Press Releases
Carbonite Challenges Dell's DataSafe Service
"File Backup and Migration" Service Allows PC Retailers to Now Deliver new PCs with User's Old Data Pre-loaded in Direct Competition with Dell's Future Service
BOSTON, MA — January 29, 2007 — Carbonite, Inc., the leading provider of consumer online backup services, today announced a retail service called "File Backup and Migration" that lets PC retailers compete directly with Dell's recently announced DataSafe service due out later this year. Applicable to any PC brand, the new Carbonite service is available immediately to all Carbonite retail partners and resellers.
"File Backup and Migration" uses Carbonite's Online PC Backup service to keep an accurate, up-to-the-minute online backup of a user's entire PC. When a user purchases a new PC or hard drive, Carbonite enables the retailer to deliver that PC or hard drive with all the user's old files, settings, and preferences pre-loaded. This service makes migration to a new PC easy and painless for any user and provides an incentive for the user to return to the same retailer for his next PC purchase. The service can be easily installed by the retailer's tech bench operations.
The service has a consumer list price of $99.95 ($49.95 for each subsequent year) and includes a one year subscription to Carbonite Online PC Backup. Subsequent years' renewals can be purchased through the retailer or online.
Here's how "File Backup and Migration" works: When a consumer purchases a new PC, the retailer's tech bench installs a specially-coded version of Carbonite Online PC Backup from a Carbonite-provided CD. When it's time to replace the PC or the hard drive, the retailer obtains online a one-use password that allows him/her to transfer the user's Carbonite license to a new machine. Only the retailer who sold the original service has access to this one-time password, thereby encouraging consumers to return to the same store for their next PC. It is not necessary for the retailer to complete the download process for the customer, or even have broadband Internet at the tech bench. When the customer brings his/her computer home and connects to the Internet, the restore process automatically continues until everything from the old computer is restored.
David Friend, Carbonite's president and CEO, said, "At CES, Dell mocked retailers with their 'Dr. Evil' look-alike and anti-retailer rhetoric. Dell claims that online backup and data migration can only be done by a direct marketing company like Dell. This is just not true. With Carbonite's File Backup and Migration service, any retailer with a tech bench operation can provide the same kind of service. The customer can leave the store with a new, any brand PC that will be automatically backed up all the time. And, if they ever decide to buy a new PC, the retailer is able to deliver one with all the customer's data pre-loaded. It's like an extended warranty for your data."
About Carbonite
Only a small fraction of computer users regularly back up their PCs. Boston-based Carbonite, the leading consumer online backup company, addresses this issue by providing safe, simple, inexpensive, automatic backup over the Internet for consumers and small businesses in over 80 countries.
Founded in 2005, Carbonite believes that computers users shouldn't have to think about backup. The company's mission is to provide an affordable, reliable, secure and easy-to-use solution for the mainstream computer user.
Carbonite is available to consumers and small business through several channels, including its Web site, retailers such as Staples and CompUSA, and hundreds of small resellers. For more information, please visit www.carbonite.com.