Lockstep Releases Backup for Workgroups(TM) Version 2.6 Improved Support for Data Storage Options and Rotation.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Lockstep Systems Inc. today announced the release of Backup for Workgroups version 2.6, an upgrade to its flagship disk-based backup and disaster recovery software utility for Windows servers and desktops. New functionality centers on improved support for managing backup data and rotating hard drive storage devices.

Backup for Workgroups 2.6 now tracks and reports the amount of storage space consumed by each Backup Client, allowing administrators to better manage storage media. Information includes the total bytes backed up, redundant bytes, and the net storage size (with compression and single file storage taken into account). Administrators can also easily rotate storage media at any time to conform with best-practice off-site storage practices.

Backup for Workgroups allows IT consultants, resellers and VARs to offer customers a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use backup and disaster recovery solution that takes advantage of the many affordable disk-based, external storage devices available today. Overall benefits include not only a lower price than competitive products, but faster backup times, easy data recovery options and less daily maintenance.

Ron Ryan of Clients First Business Solutions stated, "As an IT consulting company that designs, installs and supports small business networks in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we have found Backup for Workgroups to be the best disk-based backup program for Windows servers and workstations out there. It's simple, powerful, fast and easy to use. It completely eliminates the backup scheduling and operational problems we normally had with tape backups. As a result, we have already converted two-thirds of the networks we support, including our own, from Veritas Backup Exec to Backup for Workgroups. It's a one-stop backup solution."

AGUK Solutions Ltd., a full-service Web hosting and solution provider in the United Kingdom, includes Backup for Workgroups in their product offerings as the premier backup utility. "Our clients love Backup for Workgroups," stated Andrew Gambles, director of AGUK Solutions Ltd. "After the initial demonstration, customers are amazed and cannot wait to get the installation completed. Once set up, Backup for Workgroups can be left to automatically perform backups without user intervention." AGUK Solutions Ltd. also uses Backup for Workgroups as their own internal backup solution. "We use Backup for Workgroups ourselves to backup all our employee desktop and laptop machines as well our Windows 2003 servers. After the initial backup, all subsequent backups are extremely quick and make little impact on overall network traffic. The amount of space saved using the centralized Data Repository is amazing compared to the old multi-disc DVD backups we used to make."

Brian Zifkin of Network Consulting Services manages the IT Department for a radiation oncology treatment center in Toledo, Ohio. Backup for Workgroups is utilized to selectively restore system files that become corrupted during routine software updating procedures. "Every time our software vendor has a new rollout, the new update will crash the Windows 2000 server. Backup for Workgroups has been used many times to restore the system files altered by the update, allowing us to quickly become operational again," stated Zifkin. "It's not if you have a system crash, but when. And when you do, Backup for Workgroups can save you too."

Pricing and Availability

Backup for Workgroups 2.6 can be purchased direct from Lockstep Systems' Web site or from any authorized Lockstep reseller. A 30-day trial version is available for download from http://www.backup-for-workgroups.com. The trial software allows for the backup of 10 Windows computers and includes the ability to try any of the Add-On products, including the Open File Add-On. Pricing: Backup Clients start at $99 per client, with volume discounts at 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 clients. Open File Add-On licenses start at $199 each, with volume discounts available for any quantity after one. Partner and reseller inquiries welcome.

About Lockstep Systems

Lockstep Systems Inc. is a leading manufacturer of disk-based backup and disaster recovery software designed especially for small and midsize businesses. Our family of backup products includes Backup for Workgroups, the industry standard in disk-based, client/server backup for networked Windows Servers, MS-SQL Servers, Exchange Servers, Active Directory and Windows workstations, and Backup for One, the disk-based backup utility for individual and home Windows computers. Lockstep Systems is a privately held company located in Scottsdale, Ariz., founded by the team who developed the backup software now known as Computer Associates' BrightStor Mobile Backup.

Lockstep Systems Inc., P.O. Box 1906, Scottsdale, AZ 85252. Telephone [phone]. Fax [phone]. Toll-free (in United States) 877-932-3497. Backup product URL: http://www.backup-for-workgroups.com. Company URL: http://www.lockstep.com. Lockstep Systems is a registered trademark and Backup for Workgroups is a trademark of Lockstep Systems Inc.