Veeam Data Platform Reviews

We use it at our site for our nightly backup and for disaster recovery (DR) replication to another site. So, we use WAN Accelerator. We use scheduled copies to another datastore, and then, of course, we do it for our backups for SQL servers and other servers.

WAN Accelerator helps tremendously with replicating our data because we have a large chunk of data that gets replicated between our two facilities. We're getting ready to purchase Nimble Storage that has Veeam integration, and it is supposed to improve our replication even more.

The SME that helped us with the implementation would probably have more insight because he used it way more than we have. We just use it for making sure that our backups are done daily, and the replications are being performed between sites. We haven't had any issues at all with it other than the fact that there is a slight process to acquire additional licenses if we want to expand our number of hosts. That's because it is based on the number of cores and threads that are used. 

I have been using this solution for three or four years.

So far, it has been pretty steady and stable. I haven't run into any type of issues with it.

It is scalable. What they definitely don't recommend is running it off a virtual machine rather than its own physical machine, but then we have some replication servers that we use for VM. So, the actual Veeam installation is set up on a physical Dell server, and then it is almost like they are sub engines. You would use these other processes to kick off the replication for whatever you want to be replicated to your DR. So, it is not all functioning from a single server. We have like three or four of those forms of replications.

The tech support and the training are pretty good. I sent one of my former employees, who was an intern and also my main Veeam administrator, for the training. He said it was very technical, and there was a lot to digest. He couldn't just do a transfer of knowledge because someone would have to go through that program to get a good understanding of how the solution works. He had gone through a lot of reference documents that came from it, and based on his feedback, it was pretty good.

We used to have Symantec Netbackup, and we replaced it with Veeam. Symantec Netbackup was clunky in terms of the upgrades. The other issue was that you couldn't throttle the replication bandwidth. 

It had the capability of doing a DR replication, but if you fall a couple of versions behind, there was no gradual update. If you fell behind by four versions or something like that, it was a nightmare trying to get it upgraded to the latest version. We had to have a consultant come in who worked with Dell but was intimate with Symantec products. He had to spend a week or two weeks with us to go through that upgrade process. It was more designed for backup to tape, and that was the main function for which we were using it. When we decided to go away from backup to tape and we wanted to do site-to-site replication, we didn't think that it had that inline capability. It was also costly.

From my understanding it was straightforward. A colleague in one of our other facilities was more intimate with the solution. Basically, we bought a physical box. It was a Dell box that had storage on it. It was our main Veeam backup server that handled the replications because it was used to store the backups. So, we didn't back up to tape. We back up to disk, and it replicates to the DR disk. Setting that up wasn't a problem. 

We also had to expand our local backup by using an additional span and then configuring that in order to work with Veeam as well. We didn't have any issues with it. 

In terms of maintenance, we only assign one person who manages it. So, it is a part of his daily tasks. This person looks for success and failure, and, if needed, kicks off a backup that failed. He also does the quarterly review to make sure that it is up to date and addresses any replication issues. 

If you are trying to replace an existing solution, you need to map out how to integrate Veeam while not impacting the current backup. That's what we did. We had to look at how do we continue our Symantec backups while implementing our Veeam. We slowly graduated at it. 

If you are doing any replication with Veeam, you need to determine the tier of the replication to a DR site. We broke out our SAN datastore so that the storage for what we would consider critical backups are done from a different datastore versus the entire SAN. Instead of implementing it first and then trying to change everything around, we did a lot of such pre-work prior to implementing it.

One of the things that Veeam doesn't like is a major change. In such a case, you will lose your data points or restore points. This means that if you've done 14 restore points and you go and make some major change to it, it could break that 12 restore point chain, and now you basically have to start all over again.

I would rate Veeam Backup & Replication a nine out of 10. 

The solution is so good to use. It allows for proof of concept. One can run a test on the database, move backups from one server to another, do file restoration or make use of portal storage features. 

Backup and storage is very fast, reducing what would otherwise take hours to minutes. Veeam was designed for virtual environments. The first year it was involved in supporting VMware virtual environments. 

