We’re excited to announce that image-based backup is now available in our free backup software! Continue reading
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Introducing MSP360 RMM 2.2
We’re thrilled to introduce MSP360 RMM 2.2, the latest version of our remote monitoring and management software. This release brings impactful updates, including the RMM Alert Profiles for streamlined alert configuration and control, the ability to trigger post-actions from alerts, and support for software installation directly from a network share or local disk. It also includes several other enhancements designed to optimize your workflow. Continue reading
Fueling Referrals: How MSPs Can Turn Happy Clients into Business Growth
Customer referrals are a powerful way for managed service providers (MSPs) to bring in new business. In fact, a potential customer is four times more likely to make a purchase when referred by a friend or colleague.
MSP360 vs Cove Backup: Comparison for MSPs and IT Professionals
Selecting a backup solution requires balancing functionality, cost, and reliability, especially for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) managing critical business data. In this article, we compare Cove Backup (formerly N-able Backup) and MSP360 Managed Backup, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal use cases to guide your decision—whether you’re new to backup solutions or considering a Cove Backup alternative.
This comparison focuses on features critical for MSPs and IT departments, including pricing policy and cost planning, backup capabilities, storage options, and management console usability, helping you make an informed decision based on your organization’s needs.
Pricing Policy and ROI
Cove Backup
- Price Includes License and Limited Storage: Each license comes with built-in storage quotas—2 TB per server and 500 GB per workstation, as outlined in the Fair Use Policy. Of course, the storage price is implicitly included in the license, and you pay for this storage whether or not it is fully utilized.
- Extra Storage Purchased Separately: Additional storage usage is charged at approximately $20 per TB*, potentially leading to high costs as backup sizes grow.
- Annual Contract: Cove offers an annual contract, which results in a large financial commitment and limits MSPs’ ability to optimize costs.
- Reselling Underused Storage Quota: If some clients are underusing their storage quota, MSPs can redistribute or “resell” the unused quota to other clients. However, if all clients are underusing storage, the MSP still pays for the full storage allocation.
*According to Reddit users’ comments.
MSP360 Managed Backup
- License per endpoint, Volume Discounts: MSP360 licenses do not include storage, allowing for clear and transparent cost planning. License discounts are available for MSPs with large-scale deployments.
- Flat Storage Price, with Multiple Options: MSP360 supports multiple storage destinations, including integrations with leading cloud storage providers like AWS, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and on-premises solutions. Pricing starts at just $5.99/TB with MSP360 Storage powered by Wasabi. Learn more about other storage options from the storage comparison table.
- Monthly Subscription With Trial Period: MSP360 offers monthly subscription options and trial periods for backup service and integrated storage options.
- Scalable, Cost-Effective Storage: Each client incurs storage costs proportional to their actual usage.
Backup and Recovery Capabilities
Cove Backup
- Cloud-First Backup: Designed primarily for cloud-based incremental backups, Cove supports file-level, application-aware, and system state backups.
- Limited Customization: Retention policies and backup schedules are less flexible compared to MSP360.
- Microsoft 365: Covers backup for Microsoft 365, including Exchange Online and OneDrive, but does not extend to Google Workspace.
MSP360 Managed Backup
- Versatile Backup Options: Supports file-level, application-aware (SQL, Exchange), system state, and image-based backups.
- Custom Retention Policies: Provides granular control over backup schedules and retention policies, allowing MSPs to meet compliance requirements.
- On-Demand Restores: MSP360 allows full control over recovery points and data versions.
- Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace: Comprehensive support for backing up and restoring Microsoft 365 services (Mail, OneDrive, Contacts, Calendar, SharePoint, and Teams) and Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Contacts, Calendar, and Shared Drives).
Storage Options
Cove Backup
- Built-In Cloud Storage: Cove includes proprietary cloud storage as part of its subscription plan. While this simplifies billing, it limits storage flexibility and may not meet all compliance requirements.
- No On-Premises Support: Cove does not support on-premises storage, which can be a disadvantage for organizations needing hybrid solutions.
