Data Protection Manager 2007 Top Ten Benefits

Here are the ten most valuable benefits that Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2007 can provide to your organization as mentioned in the Microsoft Webiste.

1. Unmatched Exchange, SQL, and SharePoint functionality

   DPM 2007 offers integrated support for advanced Exchange and SQL cluster configurations, shorter SQL backup windows with out the need for compression, as well as advanced SharePoint data protection options.

2. Zero data loss restores for applications

   DPM 2007 enables lossless recovery of Exchange, SQL, and SharePoint servers without the need for constant replication or synchronization by seamlessly integrating a point in time database restore with the existing application logs.

3. Host based Virtual Server backups

   DPM 2007 includes support for host based backup of Windows Virtual Server guests. Using a single host based DPM agent to provide application consistent backups of any and all guests residing on a host. DPM can protect any operating system or application via this mechanism as long as they are running on a Windows host server.

4. Recover files in minutes instead of hours

   A typical file recovery from tape takes hours and can be costly. The typical medium data center may have 10 to 20 or more recoveries per month. DPM enables the same recoveries in minutes, saving money for the business and time for IT administrators. Additionally, faster recovery keeps information workers productive because they spend less downtime waiting for their files to be recovered.

5. Eliminate the backup window of your production servers

   Massive growth in storage capabilities has increased the time needed to back up file servers. At the same time, businesses face the requirement for 24×7 uptime and the fact that there is no good time to perform a backup. Because DPM moves only the byte-level changes of the file servers it backs up, it effectively eliminates the downtime required to back up your file servers. Customers never have to plan for such "backup windows" again.

6. Enable users to perform their own recoveries

   Recovery and backup processes generally involve multiple administrators, each having unique expertise, adding to the data management total cost of ownership. Corporations collectively spend billions of dollars annually on recovering lost data. DPM solves these problems by enabling self-service user recovery, which lets users access and retrieve files directly within Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office XP applications without administrator intervention, thereby lowering administrator costs and increasing productivity.

7. Seamless media integration

   DPM 2007 features seamless integration between disk and tape media, including an intelligent user interface that abstracts the operator from the need to separately manage disk and tape media, an integrated restore experience for both disk and tape, and rich media management functionality.

8. Storage efficiency

   Patented filter technology reduces the volume of full backups by as much as 90 percent in typical organizations, saving disk space and reducing full backup time from hours to minutes. VSS point in time snapshots further reduce the disk volume required, while Express full backup images increase number of available restore points which can be captured.

9. Remove tapes from branch offices and centralize backups at the data center

   Today, the primary way to protect remote servers is for branch office staff to back up data to expensive removable media, such as data tape cartridges, and then manually transport the media to an offsite storage facility. Tape restores within this configuration can be expensive and slow. DPM deploys agents on the remote file servers to send the data back to the central data center where it can be more securely backed up by one IT administrator.

10. Use advanced functionality at low cost

    Because DPM is part of the Windows Server System, it contains tools that are already in your server software, such as Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and Windows Explorer. IT administrators are already familiar with these tools, which reduces training costs. Along with the comprehensive report functionality included with the product, DPM can also upload all of its reports and alerts to the Microsoft Operations Manager console.