MOHAMEDTALIB - PeerSpot reviewer
Director at NVIT
Real User
Top 10
Desktop backup exceptional, but customer service and performance needs improvement
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is exceptional for desktop backup."
  • "The backing up of virtual machines in VMware and Nutanix needs better integration and the performance of the solution needs improvement."

What is most valuable?

The solution is exceptional for desktop backup.

What needs improvement?

The backing up of virtual machines in VMware and Nutanix needs better integration and the performance of the solution needs improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for six years.

How are customer service and support?

Customer support needs improvement.

Buyer's Guide
Acronis Cyber Protect
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Acronis Cyber Protect. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
771,212 professionals have used our research since 2012.

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

The price of the solution is expensive and could be reduced a little.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Acronis Backup a six out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: reseller
PeerSpot user
it_user790503 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Engineer at a manufacturing company with 51-200 employees
Vendor
Allows me to make server-level backups for DR and virtual server backups for file-level restores
Pros and Cons
    • "If there was a wizard that would lead you down a road, when creating a backup, that would probably be better than having to go online or call somebody to actually do a backup. It's not intuitive..."
    • "I can't select a network location. I have to map a drive on the server, and then I have to select the mapped drive in order for it to put the backup out there."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use it for the backups.

    How has it helped my organization?

    The advantages to me are I make two backups. I make a backup of the entire server that goes offsite. That's for disaster recovery. And then I make another copy of just two virtual servers that write on the physical server to a local NAS device. That way, I can do file-level restores.

    Click Here For a Free 30-Day Fully Functional Trial of Acronis Backup v12.5

    What needs improvement?

    I have used it in the past. Not the same software, but the same company, and had success with it, and it was fairly easy to use. This one is much more complicated, but there are a lot more things involved in a backup. I have had issues with this one just in completing backups. Sometimes, for some reason, it has to run several times in order for it to do it completely, so I put in a ticket. We worked through it and it just seemed to solve itself, and neither one of us, neither the technician nor I, knew what it was doing or why it did, it but it fixed itself.

    I also think the fact that it is extremely customizable means that it's really easy to get something wrong, and it not work as intended. So I would say, if there was a wizard that would lead you down a road, when creating a backup, that would probably be better than having to go online or call somebody to actually do a backup. It's not intuitive whenever you're trying to do something. You don't know whether you need to make a plan first or whether you need to make a backup first, it really depends on what you're trying to do and you really can't do that without asking somebody a question.

    The problem that I've had would be more along the lines of it connecting to something else to back it up. For example, I'm currently having a problem with the way, when you have to select a network, I can't select a network location. I have to map a drive on the server, and then I have to select the mapped drive in order for it to put the backup out there.

    I can't say this location is where it needs to go. I actually have to map a drive instead of going, "Just go to this IP address, this shared location, and put it here," I can't do that. It won't take it. I have to actually map a drive and put it in there for it to go, "Okay." If for some reason there's something wrong with that map, then the backup can't go there, even though I can ping the location, I can pull up the location, the software doesn't do that. 

    Or, if it does do that, I don't know how to get it to do that, which I would say would be my complaint with it, the fact that there's not a lot of intuitive ways to be able to do something. In other words, it expects you to have the knowledge of how to operate it in order to set it up. If it's giving you a yes or no question and you don't know what this means, whatever that question is - "Do you want to do this, yes or no?" - if you don't know what "this" means or what "this" does, then I don't know how to answer that question

    The problem is I can't select Help and it says, "Okay, if you're doing this, this is what you need to do. Or, this is for this, so if you want this, select yes. If you want this, select no." There's none of that. There's just me saying, "I don't know what this means." So, then I have to google it, try to figure it out.

    If there was a wizard that would say, 

    - "What are you trying to do?" 

    - "I want to do a backup like this." 

    - "Is it going to be offsite, online, another server?" 

    It would create the configuration by asking questions through the wizard. This is what Microsoft has been doing for decades. That's how their stuff gets set up correctly. If Acronis had one of those - and it might, I just don't know how to get to it, or to start it - for it do the stuff for you, that would be a big thing for me.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    Less than one year.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    No issues as far as it locking up or crashing, just actually getting it to do a backup, and do it correctly.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Any time that you do a backup that's not at the local level, it's online, you're at the mercy of whatever your connection is. If your connection is not good or stable, then you're going to have issues.

