In an email sent to existing product testers today, Microsoft announced the upcoming beta of System Center Data Protection Manager 2006.
Data Protection Manager, or DPM, is a software tool aimed at all Windows users to aid the backup and recovery process. Microsoft have long been keen on simplifying this feature in Windows, introducing the system restore functionality with Windows XP.
The software features speedy recovery via disk-based backup systems, allowing "recovering in minutes instead of hours"; continuous protection without impact IT services; integration with tape drives via the Volume Shadow Copy Service API in Windows Server 2003. The company also hopes the software will offer good value for money by letting IT professionals work on other tasks; as many a Windows user / systems administrator will note, the process of backup and recovery is a costly and time intensive one.
Microsoft claim that 30 partners in the storage industry have announced their support for the new software, and will be working on creating solutions for Windows clients. Microsoft will make an official announcement on the launch tomorrow.