Item: Veeam Data Platform
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Veeam Data Platform

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Veeam Backup & Replication is used in my organization to backup various workloads including Windows and Linux OSes on virtual and physical hosts that are either on-premises or cloud-based options. The backup software is easy to use but also allows for specific settings per job, allowing for easy to complex solutions for your backup needs. The software is an enterprise-class solution that is readily available for all businesses small to large.

Workloads

Virtualized workloads
Endpoints and physical servers running Windows & Linux
Cloud-hosted VMs within AWS or Azure
In addition to back up, we also replicate some of these workloads
In addition to back up, we also snapshot some of these workloads

Future Workloads

NAS filers

Key Features

Application-centric recovery using Veeam Explorers (for Exchange, SQL, Sharepoint, etc)
Capacity Tier to store data within object storage for longer term retention
Automating test restores to validate recoverability
Immutable storage to protect against ransomware
“Instant” recovery or portability between platforms (physical > virtual > cloud-hosted)
Failover or recovery scripts/plans for orchestrated recovery

Most Used

Capacity Tier to store data within object storage for longer term retention

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy to create backup jobs with complicated processing needs
Backup jobs can be created which are application-aware, such as MSSQL
Restores can be done from VM/instance level all the way down to specific files

Cons

Migration of backup jobs from one storage option to another would be ideal
More specific information when a backup job has grown excessively compared to other backups over time

Key Insights

Do you think Veeam Data Platform delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Veeam Data Platform's feature set?

Yes

Did Veeam Data Platform live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Veeam Data Platform go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Veeam Data Platform again?

Yes

Number of Workloads Protected

Our Veeam Backup & Replication deployment is protecting around ~200 virtual and physical workloads. Our workloads have grown since our initial purchase of the software, and this growth has not caused us any issues, Veeam Backup & Replication works for us. The solution is rock-solid for us and we would be happy to purchase again.

Return on Investment

Positive: Easy restores, when needed, saves time compared to overly-complicated solutions
Positive: Auto testing of backup jobs gives peace of mind, but still test manually
Positive: Easily able to have multiple backup storage options, allowing you to diversify where your jobs go based on jobs or storage tiering needs

Needs Assesment

This organization had tried multiple backup products over the years. The adoption of Veeam Backup & Recovery has been a decision that has not been second-guessed. Prior products had difficulty taking care of transaction logs and other app-specific backup options. These issues have not been present with our Veeam deployment.

Cloud Capabilities

Our Veeam Backup & Replication deployment has been configured to allow for multiple jobs to run depending upon our risk acceptance of where and how long our backups are kept on-premise storage versus cloud-based storage. Through our Veeam Backup & Replication deployment, we have been able to easily set up geographically-separated regions where our backups are stored. While we have not had to utilize these redundancies, the ability to utilize them if needed is vital to our organization.

NAS Backup

Prior to our migration to M365-based services, we utilized Veeam Backup & Replication for NAS-based backups. Direct integration with our appliances was a great feature, as it allowed for the middle man (me) to be removed from the equation. Since our migration to M365 products, some of our data had to be brought back in-house. These needs were solved with VM-based SMB shares, which we back up with Veeam Backup & Replication as a normal backup job.

Other Software Used

AvePoint Cloud Backup, Cisco Secure Access by Duo, Nessus

Likelihood to Recommend

Veeam Backup and Replication is well suited for both on-premises and cloud-based workloads. Our deployment covers workloads from within VMware, Azure, and AWS. Built-in capabilities for mounting cloud-based storage are a great feature. For our deployment, we have not had any issues where Veeam Backup and Replication is not the right fit.

Using Veeam Data Platform

Users and Roles

2 - The Veeam Data Platform is used by two individuals within my organization, but primarily, one individual is responsible for the installation, configuration, and maintenance of the product. The reports generated from within the product are used for forecasting future growth or other needs, and are regularly presented to executive leadership.

Support Headcount Required

2 -

The monitoring of backup jobs and other similar components can be done with basic user knowledge when provided the appropriate level of console, web, or email alerting.

The day to day operations are supported by one individual who has a systems administration back ground covering various on-premises and cloud-based technologies.

Business Processes Supported

Backup of data from on-premises to cloud, and to backup data from cloud to on-premises.
Day to day monitoring of various virtual machines and environments.

Innovative Uses

The latest release providing native support for direct to object storage locations allowed for us to prove to our cyber-insurance company we have obtained fully immutable backups.

Future Planned Uses

In the future, there will be some discussion over the Veeam Recovery Orchestrator and how we can incorporate that into easier disaster recovery testing.

Likelihood to Renew

I have used many other data backup products that are on the market. I trust the configuration options within Veeam to do as they are labeled, without any specific back end software changes that may cause backups to fail if you don't use a systems integrator.

I trust the product for my own home environment as well due to relationship I have with the product at work.

Evaluating Veeam Data Platform and Competitors

Products Replaced

Yes - The Veeam product when initially purchased replaced various software options from DellEMC. While the DellEMC products were capable of providing trusty-worthy backups, the cost of the software and administration of the platform had pushed me into looking for alternatives. The ease of use of Veeam, along with relative lower cost, made the choice for the organization clear on changing solutions.