    The issue is, when I did an offline backup - I don't know if it was my connection or because of how the software works or how it handles its packets - to upload the initial backup up took something like four days. That's a long time to me.

    After the initial backup is done, when it does its daily backup offsite, it only takes about 20 minutes, 30 minutes. It's normal for it to take longer for the initial backup because you have to put all new information up there. After that you're just changing, it's a just a differential, so that's normal. When I'm doing the backup to the local, after the initial one, it takes about six minutes to do the backup.

    The problem is that to get that initial thing done is painful. After that, the backup works okay.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    I've talked to tech support several times. I would say they're a seven or eight out of 10.

    This is going to sound bad, but this is the way it is in a lot of tech stuff. Whenever I call tech support and talk with somebody, and I can't understand them because of their accent, it's a problem. When I have support from a non native English speaker, it's very hard for me to understand stuff, and when they have to repeat things several times because I'm not sure what they're saying, to me that's a communication issue. If I'm calling the company, and I need support on their product, and I can't understand the person that I'm speaking with, then that's a communication issue that's not on me. That's on the company. 

    It's not just Acronis that is like this, there are a lot of companies that are like this, and I understand why they do it. I'm just saying as an IT professional, it's very frustrating when you have to ask somebody to repeat things several times, or I repeat it and it's not correct, and they repeat it. And, we spend most of our time trying to figure out what each other is saying instead of fixing the problem. 

    To me that's extremely frustrating.

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

    We used the inherent Windows Server Backup in the operating system. And the reason we switched is, the way it's configured, for me to save to a location that's local, it has to take the entire location. In other words, I have to dedicate the entire NAS device to the backup, and it will reformat all of it and take all its space for the backup. 

    I didn't want that. I have a NAS device that has other backup stuff on it that is not part of the server backup. It's archived information, so I couldn't do it that way. So for me to have a backup I would have to do the backups manually every day.

    Click Here For a Free 30-Day Fully Functional Trial of Acronis Backup v12.5

    How was the initial setup?

    You could use training for setup, but if they just made quick tutorial videos, for example, this is how you do a backup, a local backup, and have the video go through and do it. You would watch it. You would be looking at the same screen as you look at if you were doing it yourself. And then somebody would narrate. "This is what you do: you do this, you do this, you do this." Just walk through the steps. It doesn't have to be really detailed. Rather, when you get to an option where there's a question, and it's a yes or no question: "This is where you select this." Just a little video that's two minutes or three minutes long that shows you how to set up a backup. Something as simple as that.

    A lot of people in the tech industry, or people who do this for living, they learn things quicker this way; in other words, show me once, I can do it. 

    You don't need to have it for the lowest common denominator, make it kind of a medium level. Worse case scenario, they just rewind and watch it again. To me, if they did that then you'd have little videos where you see how to do things, how you use the app. Instead of it being written out, it's actually where I can visually see it. Some people learn better reading something, some people learn better doing something, some people learn better watching something, so give them different avenues.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    Yes, we evaluated Norton, which I don't like. Acronis. And then, of course, the Microsoft solution.

    I like Acronis as a company and the backup solution. Like I said, I've used it before, and it was very easy to use. It was a different backup solution than the one I'm currently using, but still made by Acronis. 

    The same thing with Norton, I've had experiences with Norton, and it's a pain. There is always a problem, I have had configuration issues and restore issues using Norton. I don't know if it was that particular situation where it was a problem, but I've use Norton a couple of times and it's always been problematic. Every time I've used Acronis in the past - I've been doing this for 25 years - I haven't had any problems. So my experience in the past taught me to steer away from certain things. I don't use anything that has that word "Norton" on it. Seriously, whether it's antivirus, backup, it doesn't matter. Every time I've ever use any of their products it's always been a pain to get it configured and for it to work properly.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would say it's not a steep learning curve, but there's a learning curve, learning how you want it set up, because of the amount of options that you're given. It's good that you have a lot of different options. It's also bad that you have a lot of different options, because it is really easy for you to be able to make a selection that's not going to optimize your backup solution. So, I would say that as long as you know what you need, and you're familiar with the software, then you should not have many problems, with a little bit of learning/reading about the app before you use it.

    I would say Acronis is about nine out of 10, overall. Some documentation or some wizards that would help you through the process, especially if you're new to the software, would benefit. I'm never going to give anybody a 10, so nine would be a 10, because everything can be improved. I don't believe in a 10.

