Pieter Sadie - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Technology Manager at PAV Telecoms
Real User
A stable and scalable backup solution with superior image restoring capabilities
Pros and Cons
  • "The image backup and image restore features have been very beneficial to us."
  • "They've got an agent to back up Microsoft SQL, to our Office 365, but there is not an agent to back up my SQL databases."

What is our primary use case?

I use the product to protect key servers and workstations. We run mission critical servers where downtime cannot be afforded. Acronis is the only solution I trust to get us back up and running after a major catastrophe.

How has it helped my organization?

It has saved us from certain financial ruin after important servers containing financial data were stolen during a robbery. We were able to restore backups to new hardware and carry on with business as usual.

What is most valuable?

Incremental image backups are the most valuable part of the software. Using this feature we are able to restore to any previous backup. It is more than file backup, it backs up the entire disk, containig operating system, software and data. By restoring an image to a new hard drive, we can run the restore and reboot, and immediately be back in business.

What needs improvement?

Over the years they seem to have changed the interface to be more of a graphical interface and they have omitted the ability to use the interface using a keyboard only. When you are in a data center environment and you don't have a mouse with you, or for some reason the mouse is not working and you need to restore, it is extremely difficult/impossible. 

If you don't have a mouse, there seems to be no way to move between the icons. In the old days it was compulsory to design software interfaces that were compatible with both the keyboard and mouse. You could press 'Alt-R' for restore and 'Alt-B' for backup, or something like that. Those functions have been removed from the product and it's very frustrating.

Another one feature I would like to see added is an agent to back up MySQL databases as well. They've got an agent to back up Microsoft SQL, but there is not an agent to back up MySQL databases.

Buyer's Guide
Acronis Cyber Protect
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Acronis Cyber Protect. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
769,599 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Acronis Backup for more than 20 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Acronis Backup is very stable. I'm using it for critical servers and workstations — it runs really well.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's very easy to add more machines. You can install as many as your license allows.

How are customer service and support?

I would say they're very supportive and really helpful. The guy even came up to our site to help and gave us some assistance and training as well. I can't complain about that at all.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I switched 20 years ago, so whatever I used before Acronis would not be not relevant now.

How was the initial setup?

The TrueImage versions are super easy to install. The initial setup is really easy if you know what you're doing. You just have to download it from the web, run it, and install it. It's very straightforward, there's nothing really difficult about it. The only little technical bit comes with the Cyber Cloud versions where you now have to install a Cyber Cloud console, and then you have to create a backup job and you have to assign the backup job to a computer. For an average person, that would be slightly tricky to do, whereas a reseller or a service provider could easily do that.

Deployment on one machine only takes a few minutes. You literally select the product you're going to install from the cyber console, download the agent, install the agent on the computer, create the backup job, and then link the backup job to the agent. It probably takes about 10 minutes to set up the whole thing.

What about the implementation team?

We do all installations ourselves, but I had to get support from Acronis initially to get up to speed on all the features. They are really professional and gave all assistance where required.

What was our ROI?

Massive peace of mind and the certain knowledge that we can recover from any disaster goes way beyond the cost of the product.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The installation fees are very reasonable and the monthly/annual licensing fees are minimal for the features you get.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I looked at VeeAm, Backup Exec, Solarwinds and Redstor. Veeam requires the installation of SQL even on workstations. In my experience this impacted overall performance of workstations. Backup Exec I found frustrating to administer and Solarwinds, although fantastic for File Backups and Office365, is not ideal for image backups. The bare metal restore (BMR) for Solarwinds is extremely basic and only restores to the first available SATA drive it finds. I accidentally overwrote important data using Solarwinds BMR since it does not warn you or give you an option to choose a destination drive for the restore. And after the BMR the machine did not want to boot, meaning I could not rely on the solution in times of crisis. Redstor is a great product and works well, but it is complicated to get to know and even after a course on it, I still felt a bit lost. Plus it was really expensive compared to Acronis.

What other advice do I have?

