Last Tuesday, back-up software specialist Veritas simultaneously launched three updated software products aimed at providing continuous data protection, fast disk-based recovery and simplified data management even of remote locations.

In Malta, Veritas was represented by Mikko Nykyri, pre-sales consultant, who delivered a presentation at Hilton Malta on the same day that Veritas chairman, president and CEO Gary Bloom addressed a global news conference in New York.

With over a decade of proven success, Mr Nykyri said Veritas was an industry leader in the Windows-related platform, even co-developing utilities with Microsoft. The new software, Backup Exec 10.0 for Windows Servers, Replication Exec 3.1 (formerly Storage Replicator) and Storage Exec 5.3 (formerly StorageCentral) are designed to deliver "unprecedented levels of continuous data protection across all central and remote locations, including desktops and laptops, while controlling and maximising Windows storage resources.

Mr Nykyri said Backup Exec offered an integrated solution. Restores are faster, taking up less network and tape capacity, with plenty of new features, including off-host backup and Linux support.

QuickStart is being offered as an entry level version to all Veritas's OEM (original equipment manufacturing) partners worldwide, with the possibility to upgrade to the full version.

Replication Exec is 25 per cent faster than the previous version and, Mr Nykyri said, offered greater flexibility, including data level replication from remote offices.

Storage Exec includes a file blocking feature and can be integrated with Backup Exec. Mr Nykyri said pricing for these products is integrated and, overall, was the same but is revised according to market demand. Veritas Software Corporation is represented locally by NewTech Ltd, a member of the Demajo Group.