While I do not recall whether the latest version is 10.0 or 11.0 I do know that it allows one to make a back up repository that is very scalable and simple. This can be added from multiple different levels, in respect of a single disc, through employment of cluster servers, data domain storage, or even tape library. This means the repository is very scalable, as the growth of data in the past years has presented a big problem. Cloud services can be employed as a back up repository. 

While I may not be the user testing each new market product, I am very happy with the solution's scalability. It boasts a support team that is good and fast and can conduct its affairs in a host of languages. When it comes to instances involving support, I can discern the differences over the past two months. Technical support is fast, helpful and provides good advice. 

While we do not consider it to be a big deal, I know there are other users who consider the running of the latest version of VMware vCenter while making use of the virtual environment to be an issue. One must update VMware or Veeam with care because of the compatibility issue involved. Installation and support must be taken into account. 

While strength, complexity and compatibility of the solution may pose issues for others, they do not for me. 

I feel the solution to be user-friendly. 

The monitoring, reporting and dashboard features are also fine. 

I am not aware of implementation issues and I have no concerns about the solution's security or stability. I have even tested the setup and it can be automated. At present, I see no need for an increase as I am not making 100 percent use of the product. 

This said, the limits of Windows integration on servers should be addressed. Many shops use only Linux and do not wish to run the Windows Server policy. As they have people with an understanding of Linux, they do not see the need to employ another person merely for backing up the server. 

Nowadays one can run Microsoft SQL Server on Linux without any problem, perhaps with this same ability being afforded to Windows Server. 

Occasionally, in the course of upgrading one's virtualization platform, the backup can be ruined. I know of people who do downgrade virtualization out of concerns for the success of a data center backup run. For me, personally, this does not present an issue as I am more conservative in how I conduct my administrative functions. 

We have been using Veeam Backup & Replication for three or four years. 

The solution is absolutely stable. 

The solution is absolutely scalable. 

I am absolutely satisfied with technical support. We benefit from it completely. Its multi-lingual character is definitely important. 

We were using IBM Tivoli Storage Manager for 15 years before making use of the solution, although I don't know what the product is called at present, as it replaced a branded IBM Protect product. 

We were using IBM Tivoli Storage Manager at a time when the majority of our data servers were running on physical machines. From IBM's perspective, the licensing has become more involved since virtualization became increasingly prevalent. While it was not in my purview, the prohibitive nature of the product led us to migrate to Veeam software and to procure a different license. 

While IBM Tivoli Storage Manager was considered to be the leading solution of its time, it was also very complicated. 

The installation involves a single package and is pretty simple. This is in comparison to the installation of the DB2 of Tivoli. Now, the installation is done in a single stroke and is so simple and the solution so nice. While we don't really make use of it at the moment, several years ago we constituted one of the main monitors of the virtual environment. 

The installation time is contingent on its scale as it varies based on the size of the environment. Another factor would involve the installation of disparate versions for different machines, such as concerns a proxy repository. A further possibility is to install everything in a single machine in virtual storage. 

I would put the main installation at 20 minutes and add another hour for configurations, such as those involving emails and reports. 

I consider the installation to be fully completed once I can carry out a task. We are talking about one or two hours. This takes into account the different applications for disparate environments in Veeam's environment. 

Overall, we have two people who are responsible for deployment and maintenance as it relates to everything involving the physical backup and virtual environment. 

We purchase a license annually. 

When it comes to the cost, IBM software is significantly more expensive than the solution for our environment, although we are talking about four years ago. 

We have two Veeam servers in two disparate sites.

The solution is not deployed on the cloud. One of the servers is physical and the other virtual, with the support and backup capabilities comprising 50 kilobytes of SSD storage. 

I would recommend the solution to others. 

There are approximately 700 people making use of the solution in our organization. 

I rate Veeam Backup & Replication as a ten out of ten.

I have found the backup call feature very good.

I have found that the reporting could improve in its structure.

In an upcoming release, the remote site application, physical workload, and other application integration could improve.

