Small MSP Backup Solution

Business IT/MSP Talk
1

Hi

I’m a total noob when it comes to this particular area.

What I have is 6 clients, 2 are M365 only, 2 have servers, and 1 of these is Hyper-V with 4 VMs. The other is workstations only, using a managed Nextcloud server for their files.

What I need to backup is:

  • 1 x Physical server (running a medical package with SQL Express)
  • 4 x Windows Server VMs (2 x File Shares - 2 x DCs that will be decommissioned)
  • 2 x Ubuntu VMs (running Nextcloud)
  • 5 x Windows 11 Pro (running very specific applications, SQL Express included)
  • 10 x Windows 11 Pro - Documents only
  • 1 x M365 Client (13 seats) - with Teams/Sharepoint
  • 5 x M365 Clients (25 seats) - Email ONLY

I may also have a need to backup a number of laptops that clients will be purchasing in the next 2 months - but that discussion is yet to be had with them.

I do have about 4 more clients that I am going to be onboarding late this year/early next year, so these counts will likely increase - mainly M365 and about 20 seats. One of these clients is currently GSuite, but they are planning on migrating to M365.

I currently have Cove Data Protection in place, but by god is it expensive - especially with the Commitment fee - so spending $250 per month before I backup anything - not happy with this at all!! Then each machine costs on top of that. The one thing that they have going for them is the ease of use - it is very easy to restore files, servers, etc.

Total data being stored in Cove Data Protection is 2.8TB (small :slight_smile: )

I’m looking for a better option, and so far have looked at:

  • Pulseway
  • MSP360 (with Backblaze B2)
  • Acronis

For me the primary thing is recoverability … and cost!

For the Physical Server and VMs, I do have a large dual drive NAS on each site that is to be used for local backups - but still need a cloud backup.

I’m not overly familiar with Pulseway - it seems OK, they seem to use Kaseya as their MSP backup solution, and from what I’ve read, alot of people complain about support … they are pushy, and I’m not happy about that at all.

I’m less familiar with MSP360, and Backblaze B2, but everyone on here seem to praise it fairly high.

I received a quote from MSP360 for what I have in place, and it comes in at very reasonable costs … and Backblace B2 at $6/TB mean $18 per month for storage.

My questions around it are simple enough:

  1. For the Backblaze B2 storage, I understand that they charge for what would be considered restores (data out from them). Is this correct?
  2. How can I setup a trial MSP solution on MSP360 (for managed backups)?
  3. What way do people perform their backups of servers?
  4. Does this allow for local backups and cloud backups?

I think that’s all I have for them moment.

Thanks in advance

2

We used to use MSP360 prior to merging with CNWR who uses VEEAM. MSP360 works well enough, never had any issues with it. VEEAM works good too and CNWR had a lot of integrations with it as well as having our own storage in our COLO so that is what we are using now.

3

We use a mix of backup solutions depending on the client and price point. What should matter to you is how much labor overhead you have to expend maintaining these systems. The cost of the solution, and cloud storage should be totally pass through to the client. With that said we use MSP360 with backblaze, Crashplan, Veeam, and Synology. Like tom’s company we are considering a co-location NAS for offering lower cost offsite backups. But you must consider your liabilities if there is a breach, your overhead in maintaining these solutions, Marketing and really what the ROI is. Don’t fall in love with the technology, get the right solution to solve the problem and maximize your profitability. If you’re not proftiable there is no point in running a business.

4

Another vouch for Veeam. Very happy with them.

5

Thanks Tom, happy to hear that you never had issues with it, so that’s a +

6

Again, thanks

The main reason for looking at moving from Cove is that the costs are constantly rising, even though there is a “shared pool” for the data, they just seem to charge more and more.
I do pass the costs along to the clients, so every month it goes up a small bit … I do like Cove, and the solution works well - just not overly happy with the pricing structures that they have in place.

I’ll see if I can get in touch with my account manager and negotiate a better deal, but at this stage I still need to find an alternative solution.

I don’t intend growing much past 10-15 clients, as they are all small, and some need more hand holding than others.

Agree with the last comment, I am profitable, but if I can show savings on my end, I can offer some savings onto clients … and they all love that !!