Veeam Backup & Replication Is an Easy Choice for Any Business
Updated September 29, 2023
Veeam Backup & Replication Is an Easy Choice for Any Business
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
Veeam Backup & Replication
Overall Satisfaction with Veeam Data Platform
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.
- 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
- NAS filers
- 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
- Capacity Tier to store data within object storage for longer term retention
- 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
- 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
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
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.
- 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
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.
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.
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.
Using Veeam Data Platform
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- In the future, there will be some discussion over the Veeam Recovery Orchestrator and how we can incorporate that into easier disaster recovery testing.
Evaluating Veeam Data Platform and Competitors
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.
- 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.
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
- Implemented in-house
Yes -
The implementation followed the traditional waterfall methodology of implementation. The phases were:
Requirements
Design
Implementation
Testing
Maintenance
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.
- No issues were encountered during implementation, significant or otherwise.
Veeam Data Platform Training
- No 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
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/
No - we have not done any customization to the interface
No - we have not done any custom code
Veeam Data Platform Support
| 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 |
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.
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
| 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 |
- The console is easy to use.
- Creating backup jobs is a straightforward process.
- 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
Relationship with Veeam Software
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.
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
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.
- Direct to Cloud Object Storage
- Direct to On-premises Object Storage
- Additional support for more backup solutions for cloud-based resources