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Simple and reliable backup solution
August 27, 2019

Simple and reliable backup solution

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Datto

Datto is in our organization to backup Windows (Server 2012 and 2016) and Linux servers. It is the primary backup system we use. Datto SIRIS device is used together with the Datto client as well as an older ShadowSnap agent. Datto provides both file and bare-metal restore capabilities as well as off-site replication. Most of our backup needs are filled by Datto.
  • Very easy to work with: web interface is extremely simple and documentation is readily available.
  • Combines local and cloud backups in a single package, making implementation easy.
  • Wide variety of restore options - download VHD, restore individual files, bare metal, virtualization in the cloud, and virtualization on the appliance itself.
  • Performs automatic backup testing. Datto creates VMs from backups in its cloud and sends email notifications of VM boot process. While this feature should not completely replace manual backup testing, it is still very useful to check the integrity of the backups.
  • Money: Datto SIRIS is somewhat expensive.
  • Sales model. Datto only sells SIRIS devices through third-party VARs, not directly. As the administration of the device is very simple, it can be hard to understand the need for VAR involvement.
  • Notifications can be finicky. Datto can be configured to send various notification emails to administrators, but notifications do not always contain accurate information on the backup status.
  • Datto is used on a regular basis to restore file server files lost as a result of user error. Man-hours saved alone justify the cost of the Datto solution.
  • I haven't used Datto in the DR scenario yet, but, based on tests, it will be invaluable in such a situation.
Usability is great. The web interface is simple and easy to use. While various options are available for client backups, it is very easy to re-use settings of the existing client, so adding new clients is a very fast process. Configuration of the agent on the client-side cannot be easier as well. Datto dashboard provides an overview of the client status, and email notifications can be configured for various events.
VAR and Datto provide good support for the device. Support techs are usually responsive. It can be somewhat annoying to contact VAR support first and see them escalate to Datto, which wastes time and creates confusion. Still, most problems are resolved in a timely fashion.
Datto is a legacy product, selected before I got involved in the backup design at the current organization. As there are no issues with it, no alternatives were considered. I used Bakula before and would recommend it or Amanda for an organization looking to save money, as these open-source solutions are "free" (hardware still needed, especially for off-site backups).
The main drawback of the Datto devices is the cost. As devices are very easy to configure, even small businesses should not have any problems implementing a backup solution by Datto. I would expect that a very large business with complicated backup requirements will need more flexibility than the Datto solution can provide but personally I have yet to see such a use case. Most small, medium, and even large businesses are able to afford Datto and should find it a very good backup solution.