Acronis, Symantec Face Off In Imaging

Apptech, A Solution Provider Based In Tacoma, Wash., Has Specialized In Network And Software Services Since 1988. Apptech Is A Microsoft Certified Partner And A Symantec Enterprise Solution Provider. The Products Were Tested And Reviewed By Apptech Ceo Darrel Bowman; Debi Block, Certified In Security+ And Nsa; And John Grier, CCNA And CCAI.

Backing up and archiving data is quickly becoming an important element of best security practices. After all, when a breach occurs or data is corrupted via a malicious attack, properly backed-up data can prove to be a lifesaver. With that in mind, the staff here at Apptech looked at two of the industry's leading imaging products, Symantec LiveState Recovery Advanced Server 3.0 and Acronis True Image 8.0 Enterprise Server for Windows.

We reviewed the software side by side on identical servers running Windows 2003 Enterprise Server. Our test servers were Tyan Tigers running dual Intel Xeon 2.66GHz processors with two 120-Gbyte hard drives. We evaluated each product for ease of installation, feature set, intuitive interface design, product documentation, bare metal restoration capabilities and support requirements.

For both product reviews, we made backup images and stored them on separate drives, then removed the server's primary drive, simulating a complete data loss. We then performed a restore to a new hard drive. In each case, we were able to restore all of our data and be back online with a new drive in minutes.

We also tested remote restoration of single files and folders quickly and easily. We were divided on which process we liked better and decided it was more of a personal preference.

Symantec LiveState Recovery and Acronis True Image each performed as advertised. The installation of each was straightforward. We liked all of the features but, with the addition of LiveState Recovery Manager, Symantec took the lead for enterprise management capability. LiveState Recovery Manager, however, is a separate product requiring additional purchase and licensing. Remote recovery functions also require the installation of PC Anywhere. Therefore, in our view, Acronis took the lead in licensing.

Acronis True Image 8.0 has a user-friendly graphical user interface that is easily mastered. The online documentation and PDF files were well- written and concise. The software has a management console that can manage remote machine backups by connecting to the machine and installing various components from the server to the host, as long as the host has Acronis True Image Agent installed. This all-in-one bundle for remote management is a plus.

Symantec LiveState Recovery 3.0 has a more complex interface but also was mastered quickly by our engineers. This feature-rich backup recovery application is positioned well to integrate into the overall Symantec security and enterprise management offering. The ability to do full or incremental backups is simple to understand and implement. The documentation was easy and necessary to read. We liked the ability to mount the backup image and browse it as a read-only file source. Remote recovery was easy and straightforward but a little awkward as we were using PC Anywhere, which added another layer of software to install, maintain, license and manage.

Pricing for Acronis True Image 8.0 Enterprise Server for Windows is $999; for Symantec LiveState Recovery Advanced Server 3.0 the MSRP is $1,193.95. We liked the Symantec product for its scalability and the Acronis product for its features. This is truly a toss-up. The price difference is not that significant.

Acronis' partner program has multiple levels from retail (online and boxed) to distribution. Symantec's channel partner program offers six specific categories. Reseller margins for both products depend on the level of partnership and can range from 10 percent to 50 percent for Acronis True Image and 25 percent to 30 percent or more depending upon spifs and promotions for Symantec LiveState Recovery. We gave the edge here to Symantec.

Acronis offers sales and marketing support by providing collateral, online assistance, public relations help and an FTP site. In addition, there are online sales training options available. Symantec offers sales and marketing support through its PartnerNet online partner portal and PartnerPromos online marketing tool, which provides Symantec partners access to ongoing promotions, special incentives, rebate offers and preapproved collateral materials.

Symantec also offers PartnerMarketing, which is a section of PartnerPromos, enabling partners to develop co-branded direct mail and e-mail campaigns. Members of the Symantec Partner Program also get access to PartnerLeads, and Symantec offers Web-based sales training to all partners via PartnerNet. In addition, instructor-led training, online virtual classroom training, on-demand Web-based tutorials and technology-based CDs are available.

In the end, we felt this was an excellent matchup between two very impressive backup and recovery applications. However, for its ability to support a large enterprise, we felt Symantec's LiveState Recovery Server was the clear choice not just on technical merits and feature-richness but for the whole package. Technical support, training, years in business and depth of experience do make a difference.

Symantec should take notice, though: Acronis True Image 8.0 Enterprise Server for Windows is a product that has upped the competitive ante.