I have been using the solution for approximately four years.

We have experienced some bugs that we reported to the Veeam team and most of the issues have been resolved. For example, we had an issue recovering a file that was 256 characters long which we were testing out. We resolved it by restoring the whole volume.

We are satisfied with the technical support.

We have also worked with Acronis, Commvault, and Veritas.

The initial setup is very simple.

The price of the solution could improve when comparing it to competitors. The market is very competitive and they should have some discounts or special offers.

We have evaluated Commvault and they have a very fantastic rating compared to Veeam Replication. 

I rate Veeam Backup Replication an eight out of ten.

We use the solution to store the backups in other devices and local servers.

The solution's instant recovery feature is good and allows you to capture and copy individual files. Veeam Data Platform is easy to use.

We do not use all the options the solution provides, and it could be made simpler. Since the solution has many options, it is not easier to give tasks to schedule it.

I have been using Veeam Data Platform for less than one year.

The solution’s initial setup is not difficult.

The solution can be deployed within one day.

I would recommend the solution to other users.

Overall, I rate Veeam Data Platform an eight out of ten.

Most of the features and capabilities we implemented for our clients using the Veeam backup solution revolve around enhancing their backup processes. These include functionalities such as backup encryption, immutable storage, integration with various object cloud storage platforms like AWS Cloud, and ensuring compatibility with multiple object cloud platforms.

The backup and disaster recovery process within the Data Platform is exceptionally user-friendly. Whether you're performing a backup or restoring data, the graphical user interface makes it straightforward. All capabilities can be accessed with ease, thanks to the intuitive design of the interface.

The reliability of the Veeam Data Platform has been consistently satisfactory in our deployments. We have encountered no issues, and all of our clients have expressed satisfaction with its performance.

We are particularly pleased with the DIP, especially given our focus on the Nutanix platform. DIP with Nutanix virtualization has been especially valuable to us.

The inclusion of important functions and capabilities, such as ransomware protection and scanning, was crucial. It's noteworthy that these features are already available in version twelve, which is a significant enhancement.

When utilizing Veeam to manage RTO and RPO objectives, the primary focus lies in minimizing recovery time (RTO) and ensuring effective project or object management. Branches, especially those with high IO and ITO demands, such as those in SANX deployments, prioritize data visibility before backup and archiving. Typically, lower RPOs are managed by the recovery features of the virtualization layer. Our primary aim is usually to achieve the shortest RPO feasible within the specified parameters. However, in our deployments, the shortest configured RPO is based on the specific requirements of our clients.

Managing multiple cloud environments with the Veeam Data Platform is highly effective. The platform offers robust support for major cloud providers like AWS. I've personally tested its integration with AWS and iOS and found it to be extremely straightforward and user-friendly.

Veeam Data Platform offers features specifically designed for ransomware defense. This includes the ability to integrate with immutable repositories, safeguarding your data against ransomware attacks. Additionally, the platform provides integrated anti-malware detection capabilities, and it allows seamless integration with third-party endpoint security solutions to further enhance data security.

I think there's an opportunity for improvement in terms of the supported operating systems for the Veeam Data Platform. Currently, it's limited to the Windows operating system, excluding Linux environments. Expanding its compatibility to include Linux would represent a significant advancement. 

I have been working with it for approximately six years.

I would rate its stability abilities eight out of ten.

Its scalability capabilities are eight out of ten. The maximum supported capacity of the current version of Windows determines the capacity limitations for the Veeam Data Platform, as it is dependent on the operating system. This serves as a constraint for the platform. It is suitable for businesses of varying sizes, including small, medium, and enterprise-level organizations.

I would rate its customer service and support nine out of ten.

Positive

Setting up the system initially is straightforward.

It's quite flexible—you can begin with a single license that supports ten instances and scale up based on your specific requirements. I would rate the pricing six out of ten when compared to other competitors.

Overall, I would rate it eight out of ten.

The solution is used for backup and restore. It can also be used for VM replication.

I like almost everything about the product. Backup and restore features are valuable. They develop everything. If a competitor invents a new feature, the vendor also implements it.