Acronis now includes a feature called Cyber Protect, which performs anti-malware scanning and protects everything on your system. It can also check for Microsoft patches and helps you to stay updated and protected. It has a very accurate disk health monitor that could warn you of imminent drive failure. It also protects the integrity of your online backups against ransomware. From start to finish, not only does it protect your hard drive, it protects the integrity of the backups as well.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give this solution a rating of eight. You might require assistance to create backup plans and to link them to backup agents, and also for the fact that it doesn't have the ability work without a mouse. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Other
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: After many years of using the product to provide disaster recovery services to clients, since 2020 we became a full Acronis Partner
PeerSpot user
Engineer at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
A web-based interface that is stable and easy to use, but error messages need to be more clear
Pros and Cons
  • "The web-based interface makes it easy to use."
  • "When an error occurs, the information is not always easy to understand and these messages should be made more clear."

What is our primary use case?

We are a solution provider and Acronis Backup is one of the products that we implement for our clients. We have one management server, 20 servers with agents, and between 15 and 20 workstations that we take regular backups of. All of these backups are stored on tape.

What is most valuable?

The web-based interface makes it easy to use.

The popularity of the product means that many people are familiar with it, which is helpful. For example, the company that supplies our hardware also deals with Acronis.

What needs improvement?

One of my clients is using version 11.7, which I feel has quite a few bugs and is not easy to work with. I always recommend that my clients upgrade to version 12.5. It is much more stable and better than the older version.

When an error occurs, the information is not always easy to understand and these messages should be made more clear. Because our system is not connected to the internet, we cannot use the incorporated links to the knowledge base.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been dealing with Acronis Backup for about six years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We had some problems in the beginning when it came to getting all of our clients running the way we wanted, but once you get it implemented properly, it is quite stable. For the past few years, it has been running without a problem.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Our installation base is not very large, at 20 servers, and 15 to 20 workstations, although I have also worked with the virtual hosts and virtual machines. From what I have seen, the scalability has been very good. The majority of our clients are medium-sized businesses.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have been in touch with technical support and the last time, at least, was very good. We did get put in contact with a very good person who was able to help us. However, I know that my colleague had some problems a few years ago, so it might depend on who you get for support. Also, if you escalate the ticket to level two or level three support then it will be good.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is quite straightforward. My colleague handled the implementation and from what I could see, it was quite fast and there were no issues. On person is suitable for deployment.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before one of my recent clients choose Acronis Backup, I was looking to see if there any other products that were preferable. However, my client ultimately preferred Acronis. 

What other advice do I have?

My advice to anybody who is considering this solution is that they are a well-known product, and you can find a lot of information about it online if you search the knowledge base and forums. There are a lot of people who have a lot of experience with it. In fact, the biggest lesson that I have learned from using it is that if I run into problems then I can find answers by searching the internet.

Acronis Backup is the kind of product that is quite easy to get started with, as it is pretty straightforward. The user interface is easy to understand, except for the trouble we have when it comes to reading the error messages.

I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Acronis Cyber Protect
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Acronis Cyber Protect. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
769,599 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Reseller
Version 12.5 is much more sophisticated than 11.7, more efficient, and protects from ransomware
Pros and Cons
  • "If you need to recover, it's the best recovery software I've ever used and I've been in this business for over 30 years. Plug a disc in and tell it to recover this machine and it's done. You walk away from it and it's done. Reboot it and it's perfect."
  • "This might be a lack of understanding on my part, but it's difficult to purge old backups."

What is most valuable?

Version 11.7 was good, but 12.5 is much more sophisticated. It does a lot of things that 11.7 didn't do, like protecting from ransomware. The structure and the organization of it is better than 11.7. In terms of backups, it works more efficiently. It takes less time to do the backups than 11.7 did, and a whole lot less time. From my perspective, it does what it's supposed to do. It backs up and secures my data.

If you get hit by malware and it says, "I'm gonna crash your machine in five minutes," or something like that, this software finds it out and recovers it right away. It restores your machine automatically to where it was. That's an enormous stride forward.

If you need to recover, it's the best recovery software I've ever used and I've been in this business for over 30 years. Plug a disc in and tell it to recover this machine and it's done. You walk away from it and it's done. Reboot it and it's perfect.

Special for IT Central Station Visitors: Free 30-Day Trial of Acronis Backup 12.5

What needs improvement?

This might be a lack of understanding on my part, but it's difficult to purge old backups.

Also, there's something in it that detects ransomware. But it's detecting a program that runs in the background of my machine that it thinks is ransomware. But it's a printer equipment utility that runs in the background. I copied the link and put it in the "these are okay" section of the software, but it still gives me errors.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is great. All you need is a license and it will handle up to a 1,000 machines.

