Data backup, disaster recovery and data migration solutions specialist Paragon Software Group (PSG) announced the release of Backup & Recovery 2014 Free, the latest edition of its free software solution.
The platform offers Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) support, and older versions back to Windows XP SP2 and Windows 2000 SP4 are still supported. There is also complete UEFI support and support for Windows Storage Spaces.
Backup & Recovery 2014 Free runs on a schedule so that files are regularly backed up, and provides the option of saving space and time by only backing up data that has changed. This year’s edition also features WinPE in Recovery Media Builder.
Major features of the platform include the ability to restore entire hard disks, separate partitions or specified files and folders from pVHD (available under both WinPE and the Linux-based recovery media) and the ability to restore contents of a 512-byte hard disk to a 4K hard disk with no additional actions by the user.
Backups can be made to a hard disk, to the network or an optical drive, such as a CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc.
The company highlighted the Backup Capsule feature, which it said could be especially useful on notebook computers as it stores backups in a separate and hidden partition of the hard disk, where it cannot be accidentally accessed or deleted.
Other features include backup changes since the full or the latest incremental image. This means several incremental chains may be based on one full image, provided each contains the changed data for a particular backup object or objects.
For more advanced functionality, Paragon offers commercial versions such as the Hard Disk Manager 14 Suite, which offers a broader range of disk management tools and can be downloaded from the company’s Website for $49.95.
In April, the company announced a go-to-market initiative designed to fuel stronger revenues for Paragon channel partners, expedite sales cycles, and deliver new enablement and demand generation services to value-added resellers (VARs), direct marketing resellers (DMRs), integrators and managed service providers (MSPs).
The Pure Channel program features a profit strategy grounded in what the company calls Paragon Opportunity Protection (POP), which offers 30 percent guaranteed margin protection to partners on their registered opportunities.
Resellers and MSPs will be able to opt into two Pure Channel partner levels, including Pure Platinum and Pure Gold.
All Paragon partners are able to take advantage of 30 percent margin protection through their POP registrations, but those who choose to be Marketing Partners will also receive additional go-to-market enhancements such as leads, spiffs, market development fund accruals and dedicated technical support managers.