The product must provide better security. It must provide an integration with a tool that has ransomware protection.

I have been using the solution for about ten years.

The tool is rock solid. It is very, very stable.

There are huge systems for which Veeam is not big enough, but we can partition the big environment and install several Veeam instances. The tool scales very well. We face no issues. The product is suitable for the smallest to the biggest enterprises. There is a free community edition that is limited to ten virtual machines. If we buy a license, we can scale up to 1000 instances.

The support is one of the best I have seen. The team has a quick response time and provides quality feedback. The team is proactive. I am really happy with the product.

I have worked with IBM and Data Protector. Veeam is better because it focuses on a single product.

The initial setup is simple. With just a couple of clicks, we can install the product. However, it depends on how complex the environment is. Compared to other products, it is quite straightforward. We mostly deploy the solution on-premises. However, we can get opportunities to implement the cloud version as a service provider or back up an organization’s cloud infrastructure.

The price is not low, but we get value for our money. We don't want a cheap product. We want a good product. The tool is reasonably priced for the quality it provides.

I recommend the solution to others. There is some room for improvement. Overall, I rate the tool a nine out of ten.

Our customers were seeking an affordable monitoring solution. We noticed that traditional options like VMware's Operations Manager are quite expensive, so we found a more budget-friendly alternative. Veeam ONE has proven to be a reliable tool not just for backups but also for general hypervisor management. 

The most valuable feature is the capacity planning aspect of the solution.

There are not enough charts and diagrams available. Other solutions, such as VMware's vRealize, offer a more extensive range of charts and diagrams for monitoring the environment. Enhancing the user experience, particularly in terms of providing more comprehensive chart and diagram options, would be beneficial.

I have been working with it for more than ten years.

It offers good stability capabilities. I would rate it eight out of ten.

I am highly dissatisfied with their customer support approach.  When we face a certain issue, they simply provide a website link and expect us to resolve the problem on our own. If the issue persists, we need to revert to them for further assistance. This process can be time-consuming when dealing with problems. This differs significantly from our experiences with other vendors, like Nutanix. For instance, when we open a support case with Nutanix, they not only provide a dedicated web portal but also offer direct assistance tailored to our company's specific situation. This approach is notably more effective. I would rate it five out of ten.

Neutral

I learned about Veeam ONE before exploring other solutions, and I have found it to be a highly cost-effective option when compared to alternative solutions.

The initial setup was straightforward. I would rate it nine out of ten.

The deployment process took approximately one week because, following the initial setup, we held several technical meetings to fine-tune the configuration to align with the specific requirements of the customer's use case.

It's an extremely cost-effective solution. I would rate it three out of ten.

It is an excellent solution, incredibly user-friendly and manageable. I would highly recommend it based on its robust features and ease of use. The main issue lies in the quality of customer support. I would rate it seven out of ten.

My customers rely on Veeam Backup & Replication primarily to safeguard their systems, secure their workloads, and support hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments. It allows them to back up their data across various cloud platforms and perform cross-platform restoration. For instance, they can back up VMware and restore it on Azure, among other scenarios. In addition to this, they can efficiently back up mainstream applications such as VMware Internet workloads, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Microsoft applications, such as Active Directory, Exchange, and more.

The solution can be deployed on the cloud and on-premise.

One of the standout features of Veeam Backup & Replication is its exceptional restore capability, enabling users to recover their data seamlessly. Another valuable functionality is the automated verification of backup restorations, made possible through the Sure Backup feature. The software boasts numerous other noteworthy features that offer immense value, including the NAS backup feature.

There is room for improvement in the application backups, particularly for Oracle and SaaS systems. Veeam Backup & Replication offers a plugin specifically designed for Oracle and SAP HANA databases. In version twelve, they introduced enhancements that allow deploying the plugin from the backup server. However, manual configuration is still required on each server to schedule the backup and specify the backup repository. Additionally, transitioning from a Windows server to a Linux server requires converting the existing model. Previously, Veeam heavily relied on Windows and Microsoft SQL databases for their solution. Fortunately, in version twelve, they introduced an enhancement by offering the option to use a Postgres SQL database, which is an open-source alternative.

