Simpana Express Frequently Asked Questions - Commvault
Simpana® Express Frequently Asked Questions Q. A.
What is Simpana Express? Simpana Express is a new dedicated backup product from CommVault – a recognized leader in the enterprise backup industry – specifically designed with small and medium-sized businesses in mind. It provides a fast, reliable, and intuitive solution that addresses the backup and recovery needs of SMB customers today, and as their business grows. Unlike competing solutions, Simpana Express upgrades seamlessly to CommVault’s enterprise version (Simpana 10) without replacing the existing data protection solution, and without compromising on features and functionality. It is focused on protecting Microsoft and Linux file systems, backing up key Microsoft applications (Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint, and Active Directory), providing deduplication to optimize storage resources, and supporting virtualization. It supports both physical and virtual servers, including VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V environments.
Q. A.
When will Simpana Express be available? Simpana Express started shipping exclusively from CDW in the United States on November 4, 2013.
Q.
How is Simpana Express different than Simpana 10 (CommVault’s enterprise version of Simpana)?
A.
Businesses that have few, if any, dedicated IT personnel require a different solution than enterprise customers with large IT staffs. Specifically, SMBs require solutions that are quick and easy to deploy, simple to purchase, backed by strong technical support, and can grow with their business, all while meeting a certain price point. Simpana Express has been designed with these requirements in mind.
Customer Requirement
Simplicity of product
Simpana Express Key Features
Only 3 capacity-based options (2TB & 5TB base options and a 1TB upgrade option) Must purchase 1 year of 24/7 maintenance Easy to use wizard preconfigured with the most common options to simplify installation Supports Microsoft and Linux file systems, deduplication, and virtualization Smaller image for faster download and installation times; Uses MS SQL Express
Ease of purchase
Try and Buy option with FREE support during 30-day trial period
Support
24/7 Support with live call center and personalized e-support options
Upgradeability
Converts to Simpana Enterprise without replacing the solution or configuration detail
Price
Contact your CDW SMB sales rep for pricing information.
Competitive differentiators.
1
CommVault has been positioned as a Leader for the third year in a row in the 2013 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Backup/Recovery Software; and as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Enterprise Backup and Recovery Software, Q2, 2013.
1
The table below provides additional context on how Simpana Express is differentiated from the competition.
Feature
Benefit
Limited number of SKUs
Simple capacity-based only options eliminate the confusion of agents and options, and is sold with 1year of 24/7 support.
Free Support during Trial Program
Providing free configuration and technical support during your trial period ensures a successful trial and highlights the simplicity of using Simpana Express for your needs.
Support
CommVault’s support organization has a 96% customer satisfaction rating for 2 customer support.
Upgradeability
The ability to seamlessly upgrade to Simpana 10 without impacting your protected data, your protection history, or your configuration is a key differentiating factor for Simpana Express. Many competitive solutions will require deployment of multiple instances as you scale, or force a forklift change from one product to another as the business grows. This painful, stressful, and expensive endeavor forces a complete replacement of your existing data protection solution with a new solution, losing your protected data and entire data protection history in the process. In essence, you are penalized for growing your business. With Simpana Express, you simply convert your database and licensing options and you’re ready to go. No need to worry about touching or losing your data.
Q.
Can Simpana Express be upgraded to Simpana 10 (e.g., Data Protection Foundation (DPF), Data Protection Advanced (DPA) bundles)?
A.
Yes, see previous question for additional details.
Q. A.
What type of software license does Simpana Express provide? Simpana Express offers a perpetual usage license for the software.
Q.
Does Simpana Express include automatic upgrade rights to future new Simpana release versions?
A.
No. While Simpana Express can be converted/upgraded to the enterprise version of Simpana and it includes updates (patches, bug fixes) for the Simpana 10 release, it does not include automatic upgrade rights to future new Simpana release versions.
Q. A.
What type of support is provided with Simpana Express?
Q. A.
2
Simpana Express offers 1yr of 24/7 maintenance for peace of mind that comes from knowing that you can get in touch with capable and competent support personnel – at any time of the day or night – to resolve your issues. Support includes access to the Simpana customer Maintenance Advantage portal and updates for the Simpana 10 release.
Does Simpana Express offer a trial version of the software? Yes. Where Simpana Express differentiates itself is in offering free configuration and technical support during the 30-day trial period. With some competitive solutions, customers are pointed to a web site but are on their own to resolve any issues. See the question below for additional details on how the support program works.
CommVault Fiscal Year 2013 Support Services Survey of Customers.