    Disclosure: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Acronis Cyber Protect
    May 2024
    Learn what your peers think about Acronis Cyber Protect. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
    771,212 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    PeerSpot user
    Infrastructure Expert at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
    Consultant
    True Image should be an industry standard

    Valuable Features:

    I've used Norton Ghost before, but switched to True Image almost 4 years ago and never looked back. True Image has a slew of enterprise and end-user features and the interface is both easy to use and simple to understand. I can schedule backups over the network to my dedicated file server or to local machines, and even restore from the network drives!

    Room for Improvement:

    I can't think of a single one. Maybe it would be better if it was a bit cheaper, but good software is worth every penny.

    Other Advice:

    I exclusively use Acronis True Image for my Windows backup needs, both in the enterprise and at home. I haven't found a better solution that allows me to interact with a server and schedule automated backups over the network.
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    it_user3876 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user3876Database Manager at a tech company with 51-200 employees
    Vendor

    Acronis Backup and Recovery and True Image are two different tools. True Image is used for home computers. It protects your personal computer from hardware and software failure by backing it up. Whereas Acronis Backup and Recovery is a business oriented tool, designed for business purposes. It provides features like Active restore and VSS support.

    Designer Architect Hardware Solutions at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Easy to deploy and suitable for a small organization with little or no knowledge of backup solutions, but should integrate with more platforms
    Pros and Cons
    • "In my opinion, it's the best product for end-users and PCs."
    • "A little bit more integration would be good. It should support broader platforms."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use it for backing up local PCs and other things. We don't use it for Office 365. It is used for simple and basic use cases.

    I am using its latest version.

    How has it helped my organization?

    We use it for some very basic stuff on the local machines. It is mostly used for drive-to-drive copy and file or folder restoration.

    What is most valuable?

    In my opinion, it's the best product for end-users and PCs. 

    What needs improvement?

    A little bit more integration would be good. It should support broader platforms.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using this solution for 10 years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Its stability is okay.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It is scalable, but we have very few people who use this solution. We use it for very basic things. 

    How are customer service and support?

    I have not contacted their technical support.

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

    It is used for something very specific. It is a very small percentage of the whole environment. For the enterprise part of the organization, we are using other solutions, such as Commvault and Veeam.

    How was the initial setup?

    It is straightforward. It has a three-clicks installation. There is nothing special, and it is pretty okay from this perspective.

    What about the implementation team?

    I can do it by myself.

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

    We use the free version that provides very basic functionalities.

    What other advice do I have?

    If you're a small organization with little or no knowledge of the backup solution environment, it'll be okay for you.

    I would rate it a seven out of 10.

    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
    System Admininstrator at a university with 201-500 employees
    Real User
    Protects against malware and includes recovery and software management features
    Pros and Cons
    • "Some of the most valuable features are recovery, protection against malware, and software management. I am happy with the dashboards and user interface."
    • "The new version has anti-malware and software management features, but these features should be enhanced. It is working as an exclusive solution along with the backup and recovery."

    What is our primary use case?

    We have used Acronis Backup for VMware, Nutanix, Hyper-V host, and physical servers.

    We are currently using version 15. The solution is deployed on-premise. We haven't tried to integrate with other solutions.

    What is most valuable?

    Some of the most valuable features are recovery, protection against malware, and software management. I am happy with the dashboards and user interface.

    What needs improvement?

    The new version has anti-malware and software management features, but these features should be enhanced. It is working as an exclusive solution along with the backup and recovery.

    Support could be improved. For complex cases, support should be available quickly and without any delay.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using this solution for more than three years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The solution is stable.

    How are customer service and support?

    Technical support is responsive. In some cases, if it is complex, then it goes to level one of support, and that takes time. It could be faster.

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

    The license is a perpetual license. The cost is an area for improvement.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate this solution 8 out of 10.

    I would recommend this solution. It is suitable for organizations of every size and for any sort of platform, like Nutanix, a hypervisor, VMware, or Hyper-V.

