IBM Storage Protect vs. Iperius Backup

Tivoli does well running file-level backups, but Exchange is clunky and restores are really hard. With no SharePoint agent, if you use SharePoint you will need another product like AvePoint DocAve. The web-based GUI console is MUCH improved over earlier versions, but you will still need to be a command-line guru to make Tivoli do everything, and local (node) config files still rule. This product was originally ported from Unix and retains may of its 'nix roots.

Incentivized

Iperius Backup is a very simple and cheap but absolutely effective solution for small infrastructures. You can use it both on Windows clients and servers, it can integrate with ESXi, MySQL, MSSQL, etc. I think the best way to use it is with their cloud space (Iperius Cloud Storage) that allows you to take care effortlessly of your small customers' data. When it comes to more complex infrastructures, I prefer relying on something different (Nakivo Backup and Replication, Promox Backup Server).

Incentivized

• Tight integration with Db2. As an IBM product, it works seamlessly with Db2. You can query what is stored in TSM via Db2 itself. You can also use DB scripts to maintain the items being stored there.
• Like most of its competitors, Tivoli handles deduplication well.
• Provides a GUI for browsing and maintaining items stored there. I rarely use this feature, due to the next item I will post:
• Command-line interface directly from my Db2 database servers.
• Both client and server-side deduplication, compression and encryption are available.
• If the requirements are zLinux and DB2 support then it's the most solid solution.
• Can be complex to implement, but once up and running, it is rock-solid and immensely scalable.
• Scalability is huge. Can be added onto easily.

Incentivized

• Less than 15' to set up
• It has its own cloud storage solution
• It has a monitoring console
• It's very cost effective

Incentivized

• Deployment and configuration is not easy for an unexperienced IBM Spectrum Protect administrator
• Operations center uses a lot of data and needs a lot of storage for larger environments
• Have not seen a redbook about it in the past 10 years

• Lack of clear documentation
• Rsync not supported
• Apparently NFS shares are supported but it's not clear how to use them
• Iperius Console should be improved (it's almost a read-only dashboard and you need too many clicks to get where you want to go)

Incentivized

Not required, company closed. TSM is not used in my current role at my current job.

Incentivized

It is suitable for a huge part of our organisation, supports many operating systems (including Windows, Linux and IBM AIX), supports many databases - also for online backups (like Oracle, Db2 and SAP HANA), has an Operational Center for control, command-line and GUI for backup/restore. It just works well, once setup correctly.

Incentivized

The few times we've called for support we eventually got an answer, but it's IBM and a very big company and getting to a support agent is hard.

Incentivized

We have been using TSM (former ADSM), rebranded Spectrum Protect and now rebranded Storage Protect a long time already. The product served us well. Last time we compared it to competitors we found they all had something lacking. And switching backup suites is no small task if there is data you need to keep 5, 7 or 10 years anyway. Commvault gets close, but doesn't match all features.

Incentivized

The company used several free solutions (e.g. Cobian Backup et al.) but they were outdated and there was no standardization, nor a simple way to monitor all the backup jobs. Iperius had all the key features needed for the task and the project is very much alive (regular new releases).

Incentivized

• It can be used as a disaster recovery solution when you have the right configuration (either replication or tape copies in a safe location). This way it can be a lifesaver for any company.
• It can bring back the information you need if you are hit by ransomeware.
• It is also needed if you are accounting for user error, sometimes people delete the files they need by accident and without a backup solution they are out of luck

Incentivized

• One standard solution for small customers
• One console to monitor backup jobs

Incentivized