Q. A.
How does the free support work during the trial period? Customers are entitled to free configuration and technical support during the trial period. After a customer installs, configures, and registers the trial software, they can submit a request to schedule a review session with a System Engineer to conduct a product overview or discuss best practices, design concepts, or general administration. Or, if customers have technical support issues, they can call a support hotline. The contact information for both is provided when customers register the trial software.
Q.
Do the 30-days of free configuration and technical support start when the software is downloaded?
A.
No. The 30-days of free support start when the customer completes the installation process and registers the trial software. The software must be registered for customers to receive free support.
Q.
If customers purchase the product after the trial period and apply the production license, do they have to reconfigure the software?
A.
No. If a customer buys the product and applies the production license, it will allow them to continue backups without having to reconfigure the product.
Q. A.
When the trial period is over, does the product stop working?
Q. A.
Thirty (30) days after the trial version software has been installed, it will cease allowing backup jobs to be scheduled. In essence, it will stop working. However, customers can still recover data that has already been backed up.
Will I be notified before the 30-day trial period is over? Yes. You will receive an email upon the initial download of the trial software thanking you for downloading the product and providing you with information on how to get started using and configuring the product. After that, you will receive an email notification with 7-days left and with 1-day left of your free support.
For more information about Simpana ® software modules and solutions, and for up-to-date system requirements, please visit www.commvault.com www.commvault.com • 888.746.3849 • [email protected] CommVault Worldwide Headquarters • 2 Crescent Place • Oceanport, NJ 07757 Phone: 888.746.3849 • Fax: 732.870.4525 CommVault Regional Offices • United States • Europe • Middle East & Africa • Asia-Pacific • Latin America & Caribbean Canada • India • Oceania © 1999-2014 CommVault Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. CommVault, CommVault and logo, the “CV” logo, CommVault Systems, Solving Forward, SIM, Singular Information Management, Simpana, Simpana OnePass, CommVault Galaxy, Unified Data Management, QiNetix, Quick Recovery, QR, CommNet, GridStor, Vault Tracker, InnerVault, QuickSnap, QSnap, Recovery Director, CommServe, CommCell, IntelliSnap, ROMS, CommVault Edge, and CommValue, are trademarks or registered trademarks of CommVault Systems, Inc. All other third party brands, products, service names, trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of and used to identify the products or services of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change without notice.
What is Simpana Express? Simpana Express is a new dedicated backup product from CommVault – a recognized leader in the enterprise backup industry – specifically designed with small and medium-sized businesses in mind. It provides a fast, reliable, and intuitive solution that addresses the backup and recovery needs of SMB customers today, and as their business grows. Unlike competing solutions, Simpana Express upgrades seamlessly to CommVault’s enterprise version (Simpana 10) without replacing the existing data protection solution, and without compromising on features and functionality. It is focused on protecting Microsoft and Linux file systems, backing up key Microsoft applications (Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint, and Active Directory), providing deduplication to optimize storage resources, and supporting virtualization. It supports both physical and virtual servers, including VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V environments.
Q. A.
When will Simpana Express be available? Simpana Express started shipping exclusively from CDW in the United States on November 4, 2013.
Q.
How is Simpana Express different than Simpana 10 (CommVault’s enterprise version of Simpana)?
A.
Businesses that have few, if any, dedicated IT personnel require a different solution than enterprise customers with large IT staffs. Specifically, SMBs require solutions that are quick and easy to deploy, simple to purchase, backed by strong technical support, and can grow with their business, all while meeting a certain price point. Simpana Express has been designed with these requirements in mind.
Customer Requirement
Simplicity of product
Simpana Express Key Features
Only 3 capacity-based options (2TB & 5TB base options and a 1TB upgrade option) Must purchase 1 year of 24/7 maintenance Easy to use wizard preconfigured with the most common options to simplify installation Supports Microsoft and Linux file systems, deduplication, and virtualization Smaller image for faster download and installation times; Uses MS SQL Express
Ease of purchase
Try and Buy option with FREE support during 30-day trial period
Support
24/7 Support with live call center and personalized e-support options
Upgradeability
Converts to Simpana Enterprise without replacing the solution or configuration detail
Price
Contact your CDW SMB sales rep for pricing information.
Competitive differentiators.
1
CommVault has been positioned as a Leader for the third year in a row in the 2013 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Backup/Recovery Software; and as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Enterprise Backup and Recovery Software, Q2, 2013.
1
The table below provides additional context on how Simpana Express is differentiated from the competition.