How are customer service and technical support?

I'm very pleased with it. Support is wonderful, the people are great and they know their stuff. I even had one person supporting me on a Sunday afternoon when he was off work.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

It was a Microsoft backup. The stuff that came with the file server, SPF 2008. It was absolutely awful compared to Acronis. Acronis is dedicated to doing backup.

Special for IT Central Station Visitors: Free 30-Day Trial of Acronis Backup 12.5

How was the initial setup?

Version 11.7 was a pain to install on a workstation, but 12.5 is nothing. You go to a workstation, put the software in, and register the license, then it's done.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
PeerSpot user
ESG at unisoUnisonn
Real User
Top 20
Has an intuitive management console but needs to improve DR process
Pros and Cons
  • "I like Acronis Cyber Protect's backup process and its management console is intuitive."
  • "The product needs to have a simple DR process."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for backup. 

What is most valuable?

I like Acronis Cyber Protect's backup process and its management console is intuitive. 

What needs improvement?

The product needs to have a simple DR process. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for a year. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate Acronis Cyber Protect's stability an eight out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I would rate the tool's scalability an eight out of ten. We have 10 users for Acronis Cyber Protect. 

How was the initial setup?

For Acronis Cyber Protect's installation, you just need to enter a portal. We have five engineers involved in the tool's maintenance. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The tool's subscription costs are monthly. The product's pricing is fair. 

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Acronis Cyber Protect an eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
Flag as inappropriate
PeerSpot user
VanessaNapa - PeerSpot reviewer
Continuity and Security Specialist at Grupo Business IT
Real User
Top 10
Useful backup information but more search flexibility needed
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of Acronis Backup is the data recovery and restoration details."
  • "Acronis Backup can improve the latency when the file size is larger, we have had issues. Additionally, they could allow more flexibility when searching for information and I cannot download the CBIS backup copy information which could be made easier."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Acronis Backup for backups of our data. For example, backups of Office 365 and other data.

Acronis Backup can be deployed on the cloud and on-premise.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Acronis Backup is the data recovery and restoration details.

What needs improvement?

Acronis Backup can improve the latency when the file size is larger, we have had issues. Additionally, they could allow more flexibility when searching for information and I cannot download the CBIS backup copy information which could be made easier.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Acronis Backup for approximately one year.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have eight customers using Acronis Backup and each has approximately 3,000 employees.

How are customer service and support?

The support from Acronis Backup can improve because when I have an issue it sometimes takes them five days to have a solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There are monthly fees to use Acronis Backup.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Acronis Backup a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
RandeepPawar - PeerSpot reviewer
RandeepPawarTechnical Director at Tecstaq
Top 5Real User

Acronis:


Acronis uses a hybrid cloud architecture that allows businesses to back up and recover data across multiple locations.


It supports both physical and virtual environments, including VMware, Hyper-V, and Microsoft Azure.


Acronis provides ransomware protection, which can be a critical feature in today's threat landscape.


It uses blockchain technology to ensure data authenticity and tamper-proof data storage.


Acronis stands out with its hybrid cloud architecture and blockchain technology.

Director at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
MSP
Reasonable price, easy to set up, and backs up everything we want
Pros and Cons
  • "The best thing about it is that we can back up pretty much everything we want to. We don't have to have multiple solutions. It can back up any physical or virtual server, including servers in Azure. It can back up SharePoint, OneDrive, and G Suite. Everything we need to back up can be backed up, and that's why we like it."
  • "It could back up more things. I don't think it can back up Box and some of the other third-party ones. Not that we use them that much, but the more they can do, the better it would be. There could also be better integrations with RMM tools."

What is our primary use case?

We are using it for backing up virtual servers in Azure. We are using it for backing up SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange Online.

What is most valuable?

The best thing about it is that we can back up pretty much everything we want to. We don't have to have multiple solutions. It can back up any physical or virtual server, including servers in Azure. It can back up SharePoint, OneDrive, and G Suite. Everything we need to back up can be backed up, and that's why we like it.

What needs improvement?