Key Differentiators

Cloud Solutions
Integration with Other Systems
Ease of Use

As previously mentioned on the review, the ease of use was a major deciding factor for the purchase of Veeam. The product is well documented and comes with a top tier level of support if needed. The ability to integrate with several different systems through native or other options within the software, also was a great benefit. However, the ability for the platform to provide backup protection across all of my workloads from on-premises to cloud solutions was the defining factor of the purchase and ongoing renewal of the product.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

When looking at evaluation of other products in this space going forward, I would want to be sure I have a complete view of how various components of on-premises and cloud platforms can be backed up and managed within a single pane of glass. I don't want to have to use multiple tools to complete my work when there is no direct benefit from it.

Veeam Data Platform Implementation

Implementation Rating

When deploying Veeam, be sure you have your environment right-sized. While it is not a big deal to increase capacity later, it will make a difference if you are trying to run Veeam on instances/VMs that are not appropriately sized on CPU and Memory requirements.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

Yes -

The implementation followed the traditional waterfall methodology of implementation. The phases were:

Requirements

Design

Implementation

Testing

Maintenance

Change Management Lessons

Change management was a small part of the implementation and was well-handled - Change management is an ongoing process for the organization. We updated our processes within change management to now notate the use of the Veeam platform, while also going through the formal process of deploying Veeam by using change management. The process itself of Veeam implementation did not make any changes to our mature change management program.

Implementation Issues

No issues were encountered during implementation, significant or otherwise.

Veeam Data Platform Training

Training Types Used

No Training

In-Person Training

Online Training

Ease of Veeam Data Platform Training

The product is very easy to learn the basics. I am a big advocate of any type of training if available, and Veeam provides great resources for those individuals who feel more comfortable learning at their own pace.

Configuring Veeam Data Platform

Product Configurability

The Veeam Data Platform can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. The ability to do simple backups to complex backups involving tiering options within your storage object locations. The product provides a just right feel based on your own understanding of the product.

Configuration Lessons

Veeam provides multiple resources on configuration of the platform using best practices. When deploying, you need to be responsible in following at least these recommendations as provided by Veeam:https://bp.veeam.com/vbr/2_Design_Structures/D_Veeam_Components/D_backup_repositories/

UI Customization

No - we have not done any customization to the interface

Extensibility and Customization

No - we have not done any custom code

Veeam Data Platform Support

Support Rating

Several years ago I had to open a case with Veeam over issues with backup jobs and a specific vendor device. The Veeam support crew was able to help me gather the information I needed to help me with the support case I had with the other vendor by pulling logs and other information for me.

Veeam Data Platform Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response	None

Premium Support

When we first implemented the Veeam platform, we opted for premium support. I don't think the need for premium support is there for my organization as we don't have issues justifying the spend. For us, the product runs without issues and doesn't have problems including after major platform upgrades. It is a solid product that I can't say enough words about.

Bug Resolution

Exceptional Examples of Veeam Data Platform Support

I have not had to open a case with support over Veeam in sometime. The last time I engaged with any form of Veeam support was this previous year when I was renewing the product. I worked with my account manager, and she was able to help me very quickly on some questions I had about renewal.

Using Veeam Data Platform

Usability

Veeam Backup & Replication is easy to learn, easy to configure, and still has features that are as complex as you need them to be for specific jobs. The ability to have one platform to manage various backup types from on-premises virtual machines and physical servers, yet alone different types of cloud deployments, helps me manage my time I have dedicated for backups. The additional features of the platform from Veeam One for monitoring and reporting on my environments just additional benefits and time savings.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

The console is easy to use.
Creating backup jobs is a straightforward process.

Difficult Tasks

The only aspect I have an issue with within the platform is when a backup job is renamed, the original name is still associated with the file path of the backup files.

Veeam Data Platform Reliability

Scalability

The solution is actively supporting multiple production load types, for both on-premises and cloud-based server environments. As we have deployed on more cloud-based platforms, it has been easy to integrate those workloads into Veeam.

Reliability and Availability

I have not had any issues with the availability of the platform. The platform has been stable, and we update as needed for platform updates that are regularly provided by Veeam.

Performance

The platform runs very well. We maintain two servers for the deployment, one specific for Veeam backup and recovery, and the other for maintaining the Veeam One deployment. Our environment is a small deployment consisting of 13 servers and roughly 150 virtual machines, and our platform is sized appropriately for that deployment size. We don't have issues with report completion times or any other types of problems.

Relationship with Veeam Software

Pre-Sale Experience

Veeam was very easy to work with during the sales process. I used CDW as my 3rd party VAR while purchasing Veeam, and the overall process was very simple to complete.

Post-Sale Experience

Veeam is very easy to contact post-sale. I have had questions I have directed to my sales representative for Veeam, and the response is always quick and to the point as needed.

Key Negotiation Points

Our purchase was originally for perpetual licensing over a 3 year contract, and since have migrated to a different license type. These negotiations occurred without issue and was a pleasant (as much as it can be) process.

Dealing with Veeam Software

I am very direct with what my requirements are and the budgetary spend I have. Being properly equipped with those two things, I have not had any issue when working with Veeam.

Upgrading Veeam Data Platform

Upgrade Process

Yes - I have deployed several major platform upgrades within the Veeam platform. The upgrade process is a straight forward process. I have not had issues with deploying minor or major updates to the system.