Feature
Benefit
Limited number of SKUs
Simple capacity-based only options eliminate the confusion of agents and options, and is sold with 1year of 24/7 support.
Free Support during Trial Program
Providing free configuration and technical support during your trial period ensures a successful trial and highlights the simplicity of using Simpana Express for your needs.
Support
CommVault’s support organization has a 96% customer satisfaction rating for 2 customer support.
Upgradeability
The ability to seamlessly upgrade to Simpana 10 without impacting your protected data, your protection history, or your configuration is a key differentiating factor for Simpana Express. Many competitive solutions will require deployment of multiple instances as you scale, or force a forklift change from one product to another as the business grows. This painful, stressful, and expensive endeavor forces a complete replacement of your existing data protection solution with a new solution, losing your protected data and entire data protection history in the process. In essence, you are penalized for growing your business. With Simpana Express, you simply convert your database and licensing options and you’re ready to go. No need to worry about touching or losing your data.
Q.
Can Simpana Express be upgraded to Simpana 10 (e.g., Data Protection Foundation (DPF), Data Protection Advanced (DPA) bundles)?
A.
Yes, see previous question for additional details.
Q. A.
What type of software license does Simpana Express provide? Simpana Express offers a perpetual usage license for the software.
Q.
Does Simpana Express include automatic upgrade rights to future new Simpana release versions?
A.
No. While Simpana Express can be converted/upgraded to the enterprise version of Simpana and it includes updates (patches, bug fixes) for the Simpana 10 release, it does not include automatic upgrade rights to future new Simpana release versions.
Q. A.
What type of support is provided with Simpana Express?
Q. A.
2
Simpana Express offers 1yr of 24/7 maintenance for peace of mind that comes from knowing that you can get in touch with capable and competent support personnel – at any time of the day or night – to resolve your issues. Support includes access to the Simpana customer Maintenance Advantage portal and updates for the Simpana 10 release.
Does Simpana Express offer a trial version of the software? Yes. Where Simpana Express differentiates itself is in offering free configuration and technical support during the 30-day trial period. With some competitive solutions, customers are pointed to a web site but are on their own to resolve any issues. See the question below for additional details on how the support program works.
CommVault Fiscal Year 2013 Support Services Survey of Customers.
Q. A.
How does the free support work during the trial period? Customers are entitled to free configuration and technical support during the trial period. After a customer installs, configures, and registers the trial software, they can submit a request to schedule a review session with a System Engineer to conduct a product overview or discuss best practices, design concepts, or general administration. Or, if customers have technical support issues, they can call a support hotline. The contact information for both is provided when customers register the trial software.
Q.
Do the 30-days of free configuration and technical support start when the software is downloaded?
A.
No. The 30-days of free support start when the customer completes the installation process and registers the trial software. The software must be registered for customers to receive free support.
Q.
If customers purchase the product after the trial period and apply the production license, do they have to reconfigure the software?
A.
No. If a customer buys the product and applies the production license, it will allow them to continue backups without having to reconfigure the product.
Q. A.
When the trial period is over, does the product stop working?
Q. A.
Thirty (30) days after the trial version software has been installed, it will cease allowing backup jobs to be scheduled. In essence, it will stop working. However, customers can still recover data that has already been backed up.
Will I be notified before the 30-day trial period is over? Yes. You will receive an email upon the initial download of the trial software thanking you for downloading the product and providing you with information on how to get started using and configuring the product. After that, you will receive an email notification with 7-days left and with 1-day left of your free support.
For more information about Simpana ® software modules and solutions, and for up-to-date system requirements, please visit www.commvault.com www.commvault.com • 888.746.3849 • [email protected] CommVault Worldwide Headquarters • 2 Crescent Place • Oceanport, NJ 07757 Phone: 888.746.3849 • Fax: 732.870.4525 CommVault Regional Offices • United States • Europe • Middle East & Africa • Asia-Pacific • Latin America & Caribbean Canada • India • Oceania © 1999-2014 CommVault Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. CommVault, CommVault and logo, the “CV” logo, CommVault Systems, Solving Forward, SIM, Singular Information Management, Simpana, Simpana OnePass, CommVault Galaxy, Unified Data Management, QiNetix, Quick Recovery, QR, CommNet, GridStor, Vault Tracker, InnerVault, QuickSnap, QSnap, Recovery Director, CommServe, CommCell, IntelliSnap, ROMS, CommVault Edge, and CommValue, are trademarks or registered trademarks of CommVault Systems, Inc. All other third party brands, products, service names, trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of and used to identify the products or services of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change without notice.