- Vendor Lock-In Risk: Using Cove’s proprietary storage could create vendor lock-in, reducing flexibility for organizations that might want to switch providers.
- One Storage Option for All Data: Cove relies exclusively on its proprietary storage, offering no flexibility to differentiate between mission-critical data and secondary data storage tiers.
MSP360 Managed Backup
- Multi-Cloud Compatibility: MSP360 supports a broad range of storage providers, including AWS, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and any S3-compatible storage.
- MSP360 Cloud Storage: Offers two storage options powered by Wasabi and AWS, featuring instant setup, flat pricing, and simple billing.
- Hybrid Flexibility: MSP360 supports both cloud and on-premises storage options, allowing organizations to tailor their solutions based on their infrastructure needs.
- Choice of Storage Providers: MSPs can choose storage solutions that will be optimal for each client, allocating premium storage for mission-critical data and cost-effective options for secondary data.
- Storage Tiers for Compliance Backups: When clients need long-term and cost-efficient storage for compliance reasons, MSPs can offer them options like AWS Glacier and Azure Archive Storage, starting at just $0.99 per Tb.
Management Console and UX
Cove Backup
- Cloud-Native Console: Cove provides a web-based management console designed for managing cloud-first backups.
- Streamlined Features: The interface is streamlined for simplicity but offers fewer advanced configuration options compared to MSP360.
- Limited Control: Cove lacks certain granular control features, which might not appeal to MSPs needing detailed customization.
MSP360 Managed Backup
- Unified Management Console: MSP360 provides a single, centralized console to manage all backups, monitor statuses, configure policies, and much more. It supports all product features with no extra costs.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform is known for its intuitive interface, making it easy for MSPs and IT professionals to onboard new staff and manage backups without extensive training.
- Free Inclusion: MSP360’s management console is included in the license, with no separate fees.
- API Support: Offers extensive API capabilities for integration with other tools and custom automation.
Conclusion
Choosing between MSP360 Managed Backup and Cove Backup depends on your business priorities. MSP360 offers unmatched flexibility in storage, robust security features like immutability, and cost-efficient pricing, making it an excellent choice for MSPs managing diverse environments or seeking a Cove alternative. On the other hand, Cove excels in cloud-native simplicity and seamless integration with N-able’s ecosystem, making it suitable for organizations already committed to their tools.
Both platforms cater to distinct needs, and understanding your operational requirements will help you make the best decision for protecting your data and ensuring business continuity.
Snapshot vs. Backup: Understanding the Key Differences in Data Protection
If you take snapshots of your data, you may think your systems are safe against the risk of data loss or destruction. But when it comes time to restore data, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise when, despite having snapshots on hand, you’re not able to restore data successfully or maintain acceptable levels of business continuity.
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Understanding the NIS2 Directive and How MSP360 Helps Organizations Comply
The Network and Information Systems (NIS) 2 Directive is a European Union framework that poses stricter cybersecurity and incident response requirements on entities that are considered to be essential or important to the EU’s economy and society. Here’s what you need to know about the NIS2 Directive, who it impacts, and how MSP360 can help organizations stay compliant.
It’s Not Too Late: How MSPs Can Still Prepare for a Strong 2025
It’s that time of the year again: the holidays are upon us, and the new year is only a few weeks away.
While business operations may be winding down, December is the perfect time for managed service providers (MSPs) to reflect on their wins and losses in 2024 and proactively start planning for the future.
Why OneDrive Needs a Dedicated Backup Solution
Introduction to why Backup Onedrive needs a third-party solution
If your organization uses Microsoft 365, protecting your data and methods to backup OneDrive is a critical part of a comprehensive backup strategy. Desktop backups protect local files well, but they cannot secure your OneDrive data. That is why OneDrive needs a dedicated third-party backup solution, and this is where a specialized solution such as MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365 comes in.
We’ve already discussed the misconceptions about ways to backup OneDrive and enhance data security. Now, we will explore four critical reasons why OneDrive needs an automated, cloud-based backup solution that operates independently of users’ workstations and connects directly to OneDrive servers.
