Mozy is raising their prices!

[Knightsman]

http://m.lifehacker.com/5748305/mozy-drops-unlimited-backups-introduces-new-pricing


Mozy Drops Unlimited Backups, Introduces New Pricing
By Adam Pash, Jan 31, 2011 08:00 PM

Mozy Drops Unlimited Backups, Introduces New PricingMozy—our previously favorite tool for setting up foolproof, off-site backups—has changed it's pricing, most notably dropping their unlimited backup plans. Bummer for Mozy users. Here are the details:

Under the new plan, you can back up 50GB on one computer for $6/month, or 125GB on up to three computers for $9.99/month. Current Mozy unlimited can keep their unlimited backup through their last payment term (for example, I'm pretty sure I paid for a year last month, so I should be good through December 2011). For all other existing customers, the new plans will take effect on March 1. As a loyal Mozy unlimited user, I admit I didn't really know how much I was backing up, so I checked the computer I back up the least from: Turns out, it's 226GB. Uh oh.

You can add an additional 20GB of storage to the 125GB account for $2/month per 20GB, so we're talking an extra $10/month for an additional 100GB. In my case, for example, I'd need to pay $20/month to back up this one computer—up from my previous $5/month for the unlimited plan.

I love Mozy, and have been using them loyally for years, but this is a pretty huge price jump. Mozy explains the increase by discussing how much more data users are making these days—which I suppose is true, but then storage gets cheaper every year, too, right?

From a business perspective, we can sympathize, but from a user perspective, this is potentially a big problem. Mozy seems to think all backup services that offer unlimited plans will be heading in this direction, and that may be true. Either way, it looks like we may be on the hunt for alternatives.

While we do our hunting, you may want to check out our Hive Five best online backup tools. And if you've got an online backup alternative with unlimited plans that you're happy with (I know a lot of people like Carbonite), we'd love to hear about it in the comments.

 

[Frank]

I was actually going to sign up for the unlimited plan with MozyHome about an hour ago, but saw that it was gone. I just went with Carbonite instead.

 

[Jory]

This isn't surprising in the least. There is no such thing as an unlimited capacity hard drive so they're having to pay for all that storage. They no doubt had a rough guess of what the average usage would be, and hoped it would even out to that. Considering they had to take these drastic steps that guess was obviously not even close.

Judging by some comments I've read other places there seems to be a lot of upset people. They have nobody to blame except for themselves when it comes down to it. If you're offered an unlimited amount of a finite resource for a fixed price your first reaction should be skepticism.

This isn't much different than web hosting companies, or cell phone data plans. They say it's unlimited, but in reality there is a maximum amount they'll tolerate. It's completely dishonest, but unfortunately it works because stupid people keep buying into it.

 

[MrUnknown]

If you are partners with Nine Technology (through the ACRBO of course), depending on your pricing, this would be a great time to push your backup plans.

 

[4ycr]

If you are partners with Nine Technology (through the ACRBO of course), depending on your pricing, this would be a great time to push your backup plans.

I seen them tweeting about that last night

 

[myPCTechs]

Mozy? Really...

I only recommend something like this to a client looking for a cheap and fast place to stash a couple of documents.

It still amazes me that anyone would consider using this type of service for a complete system backup, yet I find plenty of new clients who already have something like this installed as their only backup plan. I even have a few past clients that backup 300GB worth of server data on Mozy (with no other backup plan).

Of course they wouldn't listen to recommendations to reconsider their plan. Maybe they would now with the changes in pricing. Imagine their surprise the day their server fails due to data corruption and they attempt to get it back up and running. It's going to take days (or much longer), even if the 300GB they download from the internet can fix the problem (it probably can't).

I have a relatively inexpensive solution to anyone complaining about the price of Mozy. Spend $80 on this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136469&cm_re=1_tb_external_harddrive-_-22-136-469-_-Product

 

[Knightsman]

The is absolutely nothing wrong with using online storage as a backup. Most like nine tech, and carbonite, use multiple servers that keep the files safe. Not only that you can order an overnight drive (not sure if carbonite does this, mozy and nine do). So by the time you get the server back up and running good, your files will be there via overnight delivery.

Its always good to have 3 points of file integrity (tapes, offsite, online) but I offer unlimited, and I am not dishonest. The system works, and I recommend getting in before it gets hot.

 

[myPCTechs]

This probably works fine for a home user but again, the companies that I service can't afford to be down more than a few hours - let alone a couple of days waiting for the mailman to gently handle their corporate data.

You can accomplish multiple backups for clients without all the hassle and have instant access to backup data. Ghost images here, meaning you won't need to get the server backup up and then load data - you will simply reload the entire server (in a matter of minutes).

$210 will get you 3 external 1 TB drives. Keep 1 plugged in, 1 disconnected in a safe, and 1 off-site. Rotate them on a regular basis.

PS: Are these prices still accurate? $189 per 400GB of files or $100 for a DVD via overnight Mozy delivery?

Source: http://www.blackhillswebworks.com/2010/02/19/backing-up-your-data-online-comparing-backblaze-and-mozy-as-two-possible-options/

 

[Knightsman]

I agree with you there, but I will add small business in there. Most of the small businesses I deal with can handle a day without the server. They also dont want to pay to have the drives swapped out like that so it works for them. I think I live in a cheap city

 

[MrUnknown]

I agree with you there, but I will add small business in there. Most of the small businesses I deal with can handle a day without the server. They also dont want to pay to have the drives swapped out like that so it works for them. I think I live in a cheap city

It isn't about cheap, this really is the most sensible solution for an off-site backup for a small business. Setting up a reliable, business grade, on-site backup can be expensive. using a portable HDD that relies on people remembering to use it is simply a horrible idea.

Whoever is storing 300GB of critical data online, that is fine so long as you have a local backup too. Online storage should only be a last resort. With the prices involved, I don't think I would recommend it for that much data though. I would say 100GB is really pushing it.