to quickly and reliably access a portfolio of data protection and archive options, along with around the clock monitoring and specialist support resources. This is critical for businesses that want the flexibility of the cloud but also need to protect data located in their data centres and wired or wireless computing devices such as tablets, smartphones and personal computers.”

For example, a company using the new service could back up, manage and archive critical business data between its head office and regional offices, as well as ensure their disaster recovery requirements are current and managed automatically. This service would also allow continuous threat detection and mitigation via the unified cloud data protection.

Kimble says the new service will also save companies a significant amount in terms of hardware capex for backup solutions as the infrastructure is included in the service.

“We have married the security and reliability of Metrofile’s data centre and monitoring services with the control and management capabilities of IBM’s enterprise cloud,” said Kimble. “This new service gives companies another way to innovate, create new value, and transform their businesses and industries.”

A key element of the cloud service is IBM SmartCloud Managed Backup (for a video on this please visit www.youtube.com/ibmdatabackup)

“As more organisations realise that cloud can be secure, easily managed, and a key part of their business strategy, cloud will quickly evolve as a tool for innovation rather than just for infrastructure,” said Christopher Lucier, Smart Cloud Resiliency Services IBM Middle East and Africa “We believe this new service from two recognised leaders in cloud computing provides a compelling way for smaller and mid-sized organisations to exploit cloud’s transformational power.”