1.Backup OneDrive: Cloud-to-Cloud Is Faster
Even if OneDrive files reside on a user’s local workstation, relying on a desktop backup still means sending data through an office network that can’t match the speed of a direct, cloud-to-cloud transfer. Limited office or home internet bandwidth creates bottlenecks that slow backups and waste valuable time.
MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365 circumvents these limitations by connecting directly to Microsoft’s servers, leveraging the high-speed and reliable data transfer capabilities of a cloud-to-cloud architecture. This approach ensures that when you backup OneDrive, it run faster, with fewer interruptions and minimal impact on your local network. As a result, your backup process becomes more efficient, scales better, and reduces costs in the long run.
2. On-Demand Files Should Stay On-Demand
Many OneDrive users rely on the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature, which stores only file pointers locally instead of downloading every file. This approach is intentional, as it keeps workstation disk usage low and maintains a responsive user experience.
Some backup solutions protect OneDrive by forcing the workstation to download all on-demand files before backup. This undermines the core benefit of Files On-Demand, needlessly consuming local storage and bandwidth and significantly prolonging the backup process. It’s highly inefficient to download files from one cloud environment to a desktop and then re-upload them to another.
By incorporating MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365 into your strategy, you avoid these pitfalls.Instead of local sync, MSP360 backs up all OneDrive files directly, avoiding extra downloads and storage waste. This approach preserves the benefits of Files On-Demand while providing complete, secure backup protection.
3. Some People Use OneDrive Exclusively in Browser
Not every user works with OneDrive files in a way that a desktop backup can capture. Many users access and edit their documents directly through a web browser, whether they’re on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Because these files never download to a local machine, desktop-only backup solutions cannot protect them.
With MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365, you can ensure full coverage of all user data, regardless of how or where it’s accessed. Instead of relying on local synchronization, MSP360 connects directly to Microsoft 365 to back up every file—whether it’s synced locally or edited exclusively in the cloud. This means you also store cloud-only files safely, so you can stay confident that no important data goes unprotected.
4. Continuous Collaboration Happens in the Cloud
Even if a user’s workstation is offline on vacation, colleagues may still edit and update their OneDrive files. By relying solely on desktop backups, you risk missing changes that happen exclusively in OneDrive.
With MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365, you protect all file versions at the source and capture every change in real time, regardless of time or location..
Further reading Set up MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365
Conclusion on how to backup OneDrive
In modern organizations, people use cloud platforms like OneDrive to collaborate on critical business documents. While desktop backups secure locally stored files well, they do not handle the unique challenges of protecting cloud-based data. A dedicated cloud-based solution, such as MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365, is essential to backup One Drive. It ensure that all files—whether synced, cloud-only, or actively collaborated on—are fully protected.
By integrating MSP360 Managed Backup for Microsoft 365 with your existing desktop backup solution, you gain comprehensive coverage for both local and cloud-based data. Experience how a specialized backup approach can secure your organization’s data effectively. Use our trial licenses and storage to see the benefits and enjoy peace of mind with fully protected data
Further reading MSP360 Backup for OneDrive
Why You Need to Back Up Microsoft 365 and How MSP360 Helps
Discover the ins and outs of a cloud to cloud backup strategy using MSP360 Backup for Microsoft 365.
MSP360 Managed Backup December Update
We’re excited to announce several new features and enhancements designed to streamline workflows and improve user experience with MSP360 Managed Backup. Continue reading
MSP Trends to Watch in 2025: Making AI a Bigger Part of Your Business
Introduction
Artificial intelligence helps managed service providers (MSPs) do their jobs faster, better, and more efficiently than ever. How you incorporate AI into your day-to-day operations will have far-flung effects.
The Future of Ransomware: What MSPs Can Expect in 2025
If you think ransomware won't affect MSPs and their customers in 2025, think again. Ransomware continues to be a global threat, with attacks growing more sophisticated as technology evolves.
Getting Fired: The Right Way to Pass Clients to a New MSP
Getting fired by a client happens, and when it does, it can be emotionally draining, especially when money is tight. Although you may feel tempted to resent or retaliate against the new managed service provider (MSP), staying professional and cooperative is a far better choice.
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