Data Backup Digest

Having originally come together in 2007, the team with Backblaze has been devoted to the niche of online data backup services. With software that is compatible with both Windows and Mac environments, and experience in both consumer and enterprise-level data backup, it’s safe to say that the experts a Backblaze know their industry just as well as, if not even more so, than their competitors. With that in mind, the next step for Backblaze was to enter the game of a cloud service meant for use in the development of new web applications, the storage of massive datasets and similar activities.

Enter Backblaze’s B2 Cloud Storage. A platform featuring object-based storage, B2 Cloud Storage provides comprehensive scalability, long-term data storage and retrieval as well as highly competitive pricing. In fact, the Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage platform, at the time of this writing, is officially the world’s most inexpensive cloud storage option.

Per their current pricing model, prices for their B2 service start at half a penny per gigabyte per month. Combine this with free uploads, downloads at five centers per gigabyte and no penalties for data access, and their current competitors cannot even come close.

Backblaze touted their new B2 cloud solution in a recent blog post by stating: “Everyone needs storage. Everything from Artificial Intelligence to virtual reality, drones, 3D video, Internet of Things, live video, connected medicine, all of it needs storage. And lower-cost storage means more companies can launch world-changing products and offer better experiences at lower costs and higher margins. It’s a virtuous cycle. And we think that Backblaze B2 can help.”

However, Backblaze certainly has their work cut out. Facing stiff competition from the likes of Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure, Amazon S3 and a plethora of others, the team with Backblaze needs to stay diligent. They’re hoping that the low cost of their B2 service, which is currently one-fourth that of Amazon’s S3 service, will be enough to put the spotlight on themselves.

Regarding the low price point of the B2 service, Gleb Budman, Backblaze’s co-founder and chief executive officer, said: “Whether it’s for hosting websites or building applications, all these different things, the key thing is our pricing is dramatically, dramatically lower.”

Budman concluded his interview by pointing out the fact that users could, in theory, use a combination of Amazon’s S3 and Backblaze’s B2. Moreover, the Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage service could even be used as a failsafe option in the event of service outages with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Storage or Microsoft Azure.

At the time of this writing, the Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage solution is not yet available to the general public. However, the company has initiated a private beta phase of the new service. According to reports, Backblaze expects to launch the service by the end of 2015.

For more information regarding Backblaze, the brand new Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage solution or any of their other services, please refer to their official website at www.backblaze.com.