It could back up more things. I don't think it can back up Box and some of the other third-party ones. Not that we use them that much, but the more they can do, the better it would be. There could also be better integrations with RMM tools.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using it for about a year.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Most of our tech guys have access to it. We have about 23 engineers who have access to it.

How are customer service and support?

My team has interacted with them, and it has been fine. I don't interact with them myself.

How was the initial setup?

Its setup is very easy. You can do it by yourself. Everything is managed via the cloud, so you don't need to have a server to run it. It is very easy and very good.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

You don't have to pay for licenses. You can pay per gig per month. It is pretty reasonable, especially when you do it per gig.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution. I would rate it a nine out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
General Manager at Comtodo
Reseller
Flexible, scalable, and uncomplicated installation
Pros and Cons
  • "For local backups, it has options to back up almost any storage. The back can be either a shared folder or anything you want, it's pretty flexible."
  • "We have sometimes issues with the child copies and other similar functions, but it's normal with any backup solution. We need to fix those issues first in order for us to be able to do the backup properly."

What is our primary use case?

I use Acronis Backup to make images of the systems, mostly for the servers, but some workstations as well. In some of the systems, we have enabled the disaster recovery option and the SQL Backup.

What is most valuable?

For local backups, it has options to back up almost any storage. The back can be either a shared folder or anything you want, it's pretty flexible.

What needs improvement?

We have sometimes issues with the child copies and other similar functions, but it's normal with any backup solution. We need to fix those issues first in order for us to be able to do the backup properly.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Acronis Backup for one and a half years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We had some difficulties with the child copies but after we fixed them the solution was stable. It does a good job.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. However, any cloud storage is more flexible than an on-premise solution.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support needs some improvement. Although I haven't been requiring any support lately, I do not know how they are now. Initially, I had some issues with the response which was not very good, they were not quick. The support agent was requesting a lot of information that you had to send in order for them to check on the issue, instead of focusing on resolving the issue. It was a hassle.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is not difficult. There is a process of registration that you have to complete. When you install Acronis Backup, you have to do a registration of the endpoint to allow it to register on the portal. For that, you need to have the credentials and login, and sometimes it's a hassle. I understand there's no other way around the registration, it has to be done this way.

What about the implementation team?

After you install Acronis Backup, it has an option to update the agent automatically. After you are done with your first backup you can forget about the solution. It will prompt you if you need to do any maintenance or updates. There is not much maintenance.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing is reasonable. However, it depends on the storage that you use. It would be great to have a package that we can use up to a certain size of the backup, this would allow us to know what the price is going to be up to that capacity. 

There are a lot of options available. There are additional security options you can add, such as malware protection.

What other advice do I have?

It's a good idea to have a backup locally and in the cloud. 

I rate Acronis Backup an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
it_user454233 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator at a educational organization
Video Review
Real User
It was very easy to set up, the reliability has been wonderful

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case for Acronis Backup software is to back up our VMware environment. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this an 8. With our VMware environment it's very tricky to get everything backed up just like you need it. With Acronis software it was very easy to set up, the reliability has been wonderful. On a daily basis I know that the incremental backups are running properly. On the weekends the full backups are running efficiently. Any time I've had to contact support, whether it be a phone call or online chat, it's been very easy to get a hold of someone, and they work with you continually until you resolve whatever issue it is that you're having, and you feel comfortable with the resolution.

What is most valuable?

I would say my favorite feature with Acronis Backup software is creating one job that will backup all of our VM servers. We have about 50 servers and we need to get all of them backed up, and it keeps you from having 50 different backup jobs listed, backup tasks. You create one, and you go in, and you select all of the VMs that you want, or the ones that you don't want, you just leave them unchecked. Then, anytime you add in a new VM server to your environment it's very easy to just go in and add to that new server to the backup job that you already have, you don't have to create anything new, you just add it in, and you're good to go.

What needs improvement?

I don't see very many opportunities for improvement with this product. On a daily basis it's really easy to use and manage. There are some frustrating things. One in particular is when you're looking through your logs from the previous night's jobs and you see a warning, and you go in, and you try to dig through to find what exactly the warning meant, and you can't find anything. Everything is green, there's no yellow, there's no red, and you have no idea. That can be a little bit frustrating. Other than that, it works really well. 

For how long have I used the solution?

Three to five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Acronis Cyber Protect Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Acronis Cyber Protect Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.