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WD, a subsidiary of data storage specialist Western Digital, announced the launch of SmartWare Pro, a user-friendly software tool designed to give customers the ability to back up their files to any USB external hard drive or the cloud using their personal Dropbox file-sharing and online backup account.
In the event that a file is deleted, lost or a previous version of a file is needed, SmartWare Pro makes it possible to restore and retrieve backed-up data. The software also has backup settings, allowing customers to set up their preferred file backup process. SmartWare Pro users can also back up files located in their Dropbox to an external hard drive.
The “continuous backup” setting sets up an automatic, continuous backup that works in the background so that whenever a user adds or changes a file it is backed up on the external drive. The “scheduled backup” setting allows users to set up a regular pre-programmed backup schedule, including an hourly, daily or monthly setting for backup to their external drive or Dropbox.
Once the software is set up and the drives are connected, SmartWare Pro visually presents the user’s files and folders in a control center where they can manage multiple external hard drives and their Dropbox account. The platform is compatible with WD products such as My Passport and WD Elements portable hard drives, as well as external USB drives from other manufacturers. Additionally, SmartWare Pro works with WD network attached storage drives such as My Book Live, a company release noted.
If a user accidentally deletes an important file or needs to get an earlier version of a file, SmartWare Pro helps the user retrieve the file quickly with the “retrieve interface,” and the software can be configured to save up to 25 older versions of a file. The user also has the ability to navigate the retrieve interface to restore all the backed up files or select a particular file or folder to restore.
SmartWare Pro is available as a free 30-day trial through the company’s online store. After the 30-day trial a standard license, valid for use with up to three computers, is available for a special promotional price of $19.95. A premium license, valid for use with up to ten computers, is available for a price of $39.95. The suggested retail price is $29.95 for the standard license and $49.95 for the premium license.
“The growth of digital content has continued to increase exponentially and our goal is to provide a simple and comprehensive way to ensure peace of mind that all of our content is safely backed up,” Jody Bradshaw, general manager of WD’s consumer storage solutions, said in a statement. “WD SmartWare Pro not only accomplishes secure backup of important photos, videos and files, but ultimately makes it easier to preserve precious digital memories.”