In a future version, it would be highly advantageous for the vendor to introduce a specific feature that addresses an important customer need. Many enterprise customers utilize deduplication appliances for storing their backups, particularly when compliance requirements demand data encryption during transit and at rest. While the current solution offers encryption during transit, there is a limitation when it comes to seamless integration with deduplication appliances. When encryption is enabled, backups are directed to a standard repository. Subsequently, enterprises are compelled to store encrypted backups on a staging repository before transferring them to the deduplication appliance. This approach affects deduplication ratios. Ideally, it would be beneficial for enterprises if there was a way to seamlessly encrypt backups on the staging repository and then move them to the deduplication appliance in their encrypted format without impacting deduplication ratios. Such an integration would greatly benefit enterprise customers.

I have been using Veeam Backup & Replication for approximately five years.

The solution is stable.

I rate the stability of Veeam Backup & Replication an eight out of ten.

Veeam Backup & Replication demonstrates impressive scalability through its modular architecture. By utilizing multiple proxies and repositories, users can effectively distribute the workload and achieve load balancing. This scalability feature allows the solution to adapt and accommodate varying environments. Thus far, there haven't been any encountered scenarios where scaling became a significant challenge.

We are focusing on enterprise customers at this time.

I rate the scalability of Veeam Backup & Replication an eight out of ten.

The support provided by Veeam Backup & Replication is truly exceptional and highly responsive. Whenever I encounter any issues on-site, I can confidently open a support case and reach out to their toll-free number. Their support team promptly connects with me and offers remote assistance almost instantly. While the quality of engineers may vary, Veeam has a commendable escalation process in place. If I encounter any difficulties with an engineer, I have the option to request a change or escalate the issue to a manager, who can assign a higher-tier engineer to provide the necessary support for the solution.

I rate the support from Veeam Backup & Replication a ten out of ten.

The initial setup of Veeam Backup & Replication is simple. However, the difficulty of integrating it with an environment comes down to the type of environment, it details that can take time.

The implementation process for Veeam Backup & Replication involves several essential steps. Firstly, you engage in planning activities such as sizing and designing the solution, ensuring that all three prerequisites are met. Once the planning is complete, you proceed to download the software and initiate the installation and integration process. This includes configuring firewall ports to be open and defining antivirus exclusions to optimize performance. Additionally, you need to manage permissions on the target machines that you intend to back up. These are just a few examples of the tasks involved in the implementation process.

I rate the initial setup of Veeam Backup & Replication an eight out of ten.

Compared to other enterprise solutions, Veeam Backup & Replication generally offers a competitive price point. However, there has been a noticeable and concerning increase in pricing, particularly in the year 2023. The rate of price hikes has been significant, with prices escalating three times during the first quarter of the year. This trend indicates a substantial shift in the pricing structure, which may have implications for customers and their budgeting considerations.

The pricing model of Veeam Backup & Replication differs from other vendors in the industry. While many backup vendors base their pricing on the amount of storage in terabytes, Veeam opts for a server-based pricing approach. This server-based pricing has traditionally been more appealing to end customers, offering a simpler and more straightforward cost structure. However, as Veeam continues to grow and expand, it is encountering challenges in managing costs with this pricing model. From our company's perspective, the terabyte-based pricing model is more convenient and preferable.

There are not any additional costs other than the standard licensing fees.

Veeam Backup & Replication is an excellent choice for those seeking a generic backup solution. It caters to a wide range of requirements and fulfills approximately 80 percent of the market's needs. Customers running VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix workloads, and more can readily utilize Veeam Backup & Replication. However, for those with highly customized or specific workloads, a more tailored solution might be necessary. While Veeam Backup & Replication is versatile and widely applicable, certain niche requirements may call for a specialized backup solution beyond the generic features of Veeam Backup & Replication.

I rate Veeam Backup & Replication an eight out of ten.