    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
    Technical Presales - Server & Storage at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Good security, user friendly, and simple buying options and deployments
    Pros and Cons
    • "It has simple buying options and deployments. You can buy on-cloud, on-premises, or hybrid solutions. Acronis Backup is very easy to deploy. It also does not consume much hardware. The administrator's tasks are very simple. It is very user friendly, and it also has good security features with low-level encryption and data encryption."
    • "They can include something called a backup appliance. Although Acronis is a software-driven company, it would be good for customers to have some kind of backup appliance on top of a lightweight operating system. This will also reduce the cost. Currently, the customers have to buy the hardware in addition to the operating system, which increases the overhead in terms of procurement."

    What is most valuable?

    It has simple buying options and deployments. You can buy on-cloud, on-premises, or hybrid solutions. Acronis Backup is very easy to deploy. It also does not consume much hardware. The administrator's tasks are very simple. 

    It is very user friendly, and it also has good security features with low-level encryption and data encryption.

    What needs improvement?

    They can include something called a backup appliance. Although Acronis is a software-driven company, it would be good for customers to have some kind of backup appliance on top of a lightweight operating system. This will also reduce the cost. Currently, the customers have to buy the hardware in addition to the operating system, which increases the overhead in terms of procurement.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have started selling Acronis solutions six or seven months ago. 

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It is stable and scalable. We have not had any complaints from the customers.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I am yet to explore it in terms of scalability in the enterprise environment. It is mostly being used in small companies.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    I have not yet contacted them.

    How was the initial setup?

    It is quite simple to deploy. I have my own team for its maintenance. There are four or five qualified engineers.

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

    It is very cost-effective for the SMB segment, especially for start-ups and smaller environments. It is cost-effective for on-premises and on-cloud deployments in such environments.

    What other advice do I have?

    We have recently started to sell Acronis solutions. We have been helping customers to understand what Acronis is all about. We give demos to our customers, and customers are quite happy with the demo and cost of Acronis. Overall, it is a good product. 

    I would recommend this solution for smaller environments. It is mostly being used in small companies. Enterprise customers also usually use it for small projects. I haven't explored it for customers with a really big environment. For big enterprise customers, there are other solutions, like Veritas NetBackup, that provide scalability and support for big infrastructures. 

    I would rate Acronis Backup an eight out of ten. 

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
    PeerSpot user
    Vendor
    My data is safely stored away from my company in case of any disaster.

    What is most valuable?

    Backup is the most important, i.e. backing up my data.

    How has it helped my organization?

    It gives us peace of mind, knowing that my data is safely stored away from my company in case of any disaster.

    What needs improvement?

    It works pretty good as it is.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    We have never experienced stability issues.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Scalability is impressive, it should take care of us far into the future.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    I would give the technical support a 10/10 rating. They were incredible, responded promptly and made sure every issue was resolved before we terminated the call.

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

    We have just used local backups and not cloud backups, in the past.

    How was the initial setup?

    The setup was fairly straightforward. It's a little bit beyond a casual user, some technical expertise was required, but it went fine.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I did not. This product was recommended to me. I tried it and investigated it. I found that it suited our needs at a reasonable cost.

    What other advice do I have?

    It depends on what you're going to use it for.

    This solution fulfills all of our needs. Its reporting features work flawlessly and it does everything that it's supposed to do once it's setup, without maintenance or any additional time. It just works.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Georgi Dukov - PeerSpot reviewer
    Head of Security Solutions department at TechnoLogica EAD
    Real User
    Functionally rich automatic backup solution with testing
    Pros and Cons
    • "Acronis has a very rich functionality."
    • "I believe that the next release should be easier to configure as this one is difficult to configure even the easiest of tasks."

    What is our primary use case?

    Our organization is the regional seller for Acronis. Our customers are looking to backup part of their infrastructure (virtual servers) and database.

    What is most valuable?

    Acronis has a very rich functionality.

    What needs improvement?

    I believe that the next release should be easier to configure as this one is difficult to configure even the easiest of tasks.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with this solution for a little over one year.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    it has been very stable over the past year. We have not seen any issues and it is very easy to test backups.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Our customers are impressed with the scalability and richness of the different functions. We have only used twenty to thirty percent of what could be used.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup was straightforward and had clear, well defined infrastructure virtualization. For our most recent project, we were allotted three months for the setup and were able to complete it in one.

    What other advice do I have?

    If you are looking for specific functions and/or automatic backup with testing, definitely look into Acronis. 

    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
    Download our free Acronis Cyber Protect Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: May 2024
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Acronis Cyber Protect Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.