Copper Valley Telecom has simplified their IBM i backups and improved overall efficiencies by implementing LaserVault’s Universal Backup Device (UBD) to replace their tape backup library. 

With the implementation of the UBD tapeless backup solution, and eliminating the use of physical tape media, Copper Valley’s IBM i backup times have improved significantly. Additionally, they have met their goals of successfully simplifying their processes resulting in better efficiencies, improved productivity, and increased confidence in their backups.

A communications services provider in Valdez, Alaska for over 50 years, Copper Valley Telecom has been able to successfully eliminate the complex procedures, long backup times, and lack of flexibility that they experienced when using tape media for their backups.

Eve Leonard, IT Manager, states: “LaserVault UBD is really a time saver and is indeed simple to use. I am very pleased with the simplicity of the user interface and the solution’s ability to automate the tape creation, initialization and scheduling through Job scheduler. It’s as if the weight of our backup worries has been lifted off our minds.”

UBD is a tapeless backup solution that emulates a tape drive and allows backups from any IBM i (iSeries, AS/400, or System i) or Linux system. With UBD, businesses can stop using tape and instead gain an easy to use, easy to implement, scalable backup and storage option that is fully integrated with the existing system and connects via Fibre Channel.

Once connected, UBD appears as a tape drive to the host system. Minimal staff training and little downtime for installation is required because UBD uses standard IBM i tape backup commands. In addition, UBD can be used as a gateway device to store backups on a NAS, SAN or any deduplication appliance that supports CIFS, NFS or iSCSI connections. For companies considering a change from tape backups, a live on-line demo of the UBD solution is available.

Eve explains: “We very rarely use a tape any more, and combined with our offsite backups to the cloud this backup device gives me peace of mind, faster backup time, and allows me the flexibility to work with multiple volumes from my remote office. I no longer have to rely on a person to be physically onsite to load different tapes for me when I need them. With the results we have seen, I am happy we selected UBD.”

Electronic Storage Corporation, founded in 1989, is the creator of LaserVault document management and backup and recovery software products, designed for seamless integration, ease of use, scalability and affordability. LaserVault software gives your business instantaneous access to critical business records and secure data protection. LaserVault solutions are used by small to large businesses representing many industries, including: hospitality, financial, insurance, manufacturing, distribution, telecommunications, government, wholesale, retail, hospitals, pharmaceutical, construction, education, and utility companies.