At first glance, Google is set to launch a consumer-centric, cloud-based backup service. But take a closer look and the search giant says an "enterprise" class backup service also is on the way.
In a blog, Google says the company's new Backup and Sync service will launch June 28, 2017. The tool, according to the company is:
"intended to help everyday users back up files and photos from their computers, so they’re safe and accessible from anywhere. Backup and Sync is the latest version of Google Drive for Mac/PC, which is now integrated with the Google Photos desktop uploader. As such, it will respect any current Drive for Mac/PC settings in the Admin console."
Essentially, rather than having to store files inside the Drive folder, Google will monitor and backup files inside any folder you choose.
The Enterprise Solution
While Backup and Sync is intended for consumer users, the search giant says it will have an enterprise-focused solution in the near future. In the meantime, it recommends its G Suite customers continue using Drive for Mac/PC.
The enterprise-focused Drive File Stream solution is currently in Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) and will be rolled out to all G Suite Basic, Business, Enterprise, Education, and Nonprofit domains later this year, the company says. That system will allow users access to huge corporate data sets without taking up the equivalent space on their hard drives.
Google, Microsoft, Amazon: Chipping Away at Backup?
Each of the three major IaaS providers -- Google, Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services -- offers some type of cloud-based backup to customers. MSPs and their backup vendors have long wondered if or how the CSP giants will cannibalize the backup market.
So far that hasn't been the case. In the MSP sector, numerous companies have momentum promoting backup and business continuity solutions. Some folks are starting to speculate if Datto, one of the MSP-centric market leaders, will pursue an IPO within the next 18 months or so.
Google: Storage Limits and Income Streams?
Back at Google, the company hasn’t said whether it’s increasing its 15GB storage limit or not. If not, anyone backing up their desktop would quickly hit the ceiling, which could encourage more customers to move over to one of Google’s monthly paid backup offerings.
Additional insights from Joe Panettieri.
